HARRY JARKEY: Still Remembered After All These Years by Local Fans

August 30, 2012
By: Dave Rogers

Several hundred local fans of Harry Jarkey, Wenona Beach Casino comedian-musician, sent him wishes on his 99th birthday on Aug. 11. Jarkey now lives in Palm Desert, California.

The outpouring of sentiment was ginned up by Jerry Jopke, retired General Motors executive and board member of the Dobson Firehouse Museum, who put Harry's address in The Bay City Times so local folks could wish Jarkey "Happy Birthday."

Linda Jarkey, Harry's daughter, tells the effect of the birthday wishes:

"Harry would like to say, "Thanks for the Memories," to everyone who shared their stories of happy times at the Wenona Beach Casino. These shared experiences, still so vivid after more than 50 years, have evoked laughter, tears and joy. It has given Dad such a lift to hear that he is so fondly remembered.

"I am attaching a photo of Harry and Joni, his loving companion these past 40-plus years. They simply cannot get over the response. The second photo is of Harry and his pal, Artie Kane. Artie played piano at the casino as a teenager of 18.

"The following messages are some of Harry's favorites, and are representative of what folks had to say."

"Thank you for the many years of joy and fun we looked forward to every year at the Wenona Beach Casino."

"You brought a lot of joy, happiness, smile, and, yes, belly laughs, to the people of Bay City and surrounding areas. And you will live on forever in the hearts of a lot of us "Alter Kockers."

These comments were all on one card...

"We have great memories of you when my husband and I were in our teens dating each other. We really enjoyed coming out to see you. Love, Lillian, 88, Bobby, 89, MaryAnn, 82; Maxine, 79, Fran, 91; Theresa, 83, Kay, 86, "The Bay City Gang!" "When you performed there, you were the greatest. Nowadays, comedians can't hold a candle to you."

" You were the social highlight of my parents' life. I heard many stories about you."

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