On Tuesday, February 28th 2023, Brent Desautel, W1IA, of Derry NH, QSYd to a higher band. He had been suffering from ALS, aka Lou Gehrigs disease, for almost a year. Brent is at peace now; his pain is over. He departed this mortal coil at 3:15PM peacefully and without distress surrounded by his loving XYL, Colleen, WB1ELA, daughter Mary and a few of his closest radio friends with him to see him off at Parkland Hospital in Derry NH.
Brent, W1IA, held the title of Hero of Deerfield along with Jim, N1HTS and Jim W1KQ. The three heroes earned this title, along with lifetime passes, in May 2007 for their tireless and selfless work at NEAR-Fest I. At that first event the Deerfield Fair folks were unable to provide trash removal service which consisted of moving the garbage from the containers located around the grounds to the dumpster. This became our responsibility. Brentina, Jim and Jim stepped forward and volunteered to perform this essential task which they did flawlessly. They gave up their hamfest so the rest of us could enjoy ours.
I can tell you that had they not done this task so well we would probably not have been invited to return to Deerfield in October and later by which time we were able to arrange for this essential task to be done by fairgrounds staff. To put it another way without their sacrifice there would not be a NEAR-Fest.
I will always remember Brentina as he was in this picture, seventeen years ago, having the time of his life, driving his John Deere tractor/cart, along with Jim and Jim, hauling trash to the dumpster and making sure we would be welcome back again in the future.
The next NEAR-Fest will be dedicated to his memory. May he rest in peace.
Thank you Brent, Jim and Jim.
73,
MisterMike, W1RC
Oh, yoo hoo!!!!!
