mikerider Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 With sadness, Ken Casey, known as 'Yellow Boots' or in French, Bottes Jaune, has passed on to the Snow Gods and off to start a new chapter in all that the afterlife has to offer, which hopefully is more snowmobiling. He was 93. Ken started snowmobiling in the '60's on his beloved Boa Skis. After wearing out Maine's trails, he ventured into Quebec during the '70's. He eventually spent years riding the Lac St. Jean area before moving on to the Gaspe where he would spend each winter going around and around the Gaspe. Often he would do these trips solo. He had thousands of photos from his trips. He had enough misfortunes on some of these adventures to fill a book and make our misadventures often seem trite. He was so excited one winter when he found a Boa Ski museum in Quebec. One year during the '80's I believe, He and a couple other riders left Washington State by sled and rode to Maine. What made this interesting was a disagreement amongst them caused Ken to decide to leave the group in Yellowstone and finish the trip alone to Maine by himself. His obituary mentioned that in order to learn French, everything in his house had a label identifying it in a French term. I remember riding with Ken in the '60's and '70's. I was 30 years younger and far faster on a sled. Ken never went over 40 mph, but never stopped. I would go off ahead. 75 miles later we would arrive at our break stop at the same time. Several years ago I ran across Ken at a snowmobile show. He told me he was hanging up the boots. He had a great run but it was over. His wife asked he no longer ride, she needed his company during the winter months and she was too worried about him traversing Quebec at his age. It was the first time I saw sadness in his usually sparkling eyes. Ken always wore those yellow snowmobile boots. He knew very early on that the trails in Quebec and the Quebec people are a part of life to be treasured. Rest in peace, Ken. And keep it under 40! Julie Casey Otte, nyskidooerinnewhampshire, smclelan and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Ken Casey, Bottes Jaune, was a true Quebec rider, I had the great opportunity and honor to ride in the Gaspe with him several times. He will be missed! A true early ambassador to snowmobiling! Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusand Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Yes we met him once in the gaspe couldn't believe he was riding alone at his age and if I remember right he told me he had a satellite phone Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saguenay Bill Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I met Ken in 1991 in Jonquiere. I still carry his business card with me that he gave to me that evening. Great man. Thanks Mike for letting us know of his passing. RIP Ken. Julie Casey Otte and nyskidooerinnewhampshire 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I believe his business card said 'Quebec Trail Inspector' Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 1 Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 R I P Mr. Casey, he did it his way. Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnomoGary Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 So sorry to hear this I never had the privilege to meet him , but even I have heard the story's of Ken . RIP Ken. Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipeman Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I saw him riding solo in the late 90's but never got to speak to him. Truly a legend in the Snowmobile world.....RIP Ken This reminds me of a woman I met at Relais 22 a few years ago who was on tour by herself with a little dog zipped inside her coat. Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozzy Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 9 minutes ago, Pipeman said: I saw him riding solo in the late 90's but never got to speak to him. Truly a legend in the Snowmobile world.....RIP Ken This reminds me of a woman I met at Relais 22 a few years ago who was on tour by herself with a little dog zipped inside her coat. Are you sure it wasn't her cat, aka ***** RIP Yellow Boots. Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnc Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Sad to hear his journey has ended but, sounds like he made the best of what he loved all these years, we should all be so lucky. RIP. Julie Casey Otte, SnomoGary and im4snow 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Thanks for bringing us up to speed on him, I was just thinking about that guy a few days ago and wondering if he's still with us. R.IP. Bottes Jaunes Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 JG, I'm with you. On our way home in the truck Tuesday (Jan 31st) Sandi and I were talking about this snowmobiler dubbed "yellow boots". I don't think he has come to mind in years and Tuesday he was there. How strange a thought will come up. Jack & Sandi R.I.P. to the "Quebec Trail Inspector" Florida Snowman, Julie Casey Otte and RoadRunner 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groomer Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 sad news !!! met him twice , at dealership in amqui while he was talking with my oldest brother ....then one early morning ,fixing the corner at the bottom of the hill with antlers on tq 5 !!! and like jg and revct ,2 weeks ago , while grooming ,thought of him !!! rip mr casey !!! jean-guy Julie Casey Otte, Florida Snowman, momojohnny and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclelan Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I never met ken, however heard many stories of his adventures. He is a true Quebec snowmobiling legend. RIP Yellow Boots Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadRunner Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 RIP On a trip around the Gaspe in 2006, And at one of Kens favorite gas stops in Le Martre Julie Casey Otte, SnomoGary, nyskidooerinnewhampshire and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyman Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I had the pleasure of meeting "Yellow Boots" once RIP my friend. We had the same riding philosophy slow and steady! Andy Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowworks Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 (edited) We met Ken taking the ferry from Matane to godbout. We got to spend some time with him on the boat ride. He spoke of his hand made moccasins that he wore under the " yellow boots". RIP " Yellow Boots" Edited February 3, 2017 by snowworks Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momojohnny Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 http://obituaries.pressherald.com/obituaries/mainetoday-pressherald/obituary.aspx?n=kenneth-oakley-casey&pid=183904692&fhid=5906 " The rest of the story" RIP Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 Thanks RoadRunner for posting the pictures. I never met anyone like Ken who so enjoyed every inch of every journey. You could see him taking it all in as he rode along the trail. mike RoadRunner and Julie Casey Otte 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vt_bluyamaha54 Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I always hoped he would write about his trips. I just hope his extensive photo collection is preserved and maybe one day can be shared. Thanks RoadRunner for sharing your pics and Mikerider for letting us know. Funny how we lose track of time. I didn't realize he was over 90. RIP Ken. May your adventures continue. Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Casey Otte Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 This is Ken Casey's daughter Julie. Thank you all for such kinds words and memories about my Dad, I think I used to belong to this organization online to check the trail conditions for him. He wasn't too computer savvy. When he wanted to go snowmobiling I would look up to see if certain trails were closed. It was probably towards the end of the season and he wanted to get in every ride he could. I knew he was a legend in the snowmobiling world and this proves it. Again thank you and if anyone wants to contact me it is JulieMomOtter@aol.com Scranton1, zeusand, mikerider and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Thanks for checking in Julie. I was hoping someone from the family would read this and see how many people "Dad's" friendship and influence touched in the snowmobiling world in Quebec and Maine. Jack & Sandi Julie Casey Otte and RoadRunner 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groomer Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 never too late to do well ,finally found pic , i had hard times with external hard drive !!! pic of mr casey taken at the bottom of the hill with antlers, february 7 th ,06 ....early morning !!! remember him taking pics of the groomer ...first time for him to see a sur-trac groomer !!! jean-guy nyskidooerinnewhampshire, Florida Snowman, RoadRunner and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 Hi Groomer. I'm impressed that you could find a picture you were looking for. You must have 1,000's of pics to look thru. I know, your secretary found it for you. Jack & Sandi Julie Casey Otte, 182ray and RoadRunner 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groomer Posted February 4, 2017 Report Share Posted February 4, 2017 2 hours ago, revct1 said: Hi Groomer. I'm impressed that you could find a picture you were looking for. You must have 1,000's of pics to look thru. I know, your secretary found it for you. Jack & Sandi hi jack and sandi !!! hahhaha...no , found it by myself !!! so many thousand ...faster and easier for me to find it !!! i knew it was winter 06 !!! just a bad connection with external hard drive..( wire ) just back from clubhouse...low traffic...-30c earlier this morning !!! pic...same place , last thursday morning !!! jean-guy Julie Casey Otte 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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