@jackerhack @codelust@mastodon.social @zigzackly
I have been a user in a good community that had that founder death happen, and luckily it continued on. (MVgroup.org, a documentaries fans site)

Starting up a new instance/server by oneself is also scary, as over time you might get tired of operating it, or from the friction and demands a growing site can bring. Getting other users to form a staff and volunteer to assume moderation and maintenance, co-admin rules is essential. That is what kept mvgroup going, even after the founder and another senior admin passed away over the years.