what an influence he (and Jeanie) were on me in the 50s when I was first getting into oldtime country music. Rest in peace in Fiddlers' Green, Harry.

Bill Knowlton  WCNY  Syracuse NY

Harry was one of a kind. An inspiration and a true friend.

So sorry to hear of Harry's passing.  I always enjoyed visiting the shop and bought my first "good" mandolin from Harry.  I remember one day sitting in the shop and a customer came in the front door and asked Harry if he would be interested in trading.  He said yes to the man, just as long as it wasn't a "refrigerator or a lawn mower".

So sad, the news of Harrys disappearance. We shall never forget him - he always was an great example of how to carry on even in a hopeless situation; he was a good husband and a great example in any respect.
God bless Harry.

When I got in the music business in 1972, Harry was already a legend, as he was years ahead of just about everyone else in his appreciation of prewar acoustic instruments.  I never met him when I was growing up in NYC, but after I opened my music store in Michigan I corresponded with him and occasionally spoke with him over the telephone.  It was always a pleasure to talk to him and I wish I had met him in person.  My condolences to the entire family.

I first heard about Harry West when I started collecting instruments in 1963. I did not have the opportunity to meet him in person until 1967 but when I visited his home in the Bronx at that time we forged a friendship which endured for a lifetime. Harry was a positive influence for me and numerous other players and collectors.  He was a true pioneer who recognized earlier than virtually anyone else that fine vintage American fretted instruments were true works of art with iconic historic significance in addition to being functional tools. He was an inspiration to all of us. He will be greatly missed.

Dear Jeanie and Family,

It is with great sadness that I learn of Harry's passing. I met him first in NYC at his apartment in 1963 but we continued corresponding into the email age up to this past year. Some of my friends got their finest instruments at affordable prices from Harry in the 1960s. He was a great letter-writer and a faithful friend, never failing to ask after other musical instrument folks (like the late Jon Lundberg here in Berkeley), and he was always available to answer questions or just chat. I will miss him very much.

Sincere condolences,
Sandy

Thinking of his family and sending my prayers.  I got to meet Harry last year after hearing so much about him.  What a legacy!

To the West family, Sorry to hear of your loss.Harry was a great friend to me and would always help me anyway he could. I always enjoyed visiting Harry and listening to the stories he would tell. I know he will be missed by you as well as his friends. Just glad I was able to be lucky enough to be his friend.God Bless you all from the staff of Mullis Music Co.

Scott and family ......Sorry about the loss of your father,Jeanie, your husband.

Condolences from everyone at Saga Musical Instruments.  Harry was one of those special musicians that cannot be replaced.  You will be missed by a lot of people whose lives you touched in ways you probably didn't even realize!  A true original.

Goodbye Harry, I enjoyed our correspondence via hand written letters we shared some years ago. My condolences to family and friends. 

S. M. McCoy

My heart breaks that I was not able to hold his hand and tell him how much he meant to me, but I feel he knew. I will forever treasure the letters he sent to me and the kind words of wisdom he taught me over the years. He is at Peace now with Everett and they are playing with the rest of the Angels. He touched my heart deeply and taught me a lot. I admired everything about him...first words he ever spoke to me years ago...Do you have any Tattoos?..he was straight to the point and no beating around the bush! Not only has the Family lost a Father , Grandfather and Husband...but the World has lost a  good Honest Friend ! I love you Harry and will see you again one day!

My most sincere condolences on Harry's passing.  I know it is a hard thing for the family to lose him, but be consoled by all those whose lives he brightened along the way.  I know he did mine.  I always enjoyed pulling up a bench and talking with Harry!

I  spent quite a bit of time at Harry's house in Durham, NC when I lived there in the late 80's. I bought many different instruments from him, played my first Loar and he let me play his D-45. Every visit was like a class and I left happier and with knowledge newly found.

My condolences to the family, and please know that Harry was much appreciated by many, perhaps the least of whom is myself.

Duane L.

I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Harry West and buy a great instrument from him and enjoyed talking to him. He will be missed, may GOD bless his family.     Steve Henson   Chester S.C.

Very sorry to hear of the passing one one of the true trailblazers in the original NYC roots music movement going back to the 1940s. Harry was a legendary part of America's musical history as a participant, a wheel-hoss, and a resource to generations- as well as that integral part of the formative years before "folk" was an industry.

My wife and I had the pleasure of hearing Harry & Jeanie back in the '70s at some small venues. Harry was gracious enough to spend some time chatting with us between set. He was a fine piece of work.
Curt & Barbara Roseman

Harry supplied the instruments that help make bluegrass better.

Psalms 121 to the family

My deepest condolences to the West Family.  I will miss Harry and his unique personality, his smile and the  personal consideration he always afforded me.  May God richly bless and comfort the West Family during their time of great loss.

Harry generously shared his knowledge of music, musicians and instruments with a remarkably sly sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him.

I had many musical instrument adventures with Harry and one memorable one was he and I spending the day with Mario Maccaferri

With deep condolences to the West family and friends. I will cherish memories of Harry's music, humor, and mentor-ship.

I knew Harry only by his considerable reputation, but I've always held him in the highest esteem.  He touched many, many lives through his music and his love of instruments. I knew of Harry because I play banjo, mandolin, and guitar, and he figured prominently in that world. My mother was born in Germany (in 1925, in Wuertzburg; my grandmother was from Stuttgart) and fled the Nazis with her family to America, so I suppose I have that small connection, as well. The acoustic music community has lost one of its great figures.  Please accept my sincerest condolences.  

Prof. Steven Block
Dept. Applied Physics 
Stanford University

We will miss Harry's sense of humor and musical knowledge.  He was a pleasure to know and work with.  We are honored to have known him.

I love and miss dad already, I know my life will never be the same again! Opening the store everyday without seeing his smiling face will never be easy! RIP dad,until we meet again, I LOVE YOU, Annie <3

OBITUARY

Harry West

June 11, 1926 – January 25, 2014

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home

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