WESTERLO — Garner Furman died suddenly on Sunday May 17, 2020. He was 8 years old.

“Garner was a happy child with a brilliant mind and an old soul, looking at life in the most literal sense,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He would often talk about his future as a farmer on his Pop Pop’s land down to the very last detail — the crops he would plant, tractors he would own, and the animals grazing in the fields.

“If you asked him what he wanted for a snack, instead of candy or cookies, he would ask for red peppers and kale, anything fresh from the garden. He wanted to be a hunter and a fisherman, loved the outdoors and at any given time, would sing ‘A Country Boy Can Survive’ at the top of his lungs.

“Garner had an eagle eye for classic cars, could identify any make and model, and dreamed of one day restoring a Chevy C-10. There was no construction vehicle he was not an expert on and would eagerly share his knowledge with those around him.

“He was a sentimental collector of everything from rocks to his toy tractors. Although he would rather be on the farm than anywhere else, it didn’t stop him from exploring new adventures. He overcame a fear of the ocean last year and discovered a love of boogie-boarding while on family vacation.”

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 Garner Furman is survived by his mother, Kelly May, and her fiancée, Mark Case; by his father, Benji Furman, and his wife, Rachel; by his brothers, Boden and Benji Furman Jr. and his step-brother Joseph Galea.

He is also survived by his maternal Mimi and Pop Pop, Konrad and Susan May, and by Papa Gord and Grandma Robin Furman; and by his aunts, Krista May and Tracey Furman, and Donnie Pitcher as well as by many cousins, aunts and uncles.

His Nana, Bonnie Lee Schmidt, died before him.

A private memorial service has been planned for close friends and family. “The family has been overwhelmed with love,” the tribute said, “and is eternally grateful to the community that has lifted them up.”

“There will forever be a tractor-sized hole in the hearts of his family and friends,” his family wrote. A memorial scholarship fund has been created to provide an annual scholarship to children that have a passion for farming and agriculture. Checks may be made out to Garner Furman Scholarship Fund and sent to Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District, Attention: Renee Sherwin, District Treasurer 1738 Helderberg Trail, Berne, NY 12023.