by Trail Sweep Staff | Oct 14, 2024 | In Memoriam
James Richard Harrison, of Dalton, MA passed away on Sunday, September 15th, at age 81. Born on September 12, 1943 in Torrington, CT, he was the second eldest child of Donald and Jacqueline Harrison. He graduated from Dalton High School (MA) in 1961. Jim then enlisted in the Army where he served on a missile site in Wiesbaden Germany, near Frankfurt, as a Technical Sergeant.
After his time in the service, Jim returned to Dalton to work at E.D. Jones Beloit in the pulp & paper machinery industry. His 33+ year career included traveling the world, often spending extended time on jobs. Jim visited every continent and hundreds of countries and cities, with unimaginable airline mileage.
Jim was married for 47 years to Ann Louise Zaorski of Lanesborough, MA. She passed away on May 22, 2013 at the age of 70.
Jim is survived by sons James Stanley and wife Michelle of Phoenix, AZ, son Jeffery Donald and wife Wendy of Chandler, AZ and adopted son, Matt Snow and wife Tina of NC, and their children, Madeline, Emily and Zachary, and his Harrison siblings, Bruce, Duncan, Sandra, Heather, Keith, Kenneth, Timothy and their spouses and extended families. He was preceded in death by wife Ann, parents, Donald and Jaqueline, and oldest brother Malcom.
A 42-year member of the National Ski Patrol, Jim joined the Brodie Mountain patrol in 1979 and remained there until Brodie closed in 2002. He moved on to the Butternut Ski Patrol remaining there until 2022 when he retired because of health issues. Jim loved skiing and while he worked three days a week at Butternut, on his two days off he went skiing at Jiminy Peak.
Jim was very much an outdoors enthusiast, enjoying hiking, skiing, camping, and whitewater rafting. He was also a lover of classic cars, and hot rods. He loved to work with his hands, and restored, or built many antique/classic/muscle cars from the ground up. Jim was always up for a challenge and had the engineering mindset as a great problem solver.
He was a brother, father, friend & mentor to many, and his legacy will carry on through the lives of everyone that he has touched throughout the years.
In more recent years, Jim and his fiancé Kay LaViola of Savoy, have been spending time continuing his hobbies with his cars, traveling to Florida, and taking trips in a motorhome to Maine and other locations, as well as a recent trip to Arizona to go to the mountains with his boys.
James was cremated after death, according to his wishes. A memorial service will be planned and announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to Brigham & Women’s Hospital (supportBWH.org) or the Berkshire Humane Society and mailed to Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St., Dalton, MA 01226.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Sep 14, 2024 | In Memoriam
Lori Kennicutt joined Greek Peak Ski Patrol in Cortland, NY when she aged out the kids ski free benefit because her dad, Boyd Kennicutt, was on the Greek Peak Ski Patrol for many years. She then ran the ranks of junior patroller, patroller and finally a senior patroller spending 27 years in the system before retiring from Greek Peak. She took various leadership training courses during her tenure.
After Lori received a degree as a Veterinary Technician from SUNY Delhi, she was the Dog Control Officer for the Town of Union located in Broome County for 31 years. She was also a talented artist with a scathing wit.
Lori suddenly passed away in April 2024. She is sorely missed by her NSP patroller friends, those with whom she skied and befriended.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Sep 14, 2024 | In Memoriam
John D. Hebert Sr., age 76, of Pittsfield passed away at home on May 30, 2024, following a long illness. John will be remembered as a man of many names, The Pencil Man, The Godfather, Nature Boy, Papa J, and The King.
Born in Pittsfield, MA on October 26, 1947, John was a son of the late Leon and Margaret (Stack) Hebert. He was a graduate of Pittsfield High School and earned his associate degree in business from a junior college in Albany, NY.
He spent most of life running his own business, The Pencil Man, where he sold office supplies and furniture. He also was a member of Berkshire Mental Health, now the Brien Center, where he worked as a residential staff member for many years.
He was a member of the National Ski Patrol at Brodie Mountain for over 25 years. He was a great skier and was taught by his father at a young age. He also coached women’s softball and enjoyed sponsoring many teams. John loved golfing and was a longtime member of the GEAA. He even shot a hole-in-one while golfing with his dear friends John and David.
John had a great sense of humor and loved to talk. He had many friends, and he left a lasting impact on all who loved him.
John was the beloved husband of Noreen McNally Hebert, whom he married on October 24, 1996. He was also the brother of Pamela Hebert Sullivan (Timothy) of Pittsfield and Margaret Ann Benson of Chapel Hill, NC; father of John “JD” Hebert, Jr. (Melissa Morin and family) of Lanesboro; grandfather of Taylor Hebert LaRochelle of Dalton; gift-father of Tracey Schaeffer (Chuck) and Quentin Brown (Fahmi Rahmani); and gift-grandfather of Bailey Schaeffer, George, Isabella, and Clyde Brown. John was predeceased by his brother Lee Arthur Hebert.
The Hebert family wishes to send a special thank you to John’s CNA Rosa Ramirez who has taken excellent care of him and his wife Noreen.
Friends were invited to join the family for visitation at the Devanny-Condron Funeral Home on June 6, 2024 from 10-11:30am. A Liturgy of Christian Burial followed at St. Charles Church. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John’s memory may be made payable to “Hospice Care of the Berkshires” and mailed to the funeral home at 40 Maplewood Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201
by Trail Sweep Staff | Sep 14, 2024 | In Memoriam
Leland “Lee” Palmer began his skiing career as an outdoor family activity at Greek Peak Ski Resort in Cortland, NY. His National Ski Patrol volunteer career included being a patroller, a senior patroller, an assistant patrol leader, and assisting with the candidates and their training.
Being incredibly resourceful, a salt of the earth person who built his own house, he contributed heavily of his own time and from his business in support of the Greek Peak Ski Patrol. Lee was on the swim team and graduated from Vestal High School, Vestal, NY and Alfred State University. He served in the Coast Guard until his father fell ill and he was discharged to home. At that time he took over the family business of McCormick’s Paint and Wallpaper in Binghamton, NY where he worked until his retirement.
Additionally, Lee worked as a chauffeur for a few years after he retired transporting people from the Binghamton area to New York City, and locally for the BC Open Golf Tournament. He enjoyed boating, camping, golfing, and NASCAR.
Lee passed away in 2020 at 69 years old. He is heartily missed by his NSP patroller friends, those with whom he skied and befriended.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Sep 14, 2024 | In Memoriam
Mr. Ralph L. Gates, 98, of The Brennity in Vero Beach, FL, passed away Monday, June 17, 2024, at home peacefully with his family at his side. Ralph was born in Worcester, MA to the late Walter O. Gates and Amy Gates.
Ralph served in World War II as a sonar operator in the US Navy, where he was stationed in the Philippines. After the war he attended and graduated from Clark University in Worcester, MA. While there he met his wife-to-be Marguerite “Peggy” Bliss (deceased in 2015) and their marriage together spanned 68 years.
Ralph was a school teacher in Wilmington, VT, and later had a long career with the General Electric Co. in Pittsfield, MA, retiring in 1985 as a Program Manager with Ordnance Systems Division.
Ralph and Peggy became seasonal residents of the Treasure Coast in 1988 coming. They first lived in Spanish Lakes Country Club Village before moving to Cambridge Park, which led them to The Brennity at Pointe West as full time residents. Ralph was a member of the Community Church in Vero Beach.
He was an avid downhill skier and was a proud member of the National Ski Patrol at several ski areas around Pittsfield, MA. After retiring he also enjoyed playing golf. Ralph and Peggy also enjoyed square and round dancing for many years.
Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Richard W. Gates and Eileen Gates of Blandford, MA and David A. Gates and Louise Gates of Surry, NH; grandchildren, Audrey Gates and Gregory Gates and his wife Alicia Gates; and great-grandchildren Desmond Gates and Theia Moon Gates. Ralph is also survived by his dear friend, Bess Ginopolous of Vero Beach.
The family will be holding a private gathering in Massachusetts to honor the life of Ralph. Memorial contributions can be made to Community Church, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or the National Ski Patrol.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Jun 27, 2024 | Division News, Program News, Spotlight Articles
CERTIFIED BOOT CAMP
HOLIDAY MOUNTAIN, NY – Friday, August 16 – Sunday, August 18
For full information: https://www.patrollerschool.org/events/events/certified-boot-camp-2023-mt-bethel-pa-2/
Join us at Holiday Mountain Ski & Fun Park in Monticello, NY, for a gathering of like-minded Ski Patrollers in a rustic camping environment, all looking to learn about the Certified program and enhance or broaden their patroller skill set. The goal this season is “deep dive into lift evac.” The certified program modules that will be covered at this event will be:
- Lift Evacuation
- Outdoor Risk Management
- Avalanche
- Low Angle Rescue
- OEC Assessment, Skill & MCI Scenarios
OVERALL AGENDA
Boot Camp provides:
- Friday — 4:00-6:00 pm – Arrival & Camp Set-up
- Friday — 7:00 pm Meeting
- Breakfast and Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Saturday is BOOT CAMP training Day
- Dinner Saturday Night
- Bonfire — FUN
ENHANCED PATROLLER SCHOOL
SWAIN MOUNTAIN, NY – Friday, September 13 – Sunday, September 15
For full information: https://www.patrollerschool.org/events/divi-home/certified-program/
This event is low pressure — you can learn, have fun, and network with other patrollers from all around the division. It is open to any currently registered member of NSP, candidate through Certified. It is a hands-on, get dirty, get bloody, play with different gear event. Typical included modules include:
- Lift evacuation
- Low angle rope rescue,
- OEC assessment and skill building,
- ORM discussions,
- An MCI drill with outside EMS agencies.
Patroller School provides:
- Great food all three days,
- An easy-going, no pressure learning environment,
- Looking at many different ways to meet an objective.
What you need to bring:
- An open mind,
- Gear that you would like to show off or work with,
- Your first aid pack with gloves and supplies.
Rough agenda:
- Friday — 1:00 pm – Arrival, registration, and camp set up
- Friday — 3:00-6:00 pm – Knot tying and open topics
- Friday evening — Fire pit discussion
- Saturday — Module station rotations
- Saturday evening — MCI discussions and planning and ifre pit discussions
- Sunday — MCI drill and feedbac from multiple points of view
by Trail Sweep Staff | Jun 24, 2024 | Division News, In Memoriam, Spotlight Articles
Florence ‘Floss’ KirknerFlorence A. Kirkner of Orchard Park, NY, passed away on May 1, 2024, at the age of 99. We all knew her as an inveterate volunteer, not just for NSP but on multiple levels as is shown by the awards she received from numerous organizations.
Floss joined the ski patrol in 1949 in the Far West Division where she served for 10 years. She was the co-patrol leader at Donner Ski Ranch, Soda Springs, CA from 1956-1960 and served as the first aid chair in the North Bay Region from 1950-1960. She was one of the first women in the NSP to take Monty Atwater’s Avalanche Patch course earning Patch #82. She felt the information contained in the Atwater Avalanche Patch course was so important that she began to teach other patrollers the basics of avalanche rescue at fall freshers.
She was a schoolteacher with curriculum development skills and along with other Atwater trained patrollers, began the development of a basic avalanche course to extend to all NSP patrollers. The basic course would become the NSP Circle A course and would be a steppingstone to the Atwater Avalanche Patch course which was more advanced and dangerous.
In around 1964 Floss took the Avalanche Instructor Course becoming National Avalanche Instructor #224. Having moved east she immediately became the Western New York Avalanche Advisor. For the next 36 years she maintained her certification teaching Circle A, Basic Avalanche, and Level 1 Avalanche. From 1999 through 2005 she was an Avalanche Instructor Trainer.
Floss tirelessly planned and conducted courses on ski slopes in New York State and on the Lake Erie sand dunes in Canada. Her innovation in using the dunes allowed courses to be taught at all times of year. The dunes proved remarkably well suited for probe lines and burial of simulated victims. She incorporated into her courses, dramatic films of various avalanche types, pre-course assignments, written training materials, and homework assignments. Probe lines were an integral part of her courses. In later years, she added transceiver work. Floss always included an optional overnight camping component for added learning and camaraderie among the patrollers taking the course who came from various patrols. Not only did this create a unity among the patrollers from the various ski areas but also a standardization of skills, such that these avalanche-trained patrollers could be called on to help if needed anywhere in a region or a division.
From 1976 through 1987, Florence Kirkner became involved with at the time a program called “Junior Patroller,” the program, now known as the “Young Alpine Patroller.” She understood that the future of the NSP was in recruitment of new members. A great source of new members could be found in the children of current members. The children would have most likely been at the ski area when their parent or parents were on duty, so why not create a program for these young people. As a schoolteacher it was only natural for her to get involved. She taught and helped develop 11 Division “Junior Seminars” and five National “Junior Seminars’ during her 11 years involved with the program.
Floss was very involved with her Town of Orchard Park, its YMCA, Girl Scouts of America, and the American Red Cross. She received a special award from the Canadian Ski Patrol, a Girl Scout Green Angel Award, a Volunteer of the Year from the YMCA, and a Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year from Orchard Park, NY.
Floss was the recipient of numerous awards from NSP including National Appointment #84, Distinguished Service and Meritorious Service Awards, three Yellow Merit Stars, a Purple Merit Star, and an Orange Merit Star for training military personnel. She was inducted into the NSP Hall of Fame and received proclamations from President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, United States Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Congressman Langworth, and NYS Governor Kathy Hochul.
Floss was the beloved wife of the late Bruce F. Kirkner; dearest mother of Nancy L. Kirkner and the late Robin D. Kirkner; grandmother of Jessica (Jeff) Meadors, Jacob (Jamie) Hill, Sara (James) McCarty, and Traci (Ty) Douthirt; great-grandmother of 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service was held Saturday, May 11 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Orchard Park, NY. Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 6595 East Quaker St., Orchard Park, NY 14127 or to Kissing Bridge Ski Patrol, Rte. 240, Glenwood, NY 14069.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Jun 24, 2024 | In Memoriam
Roger E. Hyndman, 87, of Ballston Spa, New York, passed away February 7, 2024, in hospice care, surrounded by his loving family. Roger was born in Buffalo, New York, and was an artist. He was first a teacher and later employed by the State of New York, Department of Education, developing art curricula for public school students. He graduated from SUNY Buffalo, with a BS, and from Syracuse University with a Masters of Fine Arts.
Roger was a member of the National Ski Patrol for over 45 years. He started his patrolling career at Song Mountain in Central New York, and finished his patrol career at West Mountain, in Queensbury, New York. At West Mountain, Roger was a Patrol Director, received Patroller of the Year in 2017, and in later years was a fixture in the Aid Room. He loved working with Young Adult Patrollers. He was a dedicated patroller, a role model for everyone, and will greatly missed by his Patrol Family.
Roger was also an avid outdoorsman, fishing and hunting in the Adirondacks. He was always out on opening day of hunting season with his family. Roger was an Eagle Scout and Boy Scout leader for over 20 years.
Roger is survived by his wife of 66 years, Maureen (Gorman); their sons, Robert (Kathryn), John (Therese), and Thomas; daughter Mary Catherine Sullivan (Stuart); five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
by Trail Sweep Staff | Jun 24, 2024 | In Memoriam
Richard G. Drew, of Malta, New York, passed away suddenly on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the age of 73. He had been a member of the Army National Guard, and was formerly employed by the State of New York, as an investigator for both the Department of Education and Department of State.
Rich was a dedicated patroller first at Labrador Mountain in Central New York, and then at West Mountain in Queensbury, New York, Killington Ski Area in Vermont, and finally at Gore Mountain, in North Creek, New York. He was a patroller for over 39 years, and was an OEC Instructor, OEC Instructor Trainer, OET Instructor, Lift Evacuation Advisor, and Elections Committee Chair for Eastern New York. He had National Appointment Number 11988. He was a lifetime member of the National Ski Patrol.
Rich was an avid outdoorsman, skiing, swimming, boating, and hiking. He loved the Adirondacks and even hiked Machu Picchu in Peru, in his retirement. Growing up in Buffalo, New York, he was an avid Bills fan. He is greatly missed by his Ski Patrol Family. He is survived by his son, Nathan Drew (Ann Dobert), two grandchildren, Henry Drew and Natalie Drew, and his longtime companion, Gigi Barrett.
