Jared Branfman

Jared Branfman, 23 years old, a promising young potter, died at 12:15am Tuesday, September 27th. Jared had been battling cancer heroically for 2 years. This link will take you to my personal website where details of his struggle are written. Jared's father, Steve Branfman, is the owner of The Potter's Shop and school in Massachusetts, as well as the author of "Raku: A Practical Approach" and "Potter's Professional Handbook". Steve was Bracker's very first workshop presenter in March 2002. He brought Jared with him to that workshop. He was such a delightful young man and was himself very talented in clay. Jared was pursuing his BFA in Ceramics at Alfred University when he was first diagnosed in June 2003. Alfred conferred the degree upon him several weeks ago at his home. He certainly was becoming an emerging talent in the ceramic world. It is truly a shame to see such a promising career ended so abruptly. The Branfmans are a Jewish family and although I don't know what the Jewish beliefs are about afterlife, I can'thelp but think of Jared as being in a place of no more pain and suffering, a place where he can work with clay and go cycling and do all the other things that he loves. It comforts me to think of him that way. Yet at the same time, I am overcome by grief and sympathy for dear Steve, Ellen (Jared's mother), and Adam (Jared's younger brother). I continue to pray for them and for their strength throughout the difficult mourning process. I would encourage anyone with a story or fond memory of Jared to post it here. When the time is right, I will collect all the comments and send them to Steve, Ellen & Adam.