Hello Doris and Family,
So sorry to hear of Bob's transition to another phase of life's journey. Was so glad to have been able to meet you and Bob the past several years at Epworth's candle light services.
Yes, you, Bob and I all sang in the choir together under Oscar Gustafson's direction, while I was at North High, Bob's alma Mata, and during college years. Several summers during that time I enjoyed accompanying you on the organ when you sang solo selections.
In 1966 they locked me out of the church for some reason I will never know. I and my sister and family were so upset and disgusted at this that I left the church and joined Wesley Church and sang in their choir and played organ for the college student group at their Sunday eve. events. I always donated my summer organ pay to Epworth and Pastor Frye phoned me up one day and criticized me, asking what right I had to donate my full pay back to the organ/music fund of the church. I was speechless about that attitude of his.
My father taught the adult Bible study class for several years, repaired problems to the church sound system, participated along with me in the mem's group which was led by Mr. Swenson, I think, who was somewhat disabled and also served as the church's representative to the Worcester Ecumenical Group/radio/TV committee as he was the Chief Engineer at WTAG am and fm and WSRS fm for many years till his retirement in 1975.
I served a short interim as the church secretary in 1962 between college studies, put in many donated hours of analyzing the results of a whole church survey, was V.P of the senior MYF and played piano for their Sunday eve. services and played the organ for the North High students annual early morning Lenten Services at Epworth. I really loved my time at Epworth..it was the mainstay of my life and activities and the wonderful adults and friends there. I still cannot get over my sudden ostracizing from the officials of the church.
I remember your son, Kenny, as a nice person, about my sister Jean's age. I do not remember your daughter. Perhaps she was younger in age.
I have been playing the organ and directing choirs for many churches throughout the area for 55 years now, 25 years alone at Adams Square Congregational Church on Burncoat St as Church Administrator and Org/Dir.
I would like to attend Bob's memorial Service on Saturday at Epworth. However, as a 25 year member and a 7 year top officer of the Worcester Chorus at Mechancs Hall, I have been committed to attend our annual
summer outing at a chorus member's home off Salisbury ST. for our all chorus get-together just prior to fall rehearsals for Benjamin Britten's War Requiem. We will have over 200 singers, two orchestras singing in Latin for this very difficult and almost never performed selection in this area.
You and Bob have always been special friends to me for many decades. I have always treasured our times together and am privileged to have been colleagues thru the years.
Ken lives in Sandwich. He should visit our family homestead, museum, Grange hall and grist mill at the Nye Family of America Assn. at 85 Old County Rd. in East Sandwich, just opposite the old rail station/post office on Rte. 6A. It is open Tuesdays-Fridays during summer afternoons. Admission is only $3.00. Docents are on hand to guide people around. We also have a great web site to view. Benjamin Nye and Katherine Tupper were my immigrant ancestors on my mother's side being the original founders of the first town on the cape...13 generations ago in 1635.
Please know that I love you and am deeply saddened upon learning of Bob's passing. Thank you for making sure that I saw Bob last December at the Candle Light service reception. Our times together at Epworth will always be instilled in my memories.
Bless you and your family.
Elliot Nye Browning
Elliot Nye Browning
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Tuesday August 15, 2017
via Condolence Message
