Artists:Boe Harbison

Paul Boe Harbison, 52, of Ontonagon, passed away in his home on Friday, January 30, 2004.

He was born in Marked Tree, Ark., on March 7, 1951. Boe moved to Holland, Mich., with his family in 1958.

Boe met Edna Wenger on October 7, 1966, and they were married on August 16, 1969. He served in Vietnam as a rifleman in an artillery unit from August 1970 to October 1971. While Boe was overseas, Edna sent him a new acoustic guitar, for she knew how he loved to play. On one occasion, as Boe strummed the guitar in the field, both man and instrument were narrowly missed by a sniper. The guitar was christened “Lucky” and is with Edna still.

After he returned from active duty, Boe was employed in several cabinet making shops in the Holland area, where he made many lifelong friends. In 1976, he and Edna moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where they lived intermittently until 1984, when they were able to fulfill their dream of living “in the woods” full time.

Over the years, Boe and Edna developed and grew a small business of hand-crafted artwork, including her original-designed quilted hangings, as well as Boe’s cabinets (large and small) and carvings. For many years, they created their art from their home and sold it at a number of regional craft shows. In 2001, “In the Woods” bought the old Wilderness Supply building and began selling their works there, at the Nonesuch Gallery, which they created.

Although Boe was a musician since childhood, many of those who knew him never heard him play or sing until around 1994, when he founded Peace Hill music. Summertime Peace Hill concerts became a part of the fabric of many people’s lives, both permanent residents and summer folks. In 1993, Boe became a regular at Paul’s Supper Club on Friday nights, delighting diners with his playing and singing of many original works. He played there until December of 2003, when illness prevented him from continuing. However, in 2003 Boe released the CD "Borderlands," which documents his many musical talents.

Throughout his life, Boe kept learning and improving his considerable skills as a cabinetmaker, carver, and musician. Boe had sincere love for people; he always saw the good in those he met. Through all his talents, he enriched many lives and will be missed terribly..