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Sidney E. Mear

FUNERAL HOME

Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, Inc.

1704 Penfield Road

Penfield, New York

Sidney Mear Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Sidney E. Mear
Start: 2016-03-19T14:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Mear, Sidney E.

Pittsford: Sidney E. Mear, age 97, on March 13, 2016 peacefully went to be with the Lord. Predeceased by his parents, Lt. Col. S.E. and Verena Mear, and daughter Linda Mear Hurd. Survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Elizabeth Mear; daughter Karen Parker; sons Robert (Elizabeth) Mear, David (Deborah) Mear, Peter Mear; grandchildren David and Jeffrey Hurd, Christi Shannon, Tammy Fernandes, Christopher and Andrew Mear, Jacob Wilmer; 9 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Grace Fetter.

Sid was principal trumpet of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra from 1947 to 1968 after joining the orchestra in 1940. He was principal trumpet of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Mexico under Carlos Chavez from 1940 to 1942. He also played with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy on a North American transcontinental tour in 1946 following World War II. He was Professor of Trumpet at the Eastman School of Music, having taught from 1940 while still a student until 1980. He graduated from the Eastman School with a Bachelor of Music degree and Performer's Award in 1941 and a Master's Degree in1949. During his orchestral career he performed under some of the world's most esteemed conductors/composers including Igor Stravinsky, Howard Hanson, Erich Leinsdorf, Eugene Ormandy, Carlos Chavez, Jose Iturbi, Sir Thomas Beecham, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Dmitri Mitropoulos.

As a child, Sid studied cornet with his father as well as world-renowned cornet soloists Herbert L. Clarke and Bohumir Kryl. He later studied with Pattee Evenson at Eastman. Immediately upon graduating from high school, Sid, on the recommendation of Herbert L. Clarke, joined the Horace Heidt big band. He was featured soloist on Heidt's 1937 recording of "Hot Lips" which reached #5 on US Billboard. During World War II, Sid served in the 184th Army Ground Forces Band and later with the First Combat Infantry Band which was the predecessor of the United States Army Field Band.

No prior calling. Sid's Memorial Service will be celebrated Saturday 10AM at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2000 Highland Ave. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may direct donations to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, 108 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14604.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle from Mar. 17 to Mar. 18, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Sidney Mear

Sponsored by Jennings, Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, Inc..

20 Entries

presley

January 4, 2023

he was my great-grandpa and I love him soo much my sister Sydney was named after him.

Mary L. Holton

March 12, 2021

Having shared so many years at NEMC together - at least from 1967 - it gives me great pleasure to remember Sid from his death to now, a mere 21 years! Hope you and Jim (who came above in July, 2020) have found each other "up there" ! Blessings on you both as you continue the journey...

John Thyhsen

March 11, 2021

I will never forget the 12 years of my life with Sid Mear. He was the most important individual in my life. Thank you John Thyhsen

John Thyhsen

March 11, 2020

I miss this great musician,teacher, father and friend. I pray that he will not be forgotten.

Jim Sakofsky

November 22, 2019

Mr.Mear was my first professional teacher as a young student in New England Music Camp in Maine in the mid 1950's, As I was unable to create a sound on the tumpet the first years of camp he would patiently play for my lessons the most beautiful music from many styles for me and encourqged me even though I made very little progress as a player. In my final year I asked him how I could learn how to play and he transformed into a spirited commanding mentor saying show up for your lessons early and leave late so you can get 2 actual lessons and then go out in that practice cabin and play 'till your face falls off! I did as he said and to the amazement of myself and many who knew my deficiencies and previous years of failures I was honored to be an Honor Musician that year. His kindness and grace have set the bar personally and professionally as in my later years I actually became a musician capable of performing cornet and piccolo solos professionally meeting and performing with world wide artists and friends from all over the world in every aspect of music. I still measure my work against his training and am grateful to him and his family for all the many kindnesses and love demonstrated to me as examples to be followed and trusted all my life.
God bless you and keep you and your family as while writing this I remember your dressing up in a canary costume and entertaining us with your humor and precision while you and Karl the violinist pranced across the stage performing Hot Canary without a miss!!
You were the Trumpet player of the decade while you were with us and much beloved by all who got to know you. Thank you,
Jim Sakofsky

Jo Anne Edwards

March 12, 2019

John Thyhsen says it so well. I still think of Sid every day.

John Thyhsen

March 11, 2019

This teacher,artist,musician,person was one of the most influential teachers in my life. He had a wealth of musical knowledge to offer as a teacher, performer and friend to me as a growing, maturing musician,performer and teacher. I miss his sensitivity, dedication and trumpet sound . He is deserving of total recognition from the Eastman school of music for his dedication as a professor of trumpet at this institution of higher learning. May we never forget this.

Rebecca Dru

July 31, 2016

Sending love to all of you. I have fond memories of summers at New England Music Camp...
Rebecca Dru (one of the Wilsons)

June 2, 2016

Just now - June 2nd - reading for the first time, the legacy of "Sid Mear," I am thrilled to have known him. He, his wife, and ALL his wonderful family will be cherished forever at that place in Maine we've all come to love. Blessings on the family that survives him! We are numbered with the rest...

Brian Burkhart

March 24, 2016

To Pete, Dave, and the rest of the Mear family, my sincerest and deepest condolences. My only specific memory of Mr. Mear (as I remember him) was taking his son, Pete, and a few of us neighborhood kids to "The Gully" (as we referred to it in the neighborhood) to look for fossils. I knew he played trumpet for the RPO but I had no idea how much his life was filled with music and that he passed his love and appreciation of music on to others. I will always remember him as a kind person.

Eastman, October 2007, special Sid Mear commemoration; Boyd Hood, Sid, Jo Anne Edwards, Bette, John Thyhsen

Jo Anne Edwards

March 21, 2016

Jo Anne Edwards

March 21, 2016

I am so sad to hear of Sid's death. Even fifty-one years after studying with him at Eastman, I think of him every time I pick up the trumpet. He was a wonderful teacher and played with such musicality and such a beautiful tone that I strive every day to emulate him.

I was privileged to meet all of Sid and Bette's children at NEMC or the UofR. I remember one particular trip home from NEMC in 1963 or 1964 when Sid and Bette very generously made space for me in the family car, which was already crowded with four or five people, the dog, and the gear from a summer at camp.
I'm sending my prayers and thoughts to the family and thinking of all in the trumpet community who were blessed to cross paths with this wonderful man.
Jo Anne (formerly Almendinger) Class of 1965

Karl Appell

March 21, 2016

To Pete and the Mear Family,

I was very sad to hear of Sids passing. I have many happy memories of our band playing in the Mear basement and Sid and Betty happily putting up with us. Sid once payed me one of the best compliments I have ever received, and I will never forget it. His touring and playing history was unbelievable. The music community has lost a great player. I am proud to have known him.

Eileen Murphy Knowles

March 20, 2016

Mr.Mear was one of my chamber music coaches while a student(horn) at Eastman School,class of 1977.He was also a friend of my trumpet playing parents,Georgia (Stieler)and Edward Murphy.My mother was a trumpeter at Eastman,class of 1947.He was always such a kind,and generous teacher.Many fond memories. May he rest in peace.

John Thyhsen

March 19, 2016

Here was the most beautiful trumpet player. He made me aware of so much music, musical styles and musicianship that has come with me all my professiional and playing career. I am so thankful to him as a friend, colleague, performer and educator that words cannot express my gratitude and love for a wonderful person in my life. To his family i am equally honored to have had the chance to know them and appreciate their taking me under their wing in so many ways. Thank you Sid for you love of music and your love for helping others like me to become a musician/educator all my life.
Thank you over and over.

Mike Duffy

March 17, 2016

My prayers for Pete and the family from another member of the Dale Road neighborhood. Sid was an amazing musician and I am pretty sure he is now preforming for the choir of angels in heaven.

Will Heinrich

March 17, 2016

Despite a long absence from Dale Rd, I have always had warm place in my heart for the Mears. To me Sidney Mear was that genial man across the street, the one who once led us down into Corbett's Glen to look for fossils and whose youngest son, Pete, was my first best friend. It was only many years later that I learned he was a legendary performer and teacher, and that "studied with Sidney Mear" is a mark of excellence for a trumpet or cornet player. I am so very happy that I had the chance to visit with Sid and Bette when I was in town a year or so ago. To Bette, Katherine ("Candy" to me -- my first baby sitter!), Bob and Dave (from whom I learned about soccer), and especially Pete -- my deepest and sincerest condolences.

Marianne Hall

March 17, 2016

Dear Bette, David, and family,

You and Sid are in our prayers.

It was a wonderful experience to share David's wedding to Lisa with all of you. Thank you for that.

Love,
Marianne and Richard Hall

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