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Tragic news hit this morning that Josh Epple, the co-owner and iconic butcher of Drewes Brothers Meats on Church St. died early this morning in a fatal motorcycle accident. From the SF Gate:
The rider, 42-year-old Joshua Epple of San Francisco, was traveling southbound on Highway 101 near 10th Street just before 2 a.m. when he lost control of his motorcycle for unknown reasons, according to the California Highway Patrol. Epple hit the guardrail, was ejected from the bike and fell 30 feet to a parking lot below, sustaining fatal injuries, the CHP said.A note on the Drewes website confirmed the sad news: "It is with heavy heart that we announce that our friend, boss and owner of Drewes Meats, Joshua N. Epple was taken from our lives early this morning." Josh is survived by his brother Isaac who is also co-owner of Drewes.
Update (3/3): Friends and family have set up a fund for 6 year old Justice Epple.
[Photo: Stacy Ventura via Edible San Francisco]
45 comments:
This is so incredibly sad. My condolences to the family, esp his brother. For all the sass that people over the years have ascribed to Josh, throughout my 15 years in Noe Valley he has always been wonderful to me and my family, and he will be missed.
Tragic. He was a mensch. The city won't be the same without him.
unbelievably sad...i *just* saw him the other day at drewes, had no idea that would be the last time. i guess you never have any idea. :(
This is such sad news, I grew up in this neighborhood and it seems like he's been at Drewes forever. He will be truly missed.
I feel incredibly sad at this news. My most sincere condolences to his family and to the Drewes Bros Team. I moved out of Noe Valley 14 years ago, yet Josh would always recognize me when I'd stop by. I loved my conversations with him. I will truly miss him.
Oh, my heart goes out to Issac and all of Josh's colleagues. I always love shopping at Drewes and still will because of the friendly service and sometimes edgy humor that Josh brought.
I loved seeing Josh, he was entertaining, always friendly, and from my perspective a great guy. I will miss seeing him at Drewes and the Noe Valley Farmers market. I can still hear him saying, "Hey, Diane........"
Saw the sign in Drewes storefront window today and my jaw literally dropped. One day he's here, the next he's... not. There is great sadness over this loss despite not even really knowing Josh - just a few interactions, all of which were genuine and friendly. My sincerest condolences to the family and Drewe's crew.
This is tragic. Josh was an amazing guy and truly passionate about Drewes. He is the type of person that makes a community great. Condolence to his family.
Terrible news. Josh was part of the fiber of San Francisco, the holidays, rainy days, and any other day he was at the counter giving recipe tips to everyone and critiquing the 49ers and Giants with tough love.
This is such sad news. I loved seeing Josh at Drewes and on Saturdays at the Farmer's Market. A funny, generous guy who sold the best meat in Noe Valley and beyond. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and employees and to all of us. What a loss.
Crap crap crap. Like many of the posters here, I didn't know Josh well, but always enjoyed interacting with him, either at the shop or the farmers market. My sincere condolences to his friends, family and coworkers.
Our deepest condolences go out to Josh's family. Noe Valley will never be the same without him.
This is so very sad. Josh was a great person and contributor to our community. He will be missed. My deepest condolences to his family & friends.
What else can I say. Our deepest condolences to the Epple Family.
I seen Josh grow up. To be a fine man..he use to go to the pediatrican I worked for....great kids..Josh...Issac and Lyla....My boys also knew him from the Day St Park...so sad and such a loss for his family and the community.
Josh
You're out of here.
The rest of us, left behind, are left with less, a poorer place...
Thank you for your life...
for being a friend...
finally...peace
joshua epple
gone to heaven on your harley
Josh grew up in our old neighborhood and was always a nice, happy kid. He kept an eye on my son Michael Jr. who was the squirt in the neighborhood and they played basketball together at the Day St. park gym. It was great to see him grow up and take over Drewes Market with his brother Issac. They were wonderful merchants who took the store to a high level of quality, service and turning it into neighborhood treasure. Saw him become a family man, a business man and he was always polite and remembered our family from the neighborhood. He and his brother employed neighborhood folks and were good to our community and city. It was great to see a young kid from the neighborhood do so well. I pray for his family during this extremely heartbreaking time. He will certainly be missed by so many. RIP "Megadeath!" Gone too soon.
From Arleen Oh I am just so sad & shocked by this newa.He was such a nice guy just saw him with his llittle dogs Peace be with you Sorry for youe family & The Drewes Bros Family God Speed Josh
Arleen Connolly
OH NO!! Loved kibbitzing with Josh when I bought my brats, birds and roasts... he was always so warm and kinda flirty-- or at least all the haggered mom's with little ones in tow thought so... devastatingly sad--I hate motorcycles... thinking of bringing flowers to the market... terrible news... condolences to all who loved him so...
Our family was devastated, losing this stalwart of old school butchers in San Francisco. I cannot believe nobody has mentioned the incredible generosity of this family. Any school request was always given a donation. We could not refuse making the holiday donations to St. Anthony's through Drewes which were matched by Drewes, providing top quality turkeys to those in need. Love to his family, including his fabulous loving staff/co workers.
such a horrid loss for us. he was such a gentle wise man. Here's an interview I did with him a few years ago - such a gem. So sad. he will be sorely missed. http://getsmartradio.net/?p=27
Josh, you were family to us and, knowing you for over 30 years in the neighborhood, we all grew up together in so many ways. Thank you for your generosity, always being there to give advice or share your unique take on life, news and views, jokes and teases. You gave bologna to our son every time he came in to Drewes as a kid, and then when he was finally old enough, and fulfilling a dream of his, you put him to work with the Drewes crew schlepping turkey and holiday orders at Thanksgiving and Christmas and gave him his first paycheck! When he was little you gave him a 49ers bear to cheer him up, he never forgot it and you made him a fan for life. Your untimely passing leaves a huge hole in our lives and hearts, and profound sadness at what the future could have been. Rest In Peace, Josh, and thoughts and prayers to your family and all the Drewes family and friends.
A truly unjust loss. Josh was always nice, always friendly, and always patient when I wasn't certain what I wanted to buy at Drewes. Josh's enthusiasm for the Giants was contagious. My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers Josh left behind.
Aw man. I don't live in SF anymore and I sold my Ducati before moving to LA, but I still have the motorcycle bag I bought from Josh when he was my butcher in Noe Valley. So sad. So sorry. :(
The memories posted here are of a person dedicated to his family and community. This neighborhood was fortunate to have him it won't be the same without him. Condolences to his family and Drewe's.
Condolences to his family. I was just talking about the brothers at Drewes this weekend with my sister.
Did know him but he was a realy close friend of my brothers.y condolences to the family. RIP MAN.
HOLY CRAP NO!!!!
Another true San Franciscan bites the dust. Hang in there guys. At least he went out doing what he loved. Just hope it was quick and painless.
Happy trails old friend, be seeing you down the road apiece.
Patrick Monk. RN. Noe Valley.
What a loss, how easily a life can be snuffed out. The last time we spoke Josh was hoping to keep the shop open...changing demographics he said. Josh and Drewes are neighborhood jewels. We'll miss you Josh.
Sweet Josh, you will be missed. Lucy and the gang love you!
Such a tragic loss. Much love, support and condolences to Josh's family and friends. He was always honest, helpful, funny and true. Going to miss his energy and vibe in the shop. With sincerity.
So sorry to hear about this tragic loss. Josh was a good person very nice. Going to miss seeing him at drewes. But now how he is an angel looking down on us all. May you rip my friend.
This is such shocking sad news. Josh and I grew up together in Pacifica, we were the best of friends, we lived on the same street 6 houses apart from each other, we were inseparable, spending so much time at each others homes, his family introduced me to Mississippi Mud Pie, the best dessert ever and we were always getting into trouble together, throwing eggs at cars, playing spin the bottle with girls and so much more. we both moved away from Pacifica but I always thought about him, I finally tracked him down about a year ago and we had talked about meeting up and getting lunch, sadly it never happened and I will never get the chance. My heart goes out to his family and friends, Josh I never have forgotten you and I never will, May you rest in peace my friend.
Tony Rohatch
Josh, Georgia and I were both shocked and at an extreme loss to hear the news of your passing. There will be big shoes to fill in your absence. Many thanks, man!!! - Mark Jensen
I'm so sorry for his family. He was always so friendly and always had a meaty treat for my dogs.
I can't believe I was the last person to see him alive. My thoughts are with his family. I know what it's like to lose a brother.
crushed to hear this news. Josh always joked that he held Zack and I responsible for gentrifying the neighborhood when we moved in almost 15 years ago. He could always put a smile on my face. It is hard to believe someone with so much life and personality is gone. He will be missed.
So sad to hear this news. Josh was wonderful -- always so friendly and helpful. He will truly be missed. Our condolences to all the guys at the Drewes Bros.
Oh man, oh man. I will truly miss you Josh. You were my butcher, my therapist, at times my bookie, and even my black market wholesaler of Ginsu knives, and I hardly even knew you brother. We will always have our laughs, which were many, and often at my expense, which is why I nickel and dimed you every chance I got.
Rest in peace, friend.
So sad to learn this sad news today. Josh sold me the best pork belly in town. I had come in today to get another pound, when I saw the postings of his passing all around the shop. My condolences to his family and the Drewes Bros family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Josh will be missed
Cindy De Losa
"Don't let your meat loaf"
I will miss bantering with you Josh
Cindy De Losa
So sad, I have been traveling and just heard about this. Peace be with his family, he was a great guy.
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