Ronald J. Mori

BARRE - With very heavy hearts, the family of Ronald James Mori wishes to inform you that our beloved father passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

Born on September 28, 1939, in Barre, VT, he was the son of Virgilio and Eleanor Mori. Ronald attended Brook Street School and graduated from Spaulding High School in the Class of 1957.

Ron went on to attend Boston University and graduated with a Degree in Music. Ron met Andrea Carol Minyard while both were attending BU as music majors, and they married in Braintree, Massachusetts following their graduation. Music was paramount through Ron's life, as he followed in his father’s footsteps with a love of music education. Ron played many instruments throughout his life, but his primary was the Viola. Whether playing in his school groups as a student, or teaching and conducting across his music education career, Ron enjoyed sharing his passion and appreciation for music with all the students he enjoyed working with in the Vermont schools, the UVM summer music camps, the Weston Massachusetts public schools, and the Traveling Youth of America Orchestra on two European summer tours. He loved his years playing in the Vermont Philharmonic and the Concord Orchestra in Massachusetts. Ron also was fond of recalling his days playing in the Pit Orchestra at the Chateau de Ville in Framingham MA for touring celebrities that included Bob Hope, Wayne Newton, Tom Jones, and Jay Leno.

A staple of Ron's life since he was 11 years old was the opportunity to build a summer cottage with his parents on Peacham Pond in the 1950's. He absolutely loved spending as much time as he could there, sharing that experience with his own family and children and getting to watch his grandchildren enjoy the pond as well. Ronald and his family would like to thank all of our dear neighbors on Peacham Pond for the impacts their friendships and shared experiences had in his life.  He also wanted to thank all the students and fellow music educators and musicians with whom he was able to work with over his career. From his children Jon, Leslie, and Jennnifer we could not have had a better father ever present in our lives and will always have you in our hearts and minds until we get a chance to be together again. You were always there for us and welcomed our spouses and your grandchildren into your life with unwavering kindness and generosity.

Survivors include his children Jon, Leslie, and Jennifer; his ex-wife Andrea Minyard Mori, his daughter-in-law Amy, his son-in-law Gerald and his grandchildren Jillian, Kate, Lucas, Megan, Tyler, Natalie, and Christopher.

The service to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. Following the service, interment will take place in Hope Cemetery in Barre. To honor Ronald’s favorite color of blue, his family would like folks to wear something blue if they can.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association, at https://vyo.kindful.com

A special sincere thank you from the family and Ron to the entire incredible staff at the Residence at Quarry Hill in South Burlington as well as the Rehab team at Birchwood Terrace and the Hospice Care Team members from Bayada Health Services all of whom so caringly supported him.