Friday, this writer received a phone call that he knew was coming, but that did not make it any easier. Ginny Akabane called to inform me that my good friend and mentor, George Darey, had passed away. When I last saw Gig, a week ago, we was struggling. Relying on oxygen, his voice was weak, and he would drift off as we visited. When the topic was a bird cover, however, his eyes came to life and he asked me for a map so he could make sure that I knew where the cover he was describing was located.
Gig was a close friend of my late father, John E. Roche Jr., and the two men found they shared a passion for hunting when they both worked as teachers at the new Ralph C. Mahar Regional School when it opened in the fall of 1957. That shared love led them to join forces and found the Mahar Fish’N game Club at the school, a club that still exists to this day.
Many times, he reminded me that he would convince my father that I should be allowed, at age 6, to accompany them on their daily bird hunts. He also never let me forget that most days he would carry me out of the woods at the conclusion of the hunt and my sleeping head would bob as he lugged me to the car.
Our lives became closely intertwined when I became a member of the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board in 1986. He was instrumental in my being appointed by Governor Mike Dukakis and was serving as Board Chairman, a post he held until he left the Board two years ago. Being able to work with this unique, passionate and dedicated conservationist was life-changing for me. To watch and learn from him was a life lesson every day.
Many other lessons were learned in the many times that we shared bird hunting deer hunting adventures. And, believe me, every outing was indeed an adventure. His lifetime of hunting grouse, woodcock, deer and red fox educated Gig to a status few, if any could equal. Deer hunting in the 1980s from his base in Lenox was a highlight of my hunting life. His ability to “get deer going” was legendary. If he found a buck track in the snow. More often than not, he or someone in the hunting party would be tagging that deer with a few hours. Looking back, I marvel at what was accomplished without today’s technology of two-way radios and GPS. Gig would tell everyone where to take a stand, or “post” and he would then take up the track and somehow get the deer to go where he predicted. He once told me that his fox hunting, which begun as a young man, was key as both deer and foxes use the same crossings and trails when pressured. He would give you a landmark or two like, “past the beaver pond,” “at the base of the mountain” or “on the good run” and you better be there! Leaving your stand was a capital offense!
Upland bird hunting, particularly hunting woodcock with his excellent string of Brittanys, was what really fired him up. He was selected to turn in wings for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s data survey. He took and sent them so may wings that one day he received a call from the leader of the survey team who requested a meeting. He wanted to meet the man who has so mastered the art and science of hunting “timberdoodles.”
His many accomplishments as Board chairman have been chronicled here. Gig was a personal friend of every governor he served, regardless of their political party, and one of his best stories was the turkey hunt with Bill Weld which resulted in the governor killing a nice tom. Gig’s telling of the events that led up to, and followed the kill still make me smile. Gig hosted a “who’s who” of leading conservation and political personalities on woodcock and deer hunts. He would make every day afield interesting and enjoyable and they always featured his infectious grin, particularly after he had pulled a trick on someone.
Gig Darey’s legacy will never be equaled. He led MassWildlife to heights no one could have imagined and to a position of respect and prominence among the countries conservation leaders. During his heyday he raised some of the best foxhounds in the country, won many field trials, and very sought after as a judge, working the most prestigious trials in the U.S. and Canada.
Dr. Steve Williams and I shared a lot of time with the man and heard most of his stories. He was a cross between Forest Gump and the Dos Equis guy. The stories all turned out to be true as over time I met most of the principals and their version was always identical to the details George provided, although not nearly as colorful.
Gig was truly one of a kind. He made a difference in the conservation of Massachusetts’ fish and wildlife issues like no one else. He died 17 years after my father’s passing and I am sure that John and Gig are together reminiscing about bird hunting at Johnny Moore’s or Mark Ward’s. Thanks for all you did, my friend!