Max Weed
SNOHOMISH — The kind gentleman at Weed’s Variety, the little shop with nearly everything, enjoyed his lifelong community and friends.
Max Weed died Thursday, Oct. 21 at age 93.
Well-respected and dapper, he was also a sportsman and a sharp cribbage player.
“For our family, my father kind of set the bar on how we should treat others — in how kindness and honesty serve us well,” son Grant Weed said. “All of us revered our father with respect because that’s how he treated others.”
Daughter Loren Zingarelli noted that her father taught patience, including teaching his grandson how to golf
Max and Gayle Weed operated the mom-and-pop shop on First Street for 45 years. They were second-generation owners.
There was always this positive vibe from them when you entered the store, and it always had what people needed, said Pam Schilaty.
For children, there was always something small in their price range. And Gayle would give away M&Ms she carried in her smock, their daughter said.
“A lot of my customers are third and fourth generation because of all those years, it was probably the same for him,” Bob McDaniel of McDaniel’s Do-It Center said. “It’s what makes (a business) go.” He remembers Weed always dressed dapperly.
Max and Gayle married 60 years ago. They met while at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, and Max moved Gayle back to Snohomish.
Hunting and hiking helped keep him in shape. He’d explore the Cascade Mountains with friends to find hidden lakes. He would sleep in a sleeping bag when on outdoor trips every year to age 91.
Hunting big game brought deer and elk to the family dinner table. “He would rub his hands together because he couldn’t wait to have elk for dinner, and mom would plug her nose to cook it,” Zingarelli said.
Max began downhill skiing in his 50s, because of a bet among similarly-aged friends about whether they could, Grant Weed said. He loved it, and kept at it until age 80. Grant already skied — he loaned his dad the skis and poles for that first time — and his newfound interest bonded three generations of Weeds for family ski trips.
Max’s father Robert started Weed’s as a five-and-dime store in 1927. Robert Weed bought a building on First Street and kicked out the bar and bordello operating there, Grant Weed said.
1927 was a good year for the family: The store opened, but also Max and his twin sister Maxine were born at Snohomish General Hospital. The twins graduated Snohomish High in 1946 (Maxine survives him).
Max and Gayle took over Weed’s Variety in 1955.
Sometime in its history, the store landed at 922 First. St. (the storefront next to The Repp restaurant today). Sometime later, it moved to 906 First St.
Weed’s Variety closed about 10 years ago at 906 First St. under different owners.
The family is planning a private funeral service.
