Obituary

William J. Sweeney, a dedicated and gifted music educator, died December 20, 2008, at the age of 68.   Bill was a teacher for the Arlington Central School District from 1967 to 1999.  During his 32 years of service, Bill was the director of Arlington’s extraordinary Wind Ensemble, led the Arlington Admirals Marching Band to championship victories in 1983 and 1985, and built one of the finest school music programs in the country as coordinator of music.  Hundreds of Bill’s students continued their musical education to become teachers and professional musicians, and so many more continued to make music an integral part of their lives.  He grew up in Gasport, NY, and was a graduate of SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. A resident of Canandaigua, NY, since his retirement in 1999, Bill served as a frequent guest conductor and as an instructor at Ithaca College supervising student music teachers. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William and Emma Sweeney. He is survived by Linda, his loving wife of 46 years; his daughters, Laura (Scott) Brophy of Canandaigua, Jill (Chris) Heuss of Yarmouth, ME, and Tara Sweeney (Vikram Capoor) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Nora, Will, Ryan, Caleb, Rachel, Milan, and Leela; brother Bob Sweeney; and sisters Maryanne Sweeney and Diane VanBourgondien. Memorial donations may be made to Serenity House of Victor, Inc., 1278 Brace Rd. Victor, NY 14564 or the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642. 

Comments

[Zev Haber]

Bill was an amazing teacher.... I loved playing in his jazz band .....and helped inspired my music career and so many others. Congradulation on a life well lived and a legacy that will endure