Harry Force, dead at 67.
Harry was the owner of O’Bannon’s Bar in Telluride. He loved the mountains of Colorado, hunting and traveling.
He is survived by his children: Angie Clark and husband Matt of Decatur, Ill., along with their children, Josh Hill and Noah Clark; Tim Force and wife Laura of Chicago, Ill., along with their daughter, Alexandra. Harry is also survived by his siblings, Evan Force, Barb Tippit and husband Chuck, and Debra Ragan and husband Bill along with many nieces and nephews.
Harry was preceeded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Force, and his sister, Donna Shelly.
A memorial service was held on Monday, Aug. 23, at Telluride Town Park.
Visit the website, sign the online register and send condolences to his family at www.SunsetMesaFunearlDirectors.com.
We all kept in touch and camped in that old park boneyard each year until Harry decided to move out here and purchased Obannion's .He was a good man, so generous and good to his long time employees and friends. So many memories from the early years when he had bands at the pub, many early morning coffee and Bloody's reading the newspapers before the bar openedand many late nights . Harry always enjoyed talking about his world travels and showing me photos of his trips. He got to know my young sons from our annual trek to the Bluegrass festival and years later always wanted to know where they were at and what they were doing . He always welcomed the many friends I brought to Telluride over the years and made them feel like family at his bar.One of the true characters of Telluride will be missed
Harry would indeed talk politics with you, but not if you were an idiot. Gruff? No. Able to discern character in an individual? Always.
OB's Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Telluride-CO/OBannons-Irish-Pub/36898669511
You may be heartened to know his memorial in town was well attended (200-400 people, depending on who you ask). Around town, the main thing I have been hearing is memories of Harry's outsized generosity, both public and private versions.
I always liked Harry- he sponsored our town-league soccer team back in the early 90's and I got to know him a little then. As for temperament, you just had to know what to ask. If you wanted to talk town politics, for example, he wasn't interested and could get very gruff, but if you wanted to talk about his kids, his face would light up- he loved to talk about his kids.