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Roland Bowks Obituary
Rochester - On October 8, 2018. Survived by his loving partner Maria (Papp) Washington; her children Jeremy & Kristina; lifelong friends Calvin & Eileen Young & many loving friends. Ron was heavily involved in the music community including Kodak Concert Band, Rochester Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Gateswingers Big Band & many others. Ron touched many lives with his music & impacted so many people in his lifetime.
Friends are invited to call at James R. Gray Funeral Home, 1530 Buffalo Rd Friday, Oct 12 from 3-7 pm where a Service will follow. Burial with Military Honors Saturday 11 am in Oatka Cemetery, Scottsville-Mumford Rd (Rt 383) just west of Village of Scottsville.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roland Bowks
Sponsored by James R. Gray Funeral Home.
October 5, 2020
When October comes along, I remember Ron..his smile, laughter and kind, giving ways. May God remind me to pass those things I saw in Ron , to others.
Kathy Clayton
October 5, 2020
Another year has passed, I still think of the good times! RIP
You are missed❤
October 6, 2019
Dear Maria & Bowks family,
It is with sincere sympathy and shock to hear about Ron. I saw him last year at the end of summer and he was looking so forward to head south sometime because the Rochester winters were too cold for him.
I met Ron at Kodak in the 1980's and was friends ever since. We played alot of tennis together, talked of his love for music/bands, people and love of Maria. I feel a loss in my heart.
He was a humble man, who loved people, music
and life. With my sincere condolences,
Karyl Kross
"KK"
Kathy Pfeiffer-Clayton
October 5, 2019
Hard to believe that you have been gone almost a year.
Think of you often and miss our chats.......
Sylvia Sue Best
October 5, 2019
Think of you often Ron. The Auburn civic band still gets together twice a year with the Kodak Band. Rest assured we will keep the tradition going . We miss you.
October 15, 2018
As Director of the Damascus Shriner Band I am very saddened by Ron's passing. He was an excellent member of my band's trombone section. Regretably my schedule did not let me attend any of the services at the funeral home. My prayers are with Ron and his family.
Frank Russell
Stephen Avery
October 13, 2018
I have known Ron for many years in Drum Corps and outside socially. He is and always will remain in my memories. RIP old friend!
Heide Jorgensen
October 13, 2018
I am so sorry to hear about Ron's passing. He was
A wonderful person and talented musician. I asked him last year if he was interested in performing with our singing group , The Irondequoit Chorale, in a joint concert. He was more than pleased and so co-
Operative and enthusiastic. The concert took place at Bishop Kearney H.S., which he arranged for us at no cost to us. It was a grea concert and he was a joy to work with. He will be greatly missed.
Robert
October 12, 2018
Great Friend and human Being, an excellent musician and player in the Latin Music where my self played the piano. We will always remember you.
October 12, 2018
Ron was the consummate musician and one of the kindest people we've ever met. My husband, Sam Favata, played keyboards with him many times in various bands. He was also at many of our "Sam Jams".
Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. We love him and will miss him and his beautiful music, terribly.
Sincerely, Sam and Jennifer Favata
October 12, 2018
I never had the pleasure of meeting Ron personally but as a member of the Auburn Civic Band I greatly appreciated his talent and yearly visits, along with other members of the Kodak Band, to one of our summer concerts. Thanks Ron, you will be missed.
I will remember Ron's family in my prayers.
John
John Baccoli
October 12, 2018
I will miss Ron's kindness and sense of humor. I had the privilege of playing with and for him in big bands, pit orchestras, and small jazz ensembles. What a loss to so many musicians in the Rochester area. A friend to all, who always appreciated participating in a good groove, even if it was only on claves! I will miss you, Ron.
Brian Wilkins
October 12, 2018
Ron was a great trombone player, and an even better person-kind to all and very humble. I remember him as a wonderful band leader when I played with him in the old Greater Rochester Jazz Orchestra, the Gates Swingers, and the Greece Concert Band. RIP Ron you will be missed.
Gary Melville
October 12, 2018
Played for Ron in various Pit Orchestras for Community Musicals and w/ the RMJO years ago. Too many fond memories to note. Ron was the "real deal," who "walked the walk." A humble Renaissance Man who leaves a huge void in the local music community. RIP and God Bless.
Brian Wilkins
October 12, 2018
Ron was a great trombone player and and even better person. He was kind to everyone, humble, and was a great band leader. I learned a lot from him playing in the the old Greater Rochester Jazz Orchestra, Gates Swingers, and Greece Concert Bands. RIP Ron you will be missed.
Auburn Civic Band
Sylvia Best
October 11, 2018
We are st a loss for words. The Members of the Auburn Civic Band send their sincere condolences to Maria and all that knew Ron! He will be sorely missed. Sue and Jim Best
Kate Janicki
October 11, 2018
Ron was the perfect gentleman, humble and kind. I had the opportunity to take care of his doberman, Angel, when he went out of town years ago......phenomenal musician and orchestra leader.....I'm so sad I didn't get a chance to say goodbye Ron . Like so many others I'm sure, you held a special place in my heart. ...See you in heaven.
Kate
October 11, 2018
Rest in Peace Dear Ron. You brought joy to so many people with your music.
With love,
Maggie
Dale Montondo
October 11, 2018
Everytime I saw him I smiled! Happyness surrounded him. I will keep that memory forever. Thanks Ron for being a beautiful person.
Claire McCarthy
October 11, 2018
My deepest sympathy to Ron's family and friends.
I met Ron when I joined the Kodak band two years ago.It was an honor to know him and so much fun to make music under his direction.
He told me that his birthday was on the Feast of the Holy Angels. I will always remember him in my prayers and especially on the Feast of the Holy Angels.
Anne F. Kriz
October 11, 2018
Lovely man and great musician. I enjoyed playing lovely music with Ron. in Brighton Symphony. Condolences to his family. So sorry for your loss.
Kathryn Jansen Loncle
October 11, 2018
So sorry to hear about Ron. Enjoyed working with him for many years when he was with the Kodak Band and I was with Kodak's Total Sound Singing Group. Always a smile and warm greeting to everyone.
Michael Blundell
October 11, 2018
We were very sorry to hear of Ron's passing, he was one truly fine gentleman and it was an honor and a privilege to have known him. - Mike & Barb Blundell
Jim Schoeneman
October 11, 2018
I worked with Ron at Kodak and he was an excellent person and leader.
Because of his music, I was also able to see Ron numerous times throughout the years. I was always greeted with that huge smile and a warm hug.
I know he will be missed. RIP Ron
Roger and Roseanne Hazard
October 11, 2018
So sorry to hear of Ron's passing. We have enjoyed many, many of his concerts over the years, and feel like I have lost a good friend. God Bless All of You. Roseanne and Roger Hazard
October 11, 2018
I marched with Ron in the hay day of the State Championship Aquinas Band and Color Guards (1964, 65 & 66....1970s. Ron always came back to his Aquinas Alma Mater when needed or asked.
Love to see him preform at the Jazz Festival with his Metro Band. Always had that Trobone in his hand. Rest in Peace Ron.
John Palermo AQ67'
October 11, 2018
To Ron's Family and Friends, I worked with Ron at Kodak and remember him fondly. He was one of the "GOOD GUYS" , easy going and loved making music. I am very sorry for your loss, Sincerely, Tony Molinari
Sandra Bowks Hawkins
October 11, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Kathleen Clayton
October 11, 2018
Rest In Peace my friend....❤
Anthony Sapienza
October 11, 2018
I had the pleasure of meeting Ron when he and his "Big Band" played in my club, Taylors in East Rochester. After that, he would visit me on some of the slower nights and we we solve the problems of the world. Our friendship flourished for years especially when we started playing tennis together at Kreag Road Park. We played for a few years with the understanding that I wouldn't lobby the ball close to the net (because he had a sore knee) and he wouldn't hit the ball too frequently to my (poor) left side. We had plenty of laughs. I regret not seeing Ron more often after that, but I truly cherish the times we did spend together forever!
Debbie Twamley-Griffith
October 11, 2018
Condolences to Ron's family RIP
Aquinas 1966
Aquinas Alumni Office
October 11, 2018
God Bless our Aquinas Brother
Ron Woodcook
October 11, 2018
So sorry to hear of Ron's passing. Many fine memories from Drum Corps to the time he brought his band to play for the nursing home my mother was in. Ron will truly be missed. God speed.
Michael Dempsey
October 11, 2018
I first met Ron when we marched the the Irondequoit Statesmen drum corps in 1964 and again in 1972 when we marched with the Rochester Crusaders National Championship drum corps in 1972. He was a consummate musician & a friend to all who knew him.
Gary Goldstein
October 10, 2018
There just isn't enough words to express the love over the years I have had for "RB"......from meeting him as a fellow baritone player in the 1973 Crusaders as a rookie,Ron took me under his wing to teach me with a wonderful attitude and determination to bring the best out of me. Continuing on through the years, I experienced his excellence and friendship as he instructed national champions Cadets of Greece and many other fine brass lines! My deepest condolences to the family and just hope to one day play in God's drum corps with "RB" and talk over old times....Godspeed,Ron!
Mary Larkin
October 10, 2018
Such sad news! I knew Ron through the Kodak Band and also Mighty St. Joe's Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps. Ron was always a gentleman and had so much class. He will be greatly missed in the Rochester music community.
Kat Kardas-Hillestad
October 10, 2018
Love ya Ron. May you rest in peace. Maybe you will meet up with my mom.
Joann Malia
October 10, 2018
You were one of a kind,Ron, a kinder soul I have never meet. I feel blessed that our paths had crossed. Rest in peace,my dear friend.
Jerry Cintron
October 10, 2018
My condolences to the family of this fine gentlemen. He was an encouragement to us all in Mighty St. Joe's Alumni Corps. We embraced his humble demeanor and I thank God I was able to wish him a Happy Birthday and interjected what I felt about him as an instructor. I received a reply of his appreciation to my comment and still, it was a humble reply. God's got a new member in His orchestra.
October 10, 2018
Directing "Big Spender" 1995 Mighty St. Joe's Alumni
Jerry Cintron
October 10, 2018
My condolences to the family of this fine gentlemen. He has encouraged us all with his humble demeanor. I had just got through wishing him a Happy Birthday and I told him he was he was the very few I admired and I thanked him for being him. He replied to me and told me he appreciated my comments. I thank God I was able to tell him how I felt about him before he left.
Ray Elliott
October 10, 2018
I'll be thinking of Ron everytime I pick up a trombone. He was a great instructor, and even a better human being. He will be greatly missed!!
Missie Hoefer
October 10, 2018
Forever in my ❤ RIP Ron.
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