Name: Visitation for JOHN G. DUNN
Start: 2022-12-29T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-12-29T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Solimine Funeral Homes - Broadway

DUNN, John G. Age 79, of Watertown, December 18. Headmaster Music Director Emeritus, St. Paul's Choir School in Cambridge. Survived by four brothers and their spouses, Ernie and Terri of Lynn, David and Patricia of Nahant, Tom and Deirdre of Lynn, and Bob and Audrey of Pepperell; many nieces and nephews, and his longtime friend, Joe Fratic of Arlington. Recently predeceased by his loving aunt, Mary Dunne. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, from 10AM-11AM in the Solimine Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Rt. 129), LYNN, with a Memorial Service beginning at 11AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. A public musical tribute to John will be arranged at a later date with a notice to follow. Directions and guestbook at www.solimine.com

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

Published by Boston Globe from Dec. 23 to Dec. 26, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN DUNN

18 Entries

Mary H. Holley

January 15, 2023

John was my organ coach in the mid 80's as he helped me prepare for two of the American Guild of Organists national exams. He was an exceptional and inspiring teacher in every way with his in-depth knowledge of organ literature as well as his ability to inspire and encourage every aspect of being an organist. He was generous with his time, despite heavy school responsibilities and took a personal and devoted interest in my musical goals. I treasure a long hand-written letter from him that congratulated me on passing the exams and encouraged me to strive for the next level. Always gracious and humble, he exemplified the finest attributes of musicians and the organ profession. I benefitted greatly from his unique gifts and his legacy. We are all blessed by the many beautiful hymn texts and compositions he shared. Truly a light has gone out in our community, but the glow of his rich life continues to radiate!
Mary H. Holley
Barnet, Vermont

Kristine Lessard

January 3, 2023

I remember John Dunn from 1979-80 after the incredible leadership started by Ted Marier was brought to Lynn, MA via Joe Policelli, who became organist and choir director at St. Pius. In 1980, the two choirs performed together in Cambridge, in Lynn and then at Tanglewood in 1981 when we sang Mahler's 8th symphony as part of the Children's chorus conducted by Seiji Ozawa. I later went to Mass many times at St. Paul's to hear John play the organ. I feel like I'm carrying on their legacy during my many performances in choruses around Boston. Their rigorous standards prepared me to sing demanding Classical works in Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall and other key venues with more to come. What a tremendous musical legacy he leaves.

Arthur Robillard, BACS '82

Planted Trees

Josie Yanguas

December 29, 2022

I was a "regular" neighborhood student at St Paul's (1972 graduate), and even though I was not in the choir school, we were the beneficiaries of boundless amounts of musical appreciation. Not only was Mr.Dunn a brilliant organist, he was also one my teachers (in math , I believe). I will always be grateful for having been exposed to music at such a young age. Mr Dunn will forever be part of the wonderful St Paul's legacy in that respect.
My sympathies to Mr. Dunn's family and friends. He will never be forgotten.

Jean Lefebvre and Jean Perrault

December 28, 2022

We met John in Florida when we flew there to escape Canadian winters, some five-ish years ago. We quickly became friends and, each year, would try to organize our travels to meet and spend time with him, both in Florida and/or in visits to Ogunquit, ME, in Spring and late Autumn. John was, always, an amusing conversationalist, and a source of wonderful and tasty recipes (He loved to cook)! We will miss him and the pleasure of his company for a long, long time.

Daryl Bichel

December 27, 2022

Many years ago John recommended me to The Seraphim Singers as board president, and after that he became a valued friend and mentor. I could always count on good advice and guidance from him about Seraphim as well as my own activities and aspirations as a musician and composer. We enjoyed regular lunches together over these past years. I will certainly miss our email exchanges and those meals together. I also want to mention his long standing interest and support for the Young Organists Initiative of the Boston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He believed the training of future organists was so important to the profession, and saw it as one of the most significant programs of the local chapter.

Richard George

December 27, 2022

John was one in a MILLION!!
Requiescat in Pacem meus amicus.

Tom Dunn

December 25, 2022

Solimine Funeral Homes - Broadway

December 25, 2022

The Solimine Family and Staff wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make this difficult period more bearable. Please feel free to call on us at anytime, as we are always available for you.

Maureen Sullivan Santoro

December 25, 2022

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Richard Bunbury

December 24, 2022

I´ve known John since I moved to Boston to attend the New England Conservatory in the late 1970s. First as Ted Marier´s assistant, and the principal of the choir school. He was a brilliant musician and had quite the quirky sense of humor. The last time I saw him it was while visiting Joe Policelli in the Rehabilitation Center, Joe was a very generous man.

Marcia Chase Karp

December 24, 2022

Jack Dunn. was my first friend when we were children growing up in. Lynn. His Aunt Della Baker and his grandmother were our neighbors and he was always a gifted. musician. I have so many fond memories of us growing up. I am so sorry for your loss. Our prayers go out to his family. Marcia Chase Karp (Tobin Family)

paul stanizzzi

December 24, 2022

i am so sorry to hear about john passing i just spoke with him 2 weeks ago and he said we have to get together for lunch or dinnere what happened to him

Rita Newark

December 23, 2022

We have been so fortunate to have had John in our lives. Under John's direction the Choir Boys sang at our wedding and our son, Steve, entered the Choir school in Grade 5. Here, through John's educational leadership, Steve was able to learn and grow in an appreciation of music and the deep meaning of liturgy.

We pay tribute to John for being totally dedicated to the mission of the Choir School and all the students who passed through. Many students have gone ahead in their careers because of his leadership and knowledge of each student.

We pay tribute to his passion and excellence and to his humor and loyalty as a friend.

Thank You John,
Rita and Steve Newark

The Illescas'

December 21, 2022

Mr Dunn thank you for your legacy and teachings to boys choir during the many years. God Bless You.
The Illescas' Class of 89'

Elizabeth Cawley, CSJ (Sister Mary Ellen)

December 21, 2022

I taught John at St. Mary's, Lynn, and he was an outstanding accompanist for the Glee Club that I directed there. Every time I saw him or heard from over the last several years, he would remind me that I was his last living teacher from St. Mary's. Brilliant students, superb musician, wonderful human being.

Jim & Barbara Swist

Planted Trees

Michael Sullivan

December 20, 2022

To John´s Family and Friends:

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

I have such fond memories of growing up in St Paul´s Parish and John. He had a tremendous impact not just on the Choir School but on the Parish Community. We were so lucky that he came to Cambridge to go to school and stayed with us. We were fortunate that he shared his many gifts with us. He was friends with multiple generations of my family.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Michael Sullivan

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