Duane Boles, 1966- 2015 – in memory

Here in Waterloo Region this week we lost a favourite guitarist. Duane Boles pasted away this Sunday after a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer.

I had the honour to play and rock out at his funeral today.  The packed church was filled with humorous stories as Duane was the loveable character.  It was sad but in our gathered mourning there was hope, community and the presence of God lifting every one of us.

I am writing this because I wanted to share about Duane the guitarist.  Wow, was he talented.  A brilliant ear and a touch that was the definition of “feel”.   He was so humble, in the ways he meshed his personality with his guitar playing.

With his talents he reached out to people in many ways. When I first met him he just composed a song for a woman who had  breast cancer and he played it for her in the hospital.  He seemed surprised that he could compose at all.  But that was Duane’s character; like a child of God, each creative moment was a blessing, a celebration and something to be cherished, all at the same time.

How is it that someone can die, when their memory, music and creativity have impacted our lives so much?  We jammed, joked and locked the groove together.  Those memories will live in me forever and for all the others he played with as well.

As Duane has moved on to jam in a place of peace, he leaves behind a rich memory of thoughtfulness, grace and humour.

Hopefully there is a section in heaven for guitarists who like really bad jokes….. till we meet again, my friend.

Stephen Zurakowsky