I lost a good friend.

[6wheeler 669]

Hi everyone. I lost a very good friend last night. His name is Brad. He has been a best friend and adopted little brother since we were both just kids. He became my neighbor in 1974 when he was 8 and I was 11. We became friends and hung together even after we both got older. I know you all probably would have never have known him. But, in a way you probably do more than you would think. Brad has been a prototype machinist for TORO in Bloomington, Mn. since 1986. He has probably machined alot of prototype parts and fabricated many different things for these machines we all like. He always said his favorite time was the early Toro/Wheel Horse years. He always said."After the Wheel Horse name was dropped? It seemed like it all changed". His favorite project was the Xi series. They were given an open book on that and ran with it. I don't think there was one part of these Wheel Horse tractors he didn't know the number for or what would interchange with what. If I had a problem I couldn't make work, He would say. "Theres an upgrade for that, let me think about it and I'll get it for ya". If I couldn't get a part? No matter what it was for, He would make it. He was also an avid collector. He had several tractors including some home made tractors and implements. I remember the day I brought home my 520h. He stopped by after work to look at it. And, basically pick it apart. But we got it up and running just fine including some of the "Brad" upgrades he thought it needed. It was kind of funny. He would say, "We should have changed this from the get go". He will be greatly missed by me and I am sure Toro as well.    Pat

[rmaynard 16,432]

Sorry for your loss Pat. 

[JimD 3,347]

I am very sorry for your loss, and the loss of  a friend and supporter of our hobby. Prayers for his family and friends.

[AMC RULES 37,220]

 RIP Brad.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

I am very sorry for the loss of your close friend.

Keep the good times you had together in you thoughts.

[Wheelhorse84 87]

Sounds like he was a great guy. Sorry for your loss.

[Jake Kuhn 1,579]

sorry to hear of your loss.

[racinfool40 203]

Sorry for your loss..Sounds like he was an outstanding Man..Thoughts and Prayers with the Family!

[papaglide 542]

I am sorry for your loss, Pat. Sounds like Brad was a good egg.

[chazm 413]

Sorry for the lost of your good friend ... may he RIP

 

 

Chas

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,551]

Pat,

Sorry for you loss. Sounds like you guys were real close. Now when you work on your tractor you can think...what would Brad tell me to do here and it will come to you. I find myself doing that a lot in various situations when I think about what my dad have said or told me to do. I lost dad this past June 1st and he was way too young to pass.

[Amanda 82]

I'm sorry for your loss

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,460]

Thats sad news Pat, sorry.

Brad was only 48, way to early to leave this earth.

Mike............

[chrisd200(inactive) 56]

Very very sorry to hear this. Seems like this kind of thing happens to often these days. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,254]

Sorry to hear the sad news Pat .   Take Care. 

[groundhog47 347]

Friends like that are who we all admire and follow, his memory will prob never leave you. You were so lucky to have a TRUE FRIEND and I too sorrow at your and his family's loss!

Edited March 28, 2013 by groundhog47

[specialwheelhorse 174]

I have a problem mourning pets and don't know how I would handle a friend like that

At my age i hope my friends outlast me, its just really hard.

As many as we have here on the square I'm sure someone is loosing a very good friend

or parent quit often and my heart goes out to ALL.

                                                                                       Jim

[6wheeler 669]

Thank you to all. The funeral was today. It all went as well as could be expected. There was a particular part of the Eulogy that really got to me. When Brad was 9, he wrote an essay for a class describing his summer. He wrote, This summer I got to play with my new friends. There last name is Jay. There is 6 boys and 1 girl and they are my best friends. They live at the farm by ours. It was fun. Signed Brad. I never knew he wrote that.  His oldest brother mentioned that Brad considered my family (brothers and sister) his immediate family. And best friends ever. His brother then said. That reflects on all of us as well. We wouldn't have thought of anyone better suited for Pall Bearers for our family, than the Jay family. We will extend the same honor to your family when needed. You can never really know how much two families of strangers at first, can become one family.  It was very humbling to me. Treat your friends well. They are probably closer to you than you think.  Thank you for your well wishes in this difficult time.   Pat

[Operator 7]

WOW Pat I just read this!   I'm so sorry for your loss Buddy,   That is the fellow you talked about that had all the neat stuff in his garage - that you were going to let me check out.