We are very saddened to learn of the passing of Ed Haroff, who for the last two weeks fought a tremendous battle as he tried to recover from a brain injury he received after slipping on ice on Christmas Day. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to all of Ed’s family and friends.

Ed Haroff was the principal auctioneer and a licensed Real Estate Broker at Haroff Auction & Realty, Inc. Ed earned the CAI designation as a graduate of the Certified Auctioneers Institute. He will be mostly likely remembered by many as Santa.

From Kimberly A. Dumoulin, via Facebook:

It is with great sadness to say that Ed does not have to fight anymore....he passed away this morning. He is at peace. Our mom and our family thanks all of you from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us in prayer during this difficult time. We are in disbelief and don't even have words to say.....
With Linda Reeves Haroff, Jennifer Miller LaPerle, Edward Haroff

And this, from Shannon Kelley, via Facebook:

I've just received the news of the passing of my foster father. He slipped on the ice on Christmas Day, suffered a severe brain injury and never woke up. I was with him/the family for all of my teenage years. What an amazing time it was. RIP Ed. Thank you for everything.

Feel free to leave your memories of Ed in our comments section.

With the kind permission of Shannon Kelley, we are sharing her photo, which she released yesterday on the official Schroon Lake Facebook page. The significance of the photo, as Shannon pionts out, is that it shows two Schroon Lake icons: The Strand Theatre and Edward T. Haroff, as Santa.

As many of you may be aware, Ed’s friends and family are praying for him as he battles back after a nasty fall two weeks ago that caused a brain injury.

Writes Shannon: “Ed is the Santa in the photo. He was my foster father during my jr. high and high school years in SL.The other kids in the neighborhood and I were his assistants when he did the Santa (and every other) gig. The horse is our beloved Taugo.”

You can read more about Ed’s courageous battle -- and the massive prayer circle organized by his loved ones -- on the Schroon Lake Facebook Page.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ed’s family and friends.