Harry Wanty-RIP

[Gillespie]

Just received a call that Harry Wanty has passed. He was a fixture on Beaver Island for many years, he will be missed! More information to follow....

[BI Pirate]

I first met Harry when he drove the road grader paving Kings Highway. He was amazing to watch and proud of his work, always had a wave. Because Harry was different, some shied away from him to their loss. Harry could be cantankerous at times, many times, but he was also smart, witty and caring when you got to know him. Beaver Island has lost another diamond in the rough, a hidden treasure. I have missed him these last few years with his not coming to the island and knew the health issues that always plagued him were now consuming him. May those burdens now be lifted. Sail on my friend and let your waves forever wash upon the shores of Beaver Island.

[sblanch]

We are so sorry to hear this as David just went and saw him on Monday. We were proud to call him our friend.

[Gillespie]

Harry spent some winters on the island. One time when we were snowmobiling to the Upper Peninsula I rigged a snowmobile cutter so he could ride along. I ran a rope under the seat so he had a means to be "strapped in". A very memorable trip! We get up there and having a good time at the Cove Bar, in comes a short statured gal and, well, needless to say they got along. As the evening progressed they disappeared. A brief search found them in the back of a Volkswagen! That part of the story ends there. On the way home we spotted a coyote on the ice hunting for prey. A chase ensued where the varmint was eventually deceased. Anyway, I was chasing the critter as if nothing were behind me and I looked back at one point and the cutter was on its side with Harry hanging on for dear life, I jumped off and flopped it down and said, "You ok?" He replied, "Yes, yes, get the coyote!" Needless to say that became a good part of the conversation when we all got back to the Shamrock. Lot's of stories.....

[DannyN]

Hey all:
Please know Harry kept his little aluminum row boat on our property on Font Lake. I even painted his name on the side a couple of years ago...big red letters...
RIP Harry
Danny Nackerman