Mr. Boo Yong Har's Obituary
Boo Yong Har of San Rafael, California passed away March 2, 2023 at a hospital in Marin County, surrounded by family members who were devastated to see him go. He was 82.
He was the third of six children born to Sang Duk and Wahn Soon Har in Seoul, Korea. When he was 36, he immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and two small children to join his siblings and their parents.
For 25 years he owned Winton’s News & Liquors in downtown San Rafael, and worked seven days a week so his children could have a better life. He had a cheerful smile for everyone and greeted regulars by name. Even in retirement, former customers would recognize him on the streets and stop to say hello.
Boo loved many things in life: a brisk walk in his beloved San Pedro Cove neighborhood, his community at St. Michael’s Korean Catholic Church, travel and sightseeing, fall foliage in Korea, his wife’s cooking, a good action or spy drama, and all of his iPhones.
He absolutely adored his granddaughter and marveled at her high spirits. He was so proud of his son, a lawyer. He loved that his daughter writes for The Associated Press, a news organization he knew of from Korea.
He taught us to work hard and try our best. He taught us to cherish family and our time together. His absence has left a massive hole. We miss him so much.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother Doo Yong Har and his wife, Soon Ja Har.
Surviving family includes his wife, Il Soon Har, of San Rafael, California; brothers Wohn Yong Har (Sue) of San Jose, California, Wahn Yong Har (Sunhui) of San Francisco and Dae Yong Har (Sunny) of San Diego; sister Sohui Ko (Jin Kwang) of Los Angeles; children Janie Har of San Rafael and Henry Har (Jennifer) of Mill Valley; granddaughter Hayden; and many nieces and nephews and their children.
Family requests contributions in lieu of flowers to World Vision; International Red Cross aid to Koreans in Ukraine.
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