Summary
Patrick J. Bonner was born on Beaver Island November 7, 1882, and died October 26, 1973. He was remembered as an Irish fiddler who preserved local and Irish melodies, played at island celebrations, and made archive tapes for the University of Michigan. He also farmed near Feodor Protar’s home and served as an informal custodian and guide.
Evidence and limits
This is a detailed newspaper obituary. It preserves a major music and heritage attestation but does not identify the University archive recordings individually or authenticate the violin’s Stradivari label.
Sources
- Beaver Beacon, November 1973, “Obituaries: Patrick J. Bonner.”Reports Bonner’s birth, death, Irish-fiddling and farming life, marriage to Rose Boyle in 1916, University of Michigan archive-tape invitation, friendship with Feodor Protar, and role guiding visitors through Protar’s home and tomb.