Harold Buyce

Harry Buyce strove to be the best at everything he did. Harry did everything by the book, and did everything the right way. He was a piano tuner by trade, and became the fastest in the whole wide world. Harry was a man who struck just the right chord in everyone he met. More than anything, Harry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Harry’s story began in 1934. Those were such difficult times in this country, which was caught in the terrible grip of the Great Depression. Yet on September 12, 1934, Earl and Helen (Orris) Buyce found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Harold. Harry was born on the family farm in the little four-corner town of Kibbie, Michigan.

Harry was the first of the couple’s three children, and would be joined by his brothers Dwight and Dale on the family’s farm. Being the oldest son growing up on a farm, Harry learned early on the value of hard work, a value he carried with him the rest of his life.

Harry and his family moved to the nearby town of Bangor in the late 1940s, and he began attending Bangor High School. He was very active there, joining the FFA (Future Farmers of America), and played basketball and baseball for the Vikings, too.

After he graduated in 1952, Harry moved just down the road to South Haven, where he began working for the Everett Piano Factory. He also began serving in the Army National Guard, and in his spare time he played on many softball teams and bowling leagues, too. Bowling, in particular, became a lifelong love for him, one of many pastimes for the fun-loving Harry.

In 1964, Harry met Rosalie Clancy, of Portage, Michigan, after they were introduced by mutual friends. The two were married on January 30, 1965, at St. Monica Catholic Church in Kalamazoo.

He became a self-employed piano tuner, first in Benton Harbor, and later Kalamazoo and Portage, where he would open a store in the Portage Plaza, called “Portage Pianos”.

When Harry set out to do something, he wanted to be the best. Although he was never a musician, he became well known for his speed and precision in tuning pianos. He even was named the “Fastest Piano Tuner in the World,” in 1978, and made the Guinness Book of World Records!

Harry and Rosalie were blessed with two wonderful kids over the years, their daughter Brenda and their son Robert, who filled their father with pride and joy.

Harry was a fun-loving man, who worked hard and played equally hard. Harry ensured his kids had the “fun” toys, too, from snowmobiles, to minibikes, pools, trampolines and more. They took many camping trips together and shared many adventures, especially up North and in South Haven.

Harry was a good husband and father. Harry was also a very good and loyal friend to many. He enjoyed spending time at the former Derk’s Restaurant in Portage sharing coffee and conversation with his friends.

Harry also went on long snowmobile trips to the Upper Peninsula and Canada with friends, and bowled in leagues for many years at Sunset Lanes. He even rolled a 299 game once!

His hobbies didn’t stop there, however. He also loved working on cars (Harry could fix just about anything), and was actually a certified mechanic. He enjoyed watching tractor pulls, sports on TV, and enjoyed studying his family genealogy, too. When the family all got together, Harry was always the photographer.

Harry kept working for many years. He was such a trustworthy, caring and honest businessman, who always did everything the right way and by the book.

Sadly, Harry developed Alzheimer’s in the late 1990s, beginning his long journey with the disease. As his disease progressed, he required more care than could be given at home. In 2005, he moved to a long-term care facility and in 2006, moved to Alamo Nursing Home – a family-owned home. He spent the rest of his days there receiving kind and compassionate care. Sadly, Harry died there on Wednesday, February 6, 2008, at the age of 73.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl; a brother, Dale; and his infant grandson, Vincent Robert Depweg. Surviving are his wife, Rosalie (Clancy) Buyce; daughter, Brenda (Ben) Depweg; son, Robert Buyce; granddaughter, Leah Rose Depweg; grandson, Robert Benjamin Depweg; mother, Helen Buyce; brother, Dwight (Peggy) Buyce of North Carolina; sister-in-law, Beth Buyce of West Olive, MI; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Cremation will take place with a private interment service at South Portage Cemetery. Please visit Harry’s memory page where you can share a memory or photo of him, sign his online guest book or make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association (Great Lakes Chapter), Alamo Nursing Home, or the charity of your choice. The family would especially like to thank the Alamo Nursing Home staff for their care of Harry during his illness and the extra “TLC” and special accommodations they made for him in his final days. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 375-2900.