Harry Alphin Obituary

Anacortes - Harry "Nick" Alphin was born August 27, 1935, in Glendale, CA. He passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2024. He was 89 years old.

Nick is survived by wife Suzanne "Suzie" Alphin of Anacortes, WA, and leaves behind many loving nieces and nephews.

Nick and Suzie were married for 58 years and lived many years in Toluca Lake, CA, surrounded by the many movie studios where Nick enjoyed a long career in film, mostly with the Disney studios. Nick's father was an original sound mixer for the movie industry when 'talkies' were first introduced and passed down his love for music and sound to Nick.

Nick was a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. His work in sound engineering on the 1984 film The River earned him an Academy Award nomination. Nick worked on other notable award-winning films and television shows such as Splash, Psycho, the A-Team, Born to Run, and The Tuskegee Airmen. Upon retirement, Nick fulfilled a life-long goal by enrolling into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Film.

On a trip to visit Nick's sister in Anacortes, Nick and Suzie fell in love with the beauty of the landscape, the crisp air, and warm culture and decided to make their home on Fidalgo Island in 2002.

Nick was affectionately known as the "Movie Man" in Anacortes where he was a member of the Anacortes Library Board of Trustees. Nick shared his literary and cinematic knowledge during annual series of movie screenings of Hollywood classics at the Anacortes Library. He offered delightful anecdotes and technical tid-bits to watch for during the movies and led lively discussions after final credits rolled.

His passion for music extended to performance beginning with participation in the Anacortes Senior Ukulele Ensemble which led to the formation of the wildly successful musical group, the "Backyard Band". The Backyard Band, consisting of up to sometimes eight members, including Suzie, as well as Nick's sister Bunky, was booked by local charities, private parties, and city events where all enjoyed the bluegrass clap-along songs.

Nick will be remembered for his love of storytelling. He could entertain a room for hours with colorful accounts of his times working with stars like Willie Nelson, Bob Hope, Rock Hudson, Linda Evans, John Wayne, and of course, Walt Disney. But, to the many of us who loved Nick so much, he will always be a one-of-a kind super star.

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