2024 Beaver Island
Irish American
Hall of Fame Inductees

Beaver Island Irish American Hall of Fame Class of 2024

PATRICK BONNER (Area of Contribution: Arts & Entertainment)
Patrick was the youngest child of Irish immigrants from Co. Donegal, he was born on Beaver Island in 1882 and married Rose Boyle in 1916. He received his first fiddle when he was 12 years old and learned to play by listening to first generation Irish fiddlers on Beaver Island. He was in demand as a dance fiddler for the many celebrations and gatherings on the Island. Legendary folklorist and ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax spent time on Beaver Island in 1938 recording Bonner’s music for the Library of Congress. Pat also wrote poems relating to Irish and Beaver Island heritage; some of which were recorded by Alan Lomax. Another well-known folklorist, Ivan Walton, of the University of Michigan was a collector of Great Lakes music and ballads. He recorded Bonner’s ballad “The Clifton Crew”. Pat was also proficient in lilting (Irish mouth music). His lilting was taped for the archives of U of M and MSU. Pat made a living as a farmer and worked other jobs on the Island when available; but his first priority was his fiddle. He was playing music until shortly before his death at the age of 91. Recently a book was written by Glenn Hendrix and Caoimhin Mac Aoidh “Islands of Fiddlers” the fiddle tunes of Patrick Bonner.

CYNTHIA GILLESPIE CUSHMAN (Area of Contribution: Cultural Heritage)
Cindy is being recognized for her lifelong expression of, and support for, Beaver Island’s Irish-American musical traditions; the island’s cultural and historic ties to Ireland; and the continuation of both through changing times. She inherited her love for music through her extended family, learning guitar from her father Jewell and old Irish songs from her mother Rita, and being influenced by the music of her brother Danny, the late Edward Palmer, and Arranmore native John Duffy – the last three people being recipients of this award themselves. Cindy has played an essential role in revitalizing and maintaining direct ties between Beaver Island and Donegal through her travels to Arranmore going back decades – weaving enduring friendships rooted in shared ancestry that nourish our special transatlantic bond to this day. Her deep reverence and affinity for the soul of the Irish people, and their difficult historic journey from their ancient homeland there to their new homeland here, are keenly recognized by islanders of both places. Cindy has honored our ancestors – their sacrifices, their gifts, and their undying presence – in her heart, and through her countless efforts to highlight and preserve our beloved cultural identity.

GLENN HENDRIX (Area of Contribution: Arts & Entertainment, Special Recognition)
Glenn Hendrix is an author and fiddler with a special passion for preserving and playing the music of Beaver Island and Michigan. He and his family have been summer residents of Beaver Island for over 50 years. When Glenn was 15, he met Patrick Bonner, along with other notable Island musicians over the years. Glenn played on Beaver Island with Ed Palmer’s band at Homecoming dances, for the Beaver Island Club of Grand Rapids parties, at the Glen McDonough Memorial Concert, at the Beaver Island Community School, and most recently for the TUNES benefit dance and dinner on Beaver Island. He often plays with Danny Gillespie and Friends as a guest fiddler. Glenn was honored to play for Patrick Bonner’s induction into the Michigan Irish-American Association Hall of Fame in 2015 at the Muskegon Irish Music Festival. He recently played on Arranmore at the Feile Roise Rua.

Glenn wrote Songs of Beaver Island for the Journal of Beaver Island History. Glenn recently published (with co-author Caoimhín Mac Aoidh) Islands of Fiddlers, Fiddle Tunes of Patrick Bonner, Beaver Island, Michigan, a book with music notation for Patrick Bonner’s fiddle tunes, histories of the tunes and stories of how the music of County Donegal came to Beaver Island.

D. ARCHIE LaFRENIERE (Area of Contribution: Business and Industry)
Archie was born on Beaver Island in 1912 to Nels and Sophia Boyle LaFreniere. Archie spent his life on Beaver Island. He introduced Summer Tourism to the Island, making it a popular summer destination, after the bottom fell out of the Fishing Industry and so many were forced to leave the Island. Through the years, he quietly helped many in need and provided employment opportunities for the Islanders. He partnered in the founding of the Beaver Island Boat Company, founded the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce, The Isle Haven Tourist Court, The Beaver Island Gift Shop, and with his Father, founded The Shamrock Bar, which for many years was a social hub on the Island—used for everything from legal hearings, wedding celebrations and even a trial. When his beloved wife, Francis Connaghan LaFreniere, passed, he initiated the construction of the California Redwood Cross that overlooks the Harbor. He was an amazing, self-taught artist, and many Islanders have his artistic Indian Ink Art Rocks in their homes even today.

RODNEY NACKERMAN (Area of Contribution: Public Service)
Rodney C. “Bud” Nackerman was born to Frank and Grace (Campbell) Nackerman in 1930 on Beaver Island, MI. He was born in the farmhouse on Barney’s Lake Road and enjoyed his childhood on the island. He left at 17 to begin his working career at Schroeder’s gas station in Pontiac and then joined the U.S.A.F. He was a Crew Chief and Veteran of the Korean War. It was during this time that a written correspondence began with Ruth Ann – he proposed with a ring in a coffee can via US Mail, and they were married in Cadillac in 1954. Their family relationships were built on a strong foundation of faith in God through the Catholic Church. Rod bought a milk delivery business and was a Sealtest Milkman for 10 years. He was a foreman at Pontiac Motors for 22 years, and he also started Tabletop Tax Service in 1960, spending 50 years as a tax preparer in over 300 clients’ homes.

Fascinated with his Irish heritage and the history of Beaver Island, Rod dedicated countless hours to researching and documenting his family’s genealogy. He traveled to Arranmore and was known for sharing his knowledge about his lineage and the island’s history with anyone interested. He even helped other families trace and document their island and Irish ancestry. 

Rod’s involvement extended beyond his personal interests. In Lake Orion, he was a dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Crittenton Hospital Auxiliary, FISH, and the “No One Dies Alone” program. His contributions to Beaver Island were equally significant. Active in various local organizations and Peaine township, he was nominated for “Citizen of the Year” and received an award for his volunteer work. 

As a committed AMVET of Post 46, Rod attended meetings, events and spent hours helping with the landscape work and watering the flowers at the Veterans Memorial Park.  He loved to help with planting and watering – he did the same at the Community Center, Print Shop Museum and the Holy Cross Cemetery. These are great examples of the simple yet impactful ways Rod was there for his community. 

His engagement with the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce was another testament to his community spirit. As a director, board member, and volunteer, Rod welcomed visitors to the island, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge, and even driving the tour van for over 10 years. One of his greatest joys was offering guided tours around Beaver Island, highlighting its historical, geological, and cultural landmarks. 

Rod also served as a board member and a dedicated volunteer for decades with the Beaver Island Historical Society. He spent countless hours lending a hand for any chore – he painted the Print Shop Museum and stairs, painted the Bob S at the maritime museum, moved and setup donated fishing and farming items to be displayed, and for many years, after Sunday mass, he walked over the Print Shop museum for his long time Sunday shift at the front desk – a highlight of his week for him. 

Upon his passing, the Beaver Island Historical Society said “the Island community has lost a great friend, cheerleader, worker, mentor and so much more. Rodney’s commitment to the Beaver Island Historical Society is highly regarded and rarely duplicated. His knowledge of the Island and his ease in sharing that knowledge will be greatly missed.” In his memory, his grandchildren donated a desk to the museum, which now welcomes visitors in his spirit.

Rod lived a fascinating life rooted in his island childhood, a love of travel and the outdoors, devotion to his family, service to others, and most of all, kindness, cheerfulness, humor and good will.

LORETTA SLATER (Area of Contribution: Religion)
Loretta Slater was born on July 1, 1941. She was the first child of 7, born to Daniel Archie LaFreniere and Frances Bernell (Connaghan) LaFreniere, on Beaver Island, MI. Loretta learned the importance of Faith, Community and generosity of the Spirit at a young age. Following her Mother and Father’s loving guidance, Loretta became an active volunteer at Holy Cross Catholic Church, when she was just a child. This became the gateway for her lifetime of volunteer services to her Church and Community. As a child, she would gather altar flowers with other children for Sunday services. She, with the other Community children, would volunteer to bus tables at the annual August Chicken Dinner. During the time she lived in the Lansing and DeWitt, MI areas, she volunteered at Church BINGO nights and she taught CCD/Religious Education. Loretta was actively immersed in her Community—working through her Church, delivering Meals on Wheels to the elderly and shuttling the sick or disabled to their Medical Appointments. Moving back to Beaver Island, Loretta was one of the first to be certified as a Hospice Care Provider on the Island. She has volunteered her time and efforts annually for bake sales, chicken dinners, pancake breakfasts, funeral luncheons and just about any occasion that required volunteers or food donations. She continues to serve as a Eucharistic Minister and can still be found selling raffle tickets outside of Church, and you may have noticed that after all these years, she’s still at her post helping out in the Dessert Room for the August Chicken Dinner. She is determined to stay an active and helpful member of her Island Community, and Holy Cross Church, which she loves with all her heart.

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