Ronald W Thayer

Ronald W. Thayer, 75, of Plainfield, NJ passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Born in Albany, NY, he was predeceased by parents, Richard James Thayer and Margaret (Heath) Thayer, and nephew, Richard J. B. Thayer. He is survived by his sister, Marcia Thayer Way (Sandy), brothers Richard L. Thayer (Dawn), James L. Thayer (Michelle), a number of nieces and nephews, and dear friend & musical partner, Edwin Lopez.  Ron was a pianist, organist, voice teacher and choral conductor. He performed in two-piano and 4-hand-piano-duet recitals with pianist Edwin Lopez, including a concert in France sponsored by La Ligue Nationale (the French national cancer society). Ron received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in performance from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ. He served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, stationed in Seoul, South Korea. There he still pursued his love of music, forming and leading the Seoul Collegium Chorale. Ron devoted a number of years of his life to pipe organ building and maintenance, and was instrumental in helping to design and install the 5,124-pipe Gilbert F. Adams organ at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, in Plainfield, New Jersey. To say that music was Ron’s passion is an understatement; it was his life! He lived life with great enthusiasm and spirituality, dreamed beyond the possibilities, and demonstrated profound generosity that touched many, many lives!

In lieu of flowers, donations to the “Organ Endowment” through Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, to help maintain the gorgeous Gil Adams Pipe Organ that Ron loved so much, would graciously honor his memory.

A memorial service is planned for January 11, 2020, 10 a.m., at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, 716 Wachung Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060

A service in celebration of his life will be May 2, 2020 at 11:00am and held at the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem, 38 Church Road, Selkirk, NY 12158, followed by burial at Elmwood Cemetery, Selkirk, NY, with a light repast at the church afterwards

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