Paul M. Wigsten

Paul Murray Wigsten (66) of Holden, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Tuesday November 9 after battling illness for many years.  Paul was born  on January 9, 1955 to Warren and Betty Wigsten and grew up on Wigsten’s Highline Farm in Pleasant Valley NY. He is remembered by his partner Sally Dobratz, his son Will Juchem, his sister Susan King and her husband John, his sister Ellen Cannon and her husband Mark and his nieces and nephew. He will also be greatly missed by his uncle, Murray Wigsten, his cousins with whom he spent many happy times on the farm, extended family and a large circle of friends.  

Paul graduated from Arlington High School in 1973 and attended Cornell University.  Paul sold commercial real estate in New York City for many years, but eventually his love of farming brought him back to Pleasant Valley where he built up an organic vegetable  business on the family farm.   Paul also worked as the produce buyer for the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) for several years, where he promoted the Farm to Table movement in Dutchess County and co-authored the textbook "Produce"; a guide to identification and use of vegetables.  

Growing up on a dairy farm, a big part of every year was the Dutchess County Fair.  He successfully showed Holsteins at the fair for most of his life, passing on his expertise to his son Will and his nieces and nephew.  Later, Paul was proud to have won many blue ribbons for his excellent vegetables at the fair.  

Paul is also remembered as an avid lover of bluegrass music.  He particularly looked forward to attending the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in July each year.  While the professional  performances are a big part of the Grey Fox experience, Paul created a wonderful communal camp for a large group of bluegrass musicians, family, and friends where every day began with a huge pot of "cowboy coffee" and ended with amazing bluegrass jams playing long into the night.  

Paul will also be remembered for creating memorable gatherings of family and friends.  His crazy sense of humor, and creative pranks, made any gathering more fun.  He had an incredible talent for bringing people together and will be missed by many. 

There will be a memorial gathering in Dutchess County NY in Spring of 2022.  Details will be finalized at a later date.