GO FUND ME: JAYTHETREEMAN

JAY PLANTING A BALSAM FIR TREE

Tuesday, 9:00 AM.  25 degrees F at the ferry dock, 24 on the back porch.  Wind W, mostly calm with light to moderate gusts.  The sky is again overcast and cloudy, the humidity 86%,  after several inches of snow fell last night.  The barometer is rising, now at 29.68".  The forecast calls for more of the same weather for the week ahead, with overcast skies, chances of snow flurries and temperatures in the teens and twenties.

   I was informed yesterday that a Go Fund Me site has been established in memory of Jay Cablk, owner of Jay's Tree Care, who tragically died in a terrible accident on the job a week ago. A number of Almanac readers have already contributed directly to Jay's final expenses.  For those who have not and may still wish to do so, please use the Go Fund Me account.  A friend of Jay and Carrie, Cheryl Hanson, wrote the following:

We are all struggling to offer support to Jay's wife Carrie and son Sam.  Now we can each in our own way offer much needed financial support.   Just as Jay touched each of us with his spirit we can impact his family by our donations.
Jay lost his life doing work he loved Monday morning, January 23, 2017.  He was an incredible man who had a generous and kind heart.   

   Jay moved to the Chequamegon Bay area in 1993 to attend Northland College. He was very active in many outdoor activities including whitewater paddling, camping, hiking. This is where he met his life partner and soul mate, Carrie Linder.

Jay was born in Munising, Mich., the son of Martha and Robert Cablk. Always a smile on his face, Jay's childhood friends called him “Smiley.” It was growing up in the wilds of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with his parents and only brother Lance where he learned many of the skills and abilities that made him the man he came to be. Whether it was paddling to and off the edge of a waterfall, scrambling along a trail, diving into a cold body of water or debating a topic that was so very important to him, Jay lived exploring the edge in all aspects of life.

   Jay started his business, Jay's Tree Care, after attending college. He was an amazing climber; to watch Jay moving from branch to branch in the tree canopy was a sight to behold. His regard for trees was apparent as he would often encourage people to save and care for their tree rather than just cut it down. Jay was a proud member of the Mason Area Ambulance Service, where he served his community as an EMT for over 16 years.

   Jay and Carrie lived outside of Ashland in a home they built together along with friends and family. They lived close with the land, growing produce, tending sheep and chickens and enjoying the space and freedom of the place they called home. His son, Samuel Jay, was born in 2010 and was the light of his life.

He is survived by his wife, only son, parents, brother, nephew Eli and many aunts, uncles and cousins. To know Jay was a gift; he will be missed by many.

   A celebration of life was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at the Bayfield Pavilion. Over 500 friends attended.

   Cheryl Hanson, friend

https://www.gofundme.com/jaythetreeman