CLAUDE MICHAEL FORAND SR.

MORIAH CENTER, N.Y. — Mike Forand was born June 7, 1947, to John Paul and Elaine (Briggs) Forand in Burlington, Vt. Dad passed Saturday, March 25, 2023, at his home.

Dad grew up on the family farm, the youngest of four, in Addison, Vt., and graduated from Vergennes High School in 1966. In 1967, he married his first love, Constance Weddell. They went on to have two children. In April of 1975, Dad moved his family to Moriah, N.Y. to farm at Hill Top Farm. In June of 1978, Dad started logging. He then went back to his love of farming at different farms. Just before retirement, he was working at DuBois Farm in Addison.

Dad also served in the Vergennes Fire Department and Moriah Fire Department.

Dad shot his first deer at the age of 14. When adding up his total of deer, he had said that he shot about 25 deer in his lifetime along with two bears. Around 2007, Dad got the chance to go Moose hunting with his friend Rich Redman. Sadly, they did not get one.

Dad enjoyed riding his motorcycle with the light of his life Joyce Brace. They went everywhere together. Joyce was the only one who could keep Dad in line. Dad was lost without her.

In 2013, Dad set out by himself to Sturgis with his Harley in the back of his truck. He also had a love for flea markets, country music and talking to anyone who would listen. Dad could be found at Boyea’s having coffee, or Mineville Oil visiting with everyone who came in.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, sister Anne Gardener in 2003, brother-in-law Greg Kirby in 2019 and the love of his life, Joyce Brace, in 2010.

Dad leaves behind a sister, Beth Kirby; a brother, John (Mary); and brother-in-law George Gardner; his son, C. Michael Forand Jr. (Hilda); and daughter, Wendy Harper (Sonny); three grandsons, Eric Forand, Jake Shahan and Thomas Forand; and great-grandchildren Eliza, Jayden and Ander. Dad is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dad also leaves behind Joyce’s children (that he considered his own) Dorothy Steitz, Jimmy Brace (Lee) and Judy Bemis (Dean); grandchildren Brian Steitz (Shannon) and Elizabeth McPherson (Chris), James Brace (Samantha), David Brace (Neddy), Hilary Primo (Bobby) and Heather O’Hara (Jake); great-grandchildren Lucas, Azriella, Ariah, Aiden, Harrison, Holden, Hudson, Jenevieve and Journey.

Dad is also survived by his furry children, Rowlf and Annie Oakley. They were his life, and they will miss him dearly. Dad had many friends, near and far.

Dad is now with Joyce. The services will be private at Dad’s request.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Town of Moriah Ambulance or North Country SPCA in Elizabethtown, N.Y.◊