If you know us you've heard about Henry Leroy. Maybe you've enjoyed the cider we named after him or were lucky enough to meet in person. He worked for decades and for many neighbors here in our Hudson Valley community, put his kids and grandkids through school...and he built a house. The house back in Mandeville that he finally returned to in early October... just days before Melissa hit.

Having lost power three days before the hurricane made landfall, they survived we learned about a week later, though no details came due to miserable conditions. We knew Manchester was among the parishes hardest hit but were waiting to start a fund until the details came. Finally, exactly two weeks later, the phone lines were back up and we learned that the roof was ripped right off the house that Henry/Leroy built. (photos coming) This is to say nothing of the water damage everywhere and all their personal property. The house he was so proud of despite having barely lived in it, since the bulk of his adult life has been spent here working. Over the years he showed me photos of the house and the improvements ongoing, always with a wide grin of satisfaction.

We named our rye barrel-aged cider after Leroy (his middle name because at the time that made the most sense and) because he is king. It's not just that he taught us to prune and that he worked harder than honestly anyone we've ever worked with. It's the way he did it, the bar he set. The way he looked out for everything as if it were his own. Including us -on several occasions when provoked he would advise and talk us down, like a father and a friend.He showed love to all of us eclipsing a more stoic side, having seen his share of injustice.

I will desperately miss talking (or shouting about) current events in the middle of a snow squall over the tops of the trees. Sometimes we would get so fired up talking on the way home it would have looked like we were throwing things if you saw us from a passing car.

A couple years ago he developed diabetes and we would be a little more thoughtful about how much fire was really needed. I hated not being able to bring him jalapeno cheddar scones (tho I could not curb his occasional beer) and learned about how his shopping list changed on our trips to the grocery store.

So yeah he taught us to prune and picked circles around anyone else who tried but there are a multitude of ways we are grateful to him beyond the orchard. 

And even if we can’t look forward to another day of chores together, we’re hopeful there’s a way we can help ease what was supposed to be retirement -what is now a mountain of work. 

For clarity's sake we are Matt and Kim of Metal House Cider and we've known Henry Leroy for going on nine years. Along with other friends from the Hudson Valley who love Henry, we are trying to help raise $20,000 which is the cost of a new roof. Anything remaining would go to replace the solar water heater. Because of international guidelines that don’t include Jamaica, Kim will administer funds directly to Henry once the transfer process is safe to do so.

Help us help a generous and loving father and friend raise his roof again.

If you've enjoyed a glass of Leroy at Kingston Standard or a bottle from time to time, please give what you can. We will also be donating proceeds from all retail sales of Leroy through Christmas. More details soon come.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this and for any donation if you are able.

ps….As I was writing this, I got a call from Henry (first since the storm) with the updates and details about water and food and how part of the solar water heater lifted into the air and exploded from the winds. And how if the eye of the storm hadn’t turned slightly from what was forecast he might not be talking to me now. How thankful he is…. And because I was sitting here at the computer I typed out a couple words he said toward the end.

“For the balance of my life and with the conscience that god give me,

I am thankful for the people I found there.

In my heart I owe you a lot.

I feel with all the devastation with the storm...

When I’m talking to you people that you guys were there for me

it feels so joyful to talk to you”

Oh Henry, you have no idea how much we feel the same.

You always bring the joy and so much we owe to you.