Eric A. Schinske

Eric A. Schinske aka Harry Carey Eric A. Schinske was born on July 20, 1949 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1957 his parents moved to Bellingham, where his father, Dr. Erhart Schinske, worked in the speech pathology department at what is now WWU, and his mother, Helena Schinske, taught Latin at Bellingham High School. Eric enjoyed music and easily learned to play the trumpet in junior high school under the direction of Nick Bussard. He continued to play trumpet throughout high school under the direction of Ralph Pauley. While Eric was in junior high school and through high school, he along with his friend Dave Keim, started a dixieland band that Eric’s father dubbed the Rabble Rousers and history was born. The Rabble Rousers were mentored by Nick Bussard and Ralph Pauley. The Rabble Rousers were quite active and memorable, and this was the beginning of an interesting career in music for Eric. After completing a popular and well-known trumpet method titled “Double High C in Thirty Seven Weeks” (and indeed achieving the double high c), Eric abandoned the trumpet as just way too much trouble, and redirected his efforts and considerable talent toward the piano, at which he became a devoted enthusiast. Eric attended WWU and, with Dave Keim in 1972, North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) because of its highly regarded jazz studies program. Both returned to Bellingham after but one semester, having mutually rejected Texas as any sort of place to actually live. Eric continued to study and enjoy music pretty much on a daily basis. Over the next 20 years or so, Eric joined several bands and spent a number of years on the road touring. It was on one of these tours the band decided they all needed stage names, and that is when Harry Carey was born. And Harry Carey became such a part of Eric, that a great number of folks never knew it was only his stage name and just knew him as Harry. He then grew tired of touring and being on the road so much, so he settled in with local bands and just played locally for a number of years. He also at this time started working at Manna Music, where he was employed for a number of years helping local musicians. Eric’s health eventually led him to discontinue playing in the band and working. He still enjoyed listening to great jazz music daily and continued to do so right up until the end. We can only hope that wherever he is now there is a piano waiting for him to play and a band waiting for him to join. Eric spent his last few months at the Mt. Baker Care Center while his health declined and always commented on how well the staff was taking care of him, especially Jon, Bonnie, Rebecca, Toni, Karly, and Tracie. Thank you all for taking such good care of Eric. Eric is survived by his wife, Tammy Quiram, and his beloved cat. Eric will always be remembered for his awesome musical talent, his broad intellect and his wicked sense of humor. Farewell Tribute Information There will be a celebration of life planned for Eric Sunday, January 27, 2013, at the Squalicum Boathouse from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Donations Information Memorials may be made to the Whatcom County Humane Society.

Eric A. Schinske

July 20, 1949 - December 17, 2012