Gary Wade: FW Farrier

[kristielee]

While DH and I are not FW campers, per say, one of the highlights of every WDW visit was taking an afternoon and going over to the horse barns and Gary Wade's Blacksmith shop. I cannot begin to tell you how very saddened my DH (also a horseshoer) and I have been to hear of Gary's very early and untimely passing. We just saw him in January.

We first met Gary in 1997 when I was preggers with our first child. My DH had heard that the resident shoer was named Wade ...which ironically is also our last name. Well after about 2 hrs, we'd learned a lot about Gary (who was also from upstate NY...like us), about working for Disney, and he became a regular stop for us on every consecutive WDW visit. Through him, we had the pleasure of seeing the magnificent draft horses and meeting several wonderful FW cms. The last two visits, he absolutely glowed when speaking of his 2 little granddaughters and taking them to the park, and how he never got tired of it.

So to Gary's family please know that if you can read this, you have our very deepest sympathy. We have lost such a special friend and going to WDW will never be quite the same. His presence will be missed not only by us, but by so many who enjoyed getting to know him.

You are in our thoughts and prayers,

Kevin and Kristie Wade

 

[Mac and Us]

We met a ferrier during our trip in early April. He was nice. Our daughter was asking all kinds of questions and he answered them for her. We never caught his name.

When did he pass away? I wonder if he's the one we talked to. How sad.

 

[kristielee]

Gary was 57. I believe he died on March 16th. I first read the posting here on the DIS and then in the Orlando Sentinel. I don't have any other info