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Freeville, New York

Many of us met a spunky old man by the name of Bernie Potter while watching the Lords of the Gourd in 2007. Bernie caught everyone's attention when he used a carpenters steel tape measure to check his pumpkins daily OTT measurement. He also melted many hearts when he gave his " I want to grow a 1000 pounder before I cash in my chips" in the documentary.
Bernie passed away at the age of 86 on Sunday, May 25th after having a massive stroke on Tuesday May, 20th. He wasn't able to grow his 1000 pounder but did grow a personal best of 872.8 in 2005 at Cooperstown. He was instrumental in starting the pumpkin weigh-off in Cortland,NY @ the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest. Bernie was a great friend, fierce competitor, inspiration to myself / other growers and just loved growing pumpkins.
My condolences to the Potter family from Matt VerSchnmeider and Family.

5/28/2008 10:46:17 PM

Apple Hill. CA.

How sad! God Bless Bernie and his family!

5/28/2008 10:49:15 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

I think we all were rooting for Bernie last season, after seeing that video. I think Dick Wallace even put a post out wanting his address. He was going to send him seeds, because he wanted to see him grow his thousand pounder!

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Potter family at this time of sadness.

5/28/2008 10:54:50 PM

[email protected]

My heart goes out to Bernie's family. He seemed so sweet in the documentary and simplified what we all are after. God Bless Bernie, the New York boys lost a good one with Bernie.

5/28/2008 11:21:30 PM

California

im saddened to hear this. he seemed like such a fine person in the lords of the gourd. if the world had more people like bernie the world would be a much better place. my condolences to the potter family.

5/29/2008 1:21:28 AM

Wood River, IL ([email protected])

I really enjoyed Mr. Potter, he seemed like a guy you would want to spend the day with. What a inspiration! May God Bless Bernie, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Potter family.

5/29/2008 5:01:45 AM

Wood River, IL ([email protected])

I really enjoyed Mr. Potter, he seemed like a guy you would want to spend the day with. What a inspiration! May God Bless Bernie, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Potter family.

5/29/2008 5:01:46 AM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

Our thoughts are with the Potter Family.

5/29/2008 5:27:45 AM

Rhode Island

at times you need only look and listen to someone and they steal your heart.
mr. potter was one such person. god bless him and his family.
im naming my 1068 offspring this year "BERNIE" in his memory
pap

5/29/2008 5:33:50 AM

Sparta, NC

My prayers are with the Potter family.

5/29/2008 6:05:37 AM

Somerset Ky

my prayers are with the potter family .

5/29/2008 6:26:37 AM

Somerset,Ky

May GOD BLESS the Potter Family. Bernie will be missed.

John Van Hook

5/29/2008 7:47:57 AM

[email protected]

Prayers are with the Potter family.

5/29/2008 7:51:59 AM

Western NY

I enjoyed meeting him in 2005, he was a great guy and loved growing as much as anyone else here. He will definitely be missed.

5/29/2008 8:04:03 AM

Somers, CT

My condolences to the Potter family. He won me over in the video. We will say a prayer for him.

5/29/2008 9:29:37 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Our condolences go out to the Potter family. I hope he is hanging out with Howard and the other greats that have passed on.

5/29/2008 9:32:43 AM

Grants Pass, Oregon

My prayers are with the Potter Family..

5/29/2008 9:38:41 AM

Paradise Mountain, New York

Our thoughts are with the Potter Family.

5/29/2008 9:40:41 AM

Western NY

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2008/05/former_state_fair_director_die.html

5/29/2008 10:26:21 AM

Mastic Beach, New York

Sorry to hear the loss, my thoughts are with the Potter Family.I know what they are feeling,loss my grandma this week

5/29/2008 11:33:14 AM

Littleton, Colo

Very sad...I have to agree with Bohica Tom.....prayers to the Potter family .. Jim

5/29/2008 12:34:27 PM

San Luis Obispo, Ca.

Wow! Another great is gone! God Bless!

5/29/2008 12:44:37 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

My condolences go out to the Potter family.
Sincerely,
Doug Wallace

5/29/2008 2:34:43 PM

Schenectady,New York

My condolences and prayers go out to the Potter family.

5/29/2008 2:37:51 PM

Minnesota

My condolences to the potter family, I really enjoyed him in the movie.

5/29/2008 3:09:33 PM

Cazenovia, New York

I first met Bernie about 6 years ago at a very small weigh-off in Cortland. Bernie is a true gentlemen and will be missed by the many whom have had the fortune to meet him. Bernie for many years was our guy to beat. He like the fact that us new growers looked up to Bernie with the "some day I'm going to beat him" attitude. For those who saw him in the documentary, that was Bernie, kind hearted, loved life, his family and growing giant pumpkins. God Bless Bernie and my condolences to the entire Potter family.
Rob Spearing - Cazenovia

5/29/2008 4:12:41 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

I like the steel tape story, being a woodworker I wouldn't do it any other way, I'm Sorry I never met Bernie.

5/29/2008 5:40:25 PM

South Dakota

sorry to hear! My thoughts and prayers go out to the Potter family! Kevin

5/29/2008 5:56:58 PM

Nicholls Georgia

may god bless his family in this time of need he reminded me of my grand daddy.

5/29/2008 6:27:34 PM

[email protected]

Our Prayers to Mr Potter's family. Rest In Peace Mr. Potter.

5/29/2008 6:49:41 PM

Cuyler New York

may God bless Bernie and his family he really lived life too its fullest! Mark

5/29/2008 7:40:49 PM

ordinary,VA

Prayers are with the Potter family.I enjoyed very much watching him on LOTG.

5/29/2008 8:41:51 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

My prayers and condolences. Erin

5/29/2008 8:48:06 PM

So. Maine

Our condolences to all of the Potter family . AL

5/29/2008 10:06:06 PM

Santa Rosa California

my condolences go to bernie

5/29/2008 10:12:48 PM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

Our prayers go out to their family, he truly grew to enjoy as was evident in the video. Kirk

5/30/2008 6:39:59 AM

i, too had thought to get ahold of Mr. Potter and
offer-up a great seed or two to enable him in his
quest for the 1,000-pounder after seeing the LOTG video.
i wish like heck i had done so--Truxton is only about
15 miles from me. my condolences to the Potters and
everyone who knew him personally---my leg almost got
smushed at the Cortland weighoff as we put his 800-something onto a pickup truck. wish i were there once
again, and had gotten to know him better---eric gerry

5/30/2008 6:54:20 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Peace and Grace to the Potter family. Peace, Wayne

5/30/2008 10:41:37 PM

Maine

I just joined this site to read all of your wonderful messages about my father-in-law, Bernie Potter. Thank you all so much. It means a lot that folks far and wide, especially in the "pumpkin" family have us in your thoughts and prayers. It may please you all to know that giant pumpkin seeds were available to all who attended his memorial service, with the challenge to pass on his zest for life and his love for his neighbor (his neighborhood includes all of you.) But a greater challenge was to grow a 1000 pounder for bernie! I may try, at least I'll plant and tend them, but not only do I not have the expertise you all do, but the woodchuck who lives in the back yard may have other ideas! Thanks again for all your support. = Brenda, Bernie's daughter in law.

6/1/2008 10:24:56 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Our condolences to the Potter family. Good luck with the plants Brenda. Post a message here on the board if you need any help throughout the season.

Phil & Jane

6/3/2008 8:22:38 AM