One of the APA greats, Dave Peat APA 247, closed his last typecase quietly and peacefully on Christmas Day 2020. He died with his wife Mary at his side, holding his hand, surrounded by all the warmth of his family. Dave’s passions, not only for type and letterpress, but all of his multi-faceted hobbies and interests, was infectious and stimulating to all who knew him. He was the consummate collector of all things letterpress, from Victorian type and specimen books, to presses large and small, to all of the printing tools, advertising pieces, trinkets and doo-dads associated with our esoteric hobby.

He immersed himself in all of it, as every corner of his home attests to. And Dave combined this passion with tremendous knowledge, full of detail on our heritage as printers, and he passed that knowledge and passion on to others with his wonderful sense of humor.

What a rich friendship he gave to so many of us, myself especially. He taught us to live your passions fully. Dave, you will be sorely missed but remembered deeply. Rest well, my friend.

I just learned in a reply from Bill Soucy, to Jim Daggs death notice, that Neil Giroux, #676, has also recently passed from this plane of existence.

I had met Neil just once at a printer’s fair in southern Vermont either just before or just after I joined the APA. We always had plans to get together again in North Adams, MA, but never coordinated the time before he moved to Florida… Neil served as our Mailer from 2013-2014.

His obituary, as it appeared in iBerkshires.com, his old Western Massachusetts local news source:

Born in North Adams to the late Roland and Marian (LeSage). He graduated from St Joseph High School, University of Massachusetts, and Suffolk Law School. He was an Eagle Scout and served in the US Air Force the United States and Japan. 

Neil practiced law in North Adams for over 30 years, served the city of North Adams as a city council member and city solicitor. After closing his law office he worked for the state of Massachusetts as a defender in the Mental Health Unit.

He enjoyed hiking, camping, canoeing, traveling, reading and spending time with his beloved standard poodle Zola.

Neil was a member of the North Adams Rotary, V.F.W., American Legion, Masons and Shriners. As a member of Melha Temple in Springfield, he served as the chief clown and will be remembered marching in many Fall Foliage Parades as OKOK the clown.

Neil also was a hobby printer and member of the Amalgamated Printers Association.

Retiring to Florida he became an Ombudsman advocating for the residents of long-term facilities. Neil was a strong believer in advocating for those who were unable to advocate for themselves, adhering to the law and the Constitution of the United States of America.

He leaves his wife Barbara (Sheppard) of 53 years and daughter Arleigh, son and son-in-law Neil Caverley, sister in law Deborah, nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Roland jr and Wayne. 

He was laid to rest at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. Donations may be made to ACLU or the Shriners. 

You can see the full obituary and leave condolences at this link:
https://www.iberkshires.com/obituaries/14420/NeilGiroux.html&source=obits_block

It is with a sad heart that I announce the loss of Jim Daggs, #695 of Ackley Publishing, Ackley, Iowa.  Jim was always a great contributor to the monthly bundles and of course the driving force behind the fully letterpress printed annual Membership Directory from 2001 to 2018. His constant contributions to the bundles will be missed and the help and encouragement he gave to others is a great loss to the letterpress community. Jim joined the APA in 1999, then served as a Board Director from 2007-2008, Vice President from 2009-2010 and President from 2011-2014. He ended his service to the group as Mailer from 2017-2018.

There is a limited obituary as quoted below:

Obituary for Jim Daggs

Jim Daggs, age 64, long-time business owner and former Mayor of Ackley, passed away Friday, October 2, 2020 at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. No services are planned at this time.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jim Daggs please visit our Sympathy Store.

You can leave condolences at the Tribute Wall on the funeral home website at:

https://www.woodleyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Jim-Daggs/#!/TributeWall

I just saw posted on the LETPRESS list that Tara Bryan has passed away. She was a member of the APA from about 1989 until 218.  Here is her obituary and a link to the site as well:

Tara T Bryan was born in Cuero, Texas on October 14, 1953 to Marilyn Jean (Brantley) and Andrew Jackson Tidwell. She passed away peacefully on September 29, 2020.

An award-winning book artist, painter, and teacher, she influenced many in the painting and book arts community in Newfoundland and across North America. Her honors include being elected into Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts for Book Design (2012), the Alcuin Award for Book Design (2018), and the 2010 Long Haul Award (VANL). “Aftermath (cracking up)”, one of her iconic iceberg paintings, was selected as the image for permanent placement on the exterior facade of the St. John’s Convention Center.

She collaborated with artists and writers in the Province and across North America including Di Dabinett, Luben Boykov, Elena Popova, Kevin Major, Anne Meredith Barry, and many others. Her work was included in many exhibitions across Canada, the USA, and abroad.

Tara’s volunteer and community work included being on the boards of Eastern Edge Gallery, VANL-CARFAC, and the Arts & Letters Committee for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. A mentor to many, she generously shared her knowledge and her incomparable skills in book design and painting to many artists, and school children through the ArtsSmarts program, the Anna Templeton Centre, private classes, and innumerable workshops at St. Michael’s Printshop. She was always willing to share her knowledge generously to help artists or book makers move forward with their work.

In the last few years, she spent a lot of time in Wesleyville where she bought her little red house and spent time working with fellow artists, teaching, and mentoring others, and walking on the beach with her dogs.

She is survived by her husband, George Jenner, sister, Teresa Tidwell (Catherine) of Maryland, and brother, Terran Tidwell (Janis) of Oklahoma, and good friends too many to count. She will be dearly missed by all.

Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Tara’s favorite organizations: Doctors without Borders, Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, Dr H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation or the charity of your choice.

https://www.carnells.com/?obituaries=tara-t-bryan

With the hearty support of the Board, I declare Jim Daggs a Tramp Printer. This means Jim will receive bundles without the printing requirement. He may, if able, continue to print for the bundle.

Click on any image below for a larger view

In addition we are dedicating the November bundle to honor the achievements of Jim Daggs. Among the many items in the large bundle, I would love to see many “reprints” of Jim’s bundle pieces. If Jim has a special place in your thoughts, produce a bundle piece and share. Jim is a former President of APA, mailer, and VP. The Printers Hall in Mt. Pleasant IA owes Jim a great debt. Many have benefited from Jim’s Heidelberg Windmill manuals. Other helpful references Jim has produced include literature on the Linograph as well as Linotype. Jim also produced letterpress printed directories for the APA for many years.

Let’s make an effort to show Jim our appreciation.

Joe Warren
APA President