Volunteer....

[Thomas McNeil]

Hi, Ron-

Thanks for your offer of help. I just
l
learned of Danny's passing a few hours
ago. We've been working through a minor
calamity here: The ceiling of a large
classroom in the School of Music colapsed
. No one was in the room at the time,
but I do have (had?) a S&S D in there.
Engineers have been assesing the
structural situation and the potential
for asbestos contamination. Meanwhile
a two-story wing containing most of our
classrooms, a few faculty offices, most
of the piano majors' grands, our recital
hall and administrative offices is out
of commission - probably for several
months. We've been entering the restric
ted areas to recover equipment, relocating all
activities to other classroom buildings
all over campus, moving pianos, making
jury-rig arrangements. Did I mention
that I lost access to my usual computer
terminal?

Meanwhile, Gail has accepted a new
position as Executive Director of the
Barre (Vermont) Opera House and left
today to assume those duties. The girls
and I will follow, sooner or later.
But I've been plenty busy playing Mr.
Mom.

I will Miss Danny Boone - a lot. I've
known Danny quite a few years. His
joining the College & University Tech's
Committee this past summer marked our
first opportunity to work together on a
professional project. Danny was already
becoming a very important contributor to
that work, serving with great energy as
editor of our newsletter. Those shoes
will be very hard to fill indeed. I'm
still in shock, although I'm perhaps
very late to hear the sad news. Please
bear with me a little  while I try to
regain my equilibrium.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et
lux perpetua luceat ei.

_____________________

 Thomas McNeil                                  (716) 673-3247  voice
 SUNY Fredonia School of Music                  (716) 673-3397  FAX
 Fredonia, NY  14063

 E-mail:  McNeil@Fredonia.Bitnet   or   McNeil@A12T.cc.Fredonia.edu