Harry Bolyard

Harry J. Bolyard passed away on August 21, 2012 in Brooksville, Florida where he had lived for the past 35 years. Harry was born September 29, 1914 to Jason and Cora Bolyard on a small farm just outside Middleton, Michigan where he became a big brother to a sister, Elda Hinkley. In 1935, Harry married Bernice Hammond. In the next few years both Harry and Elda had 5 children. The siblings remained close throughout their lives and the families spent many Christmases together. Later, as the families grew, they gathered in the summer for vacation time at a resort in Michigan or on Rose Lake. Harry took great pride and delight as the family extended to include first, the birth of grandchildren and then a fourth generation. The delight of a four generation photo in the family album was only eclipsed when eight years ago, a five generation photo was taken. Then, in the spring of this year he rejoiced at the birth of the sixth generation, his great-great-great granddaughter. Unable to travel to Nevada for a photo shoot, a sixth generation photo was created using the magic of technology. This technology was a springboard to contemplating what an incredible period of history his life had spanned. During his early years, farmers in the area were making the transition from horse powered to gasoline-powered equipment. Phones were large, wall mounted, crank operated boxes, and everyone was on a party line. Air travel was still in its infancy, yet before his life was over, Harry enjoyed air travel many times and counted trips to Hawaii and Egypt among his favorites. When Harry was 10 years old, his father gave him a violin. In school he ran track and played basketball. These two activities greatly influenced his life. He played that same “fiddle” for 87 years and continues to be heard on the Internet as “Harry The Fiddler”. He played Sundays at church and at the Senior Enrichment Center and other venues around Brooksville. In his ninth decade of life, he cut a CD with his friend, Sam the Banjo Man. As a young businessman, Harry sponsored a basketball team and was a player with that team. As a Freshman at Michigan State University he also played basketball against the varsity team. He continued to stay active playing golf and running. He boasted he could run an eight-minute mile at the age of 65. About this time, he traded in his running shoes for dancing shoes and for the next 30 plus years he could be found on the dance floor at least twice a week. Harry taught school, owned a grain elevator, started Shady Nook, a wholesale poultry and egg processing business, had a stall at the Lansing City Market and at one time had the largest turkey farm in Michigan. He ended his working years in the financial investments business and taught classes on stocks and bonds at The Spring Hill Little Red School House. When Harry was 21 years old, he threw his hat into the political arena. He ran for Michigan State Representative and, when casting his first presidential ballot, he was able to ensure he garnered at least one vote for his ticket. Although he lost this election, he served for years as a delegate to the state conventions. He also served on the School board of Fulton Schools. One big accomplishment during his tenure on the board, was the construction of the new high school and athletic compound. His community work also included serving in various positions in the Middleton Methodist Church where he was a lifetime member. He was a member of the Lions Club in Michigan and Florida and the Elks in Florida. The phrase, “he never met a stranger”, certainly applied to Harry. He made friends wherever he went and kept contact with them all through the years. It was very important to him to get people together, whether it was friends or family. Harry was preceded in death by his sister, Elda, wives Bernice Hammond and Eleanor Sapp, and daughter Barbara Snider. He is survived by daughters Kay Ridge (Jerry Hesselink) of Atlanta, Georgia, Joan Lewis of Lincoln, Michigan and sons Robert (Connie) Bolyard of St. Johns, Michigan, and Richard (Diana) Bolyard of Elkhart, Indiana, 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild as well as his five nieces, nephews ,and their families. A celebration of Harry’s life will be held in the community center at the Frontier Park in Brooksville in January when friends return from their summer homes. The family will gather in Michigan in the summer for a final toast to the man known as dad, pops, grampa, poppy, and uncle.