Broken Pipe - Paolo Becker

[pipestud]

I learned this evening that Italian pipe maker Paolo Becker has died. I received the sad news from a good friend of Paolo's who lives in New York. It is ironic because I just sold a Paolo Becker and a Fritz Becker pair of pipes today on eBay. Fritz, of course, was the founder of the brand and carved until his death in the early 1990s. And with the passing today of his son Paolo, that wonderful pipe brand will be no more.
Pipestud

 

[bigboi]

Well that is sad news.

 

[antbauers]

This is truly sad. I saw those two you had listed. I wish I could've gotten them now hearing this. They both made great pipes. Losing Paolo is a great lost for our community. I can only imagine how their family feels. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

 

[graydawn]

Shocked, I'm just shocked by that news. He is one of my favorite carvers. I was under the impression that his son was training under him.
Richard

 

[pipestud]

Howdy Richard,
Yes sir, he does have a son that was training under him and also working with him on the finish out of the pipes me made. I have absolutely no idea whether his son is at the point where he could continue the brand or whether his skill level is where his dad and granddad's were.
Pipestud

 

[daimyo]

Devastating news. While I never met the man, the pipe world is certainly worse off for his passing. A unique and talented carver, RIP.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Heartbreaking news. I have six of Paolo's pipes and am a huge admirer of his work. His name will live on.

 

[fishingandpipes]

Terrible news. Very sad to hear this.

 

[tbradsim1]

Terrible news, I have many Paulo and a couple of Fritzs, what sad news.

 

[sablebrush52]

Very sad news. I have several of his pipes and they're all beautifully made.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Sad

 

[daveinlax]

This is sad news. RIP

I've been acquainted with Paolo for years. One evening that stands out was spent in a smoke filled room with him and a group of collectors passing round (puff puff pass) his new strawberry wood pipe for our impressions. IMO his work with blasting bog oak is unequaled and his spaghettio shank was an original. 8O

 

[crazypipe]

So very sorry to hear this news, May he rest in peace with his pipe. ::

 

[dottiewarden]

While his passing is sad, it is pretty cool that 100 years from now someone will enjoy a briar that still bears his name...

Apparently he and his father were living legends. Let's hope his son can carry on the tradition.
Condolences to the Becker family.

 

[boilermakerandy]

Sad news.

 

[allan]

Very sorry to hear this. Along with being a well known pipe maker, I believe the family was involved in charitable causes.
A great loss to the pipe community.

 

[philobeddoe]

Very sad to hear, bad news indeed!

 

[dottiewarden]

Broken Pipe - Paolo Becker

Broken Pipe: Paolo Becker
Definitely worthy of two threads,
Condolences to the familly and all those who knew and loved him.

 

[kcghost]

A huge lost to the piping community. A friend of mine has traveled several time to Rome to visit Paolo and family. He will be devastated. Deepest sympathy to Paolo's family & friends.

 

[misterlowercase]

Sad to hear.
One of the best pipemakers in the world.
Love his stuff.
I think Trailboss got it right:

While his passing is sad, it is pretty cool that 100 years from now someone will enjoy a briar that still bears his name...beats the heck out of a tombstone.

Indeed.