Sad times. He was not only a musical talent but a truly giving and compassionate soul. He played such an integral part in the community- founding the Clearwater organization, playing charity benefits, visiting schools and even donating enough money so that one of the elementary schools could continue an annual music festival for their 3rd graders when funding was cut.
I was lucky enough to student teach in two of the elementary schools in the Beacon City district in 2011. Every kid in that school knew who he was and why he was so important to their community. They knew about his efforts to clean up the Hudson River and his passion was contagious- they held his efforts near and dear, displaying that same passion and enthusiasm for the river themselves. That year, he won a Grammy for an album featuring a number of students from the district. When I came in the following day, the whole school was abuzz with the happy news. The kids were ecstatic and so proud to be part of something so great. It was a beautiful thing. He will be greatly missed.
