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sarah ander posted a condolence
Thursday, May 13, 2021
I took lessons from Jim out of Clark Music on Erie Blvd in Syracuse through high school into college. I took lessons when I came home from college. He was a great teacher and so much fun. I obtained my gold cup. I am so sorry to hear this. He was like a family member during my teen years. Sarah Ander
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Helaine posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
I’m sorry to hear of the passing of James Lee. I enjoyed spending time and playing with him at the Pocono Flute Camp. He inspired us with his passion for music, his friendship and his quick wit. I’ll always remember the new music he introduced me to and will honor him whenever I play it. Rest In Peace, friend.
Helaine Brown
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Lish posted a condolence
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Though I only spent time with James Lee at the Pocono Flute Camp each summer, his enthusiasm, joy, and passion for fluting lifted everyone around him. His updates on the flute events he attended throughout the year and hearing about the new pieces he was working on was always exciting. I'm fortunate to have spent time laughing, being silly, and hearing about his life. I will miss him. ~Lish from NYC
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Ann Schwartz posted a condolence
Sunday, May 2, 2021
My sincere condolences to Jims family on his shocking passing. He and I have been friends for many, many years. I loved him and respected his talent as a musician, teacher and performer. We played piano ensemble before I moved to Rarity Bay, TN. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in Peace. Ann Schwartz
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Maritza Alvarado posted a condolence
Saturday, May 1, 2021
So sorry to hear of Jim's death. He taught a group of beginners piano in E. Syracuse. He was a patient and excellent teacher, always with a smile on his face and a quick anecdote about his family, who he cherished. RIP Jim, I'm sure the angels are enjoying your music.
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Rhonda Hungerford posted a condolence
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Jim was a Godsend to us Seniors who took classes with him thru OASIS. I benefitted from his vast knowledge for almost 10 years. He had the patience and sense of humor that was always encouraging and supportive. I am so shocked to hear he is gone. The only consolation is he seemed to enjoy the time he had. Jim will be missed.
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Amy Gigliotti posted a condolence
Saturday, May 1, 2021
The world will not be the same without Mr. Vatter in it. My son Michael and I were lucky to have received piano instruction from him—five years for me, 11 years for my son. I believe the benefits we both received from our time with him were tremendous. Mr. Vatter was an incredibly kind, patient, talented, and fun-loving person, and he obviously loved his family, and was so proud of them. My sincerest sympathy to all of you.
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Karen, Larry, Jeff and Jenna Kohn planted a tree in memory of James Vatter
Friday, April 30, 2021
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Thank you, Jim, for teaching our children to love music. You will be so dearly missed. Hope you meet all the great composers in the next life. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Karen Bacsik-Kohn lit a candle
Friday, April 30, 2021
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I was so sorry to hear that Jim has passed so early in life. His contributions to the Syracuse community were immense. He taught so many children piano with such grace, humor, and patience. I will always remember his kindness teaching both my children - Jeff and Jennifer. We shared so many great moments together……student recitals, private music gatherings, long conversations over lessons. We are all sad today, but so grateful to have shared our time on earth with Jim.
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Sheila Zarrella posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
To Mr. Vatter's family, we extend our deepest condolences.
The news came as such a shock and we are deeply saddened. Mr. Vatter was a wonderful teacher to my son Tony. I watched my son grow from a very timid student that barely knew how to play scales to a very confident player performing complex pieces in just 4 short years. I will especially cherish the videos of their duets together.
Mr. Vatter was also one of the nicest men I knew and he was a great friend. We enjoyed our conversations about our families, church and life. We will miss his great smile and his laughter.
Rest in peace Mr. Vatter. We will miss you!
Tony & Sheila Zarrella
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Karen Docter posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
Jim was my 1st friend @ OCC almost 49 years ago. OCC had but 2 buildings then-the Library & the Health & Maintenance Building. We all took the bus from the corner of Fayette and Salina St. to OCC. We brought our lunches in those days.
I was sitting on the crowded floor of the H & M Bldg next to the snow blowers when this fellow sat down and introduced himself; he was a skinny boy with huge round glasses . He was a Music major. I was Humanities. We had no classes together but stayed buds until graduation-me off to Cornell, Jim off to the College of St. Rose.
I ran into him in the 1980's when I was teaching and he invited me to his Civic Morning Musical performances. WHAT A TALENT!
We never lost touch again. When our twins were 3 years old, I called Jim and he "tested" them; he advised that they were too young but to come back in 2 years. We did and he became our children's teacher and dear friend. He came to their Bnai Mitzvah. He came to their post-recital parties. He came to my father's funeral. When our sons came home on college break, Jim was the only one outside of family they wanted to visit. But I miss speak; "Mr. Vatter" was part of our family.
We all adored him and will miss him.
And I, who knew him the longest and the best, will love him forever.
Karen Docter and Family
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Carol Rothwell posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
James was a great musician and a very kind man with a great sense of humor! I have very fond memories of playing in the Central NY Flute Choir and the Northwinds Flute Trio with him. He shall be greatly missed!
Carol Rothwell
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Ron Nuzzo posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
I was so saddened to hear of Jim's passing. As Conductor of the Phoenix Community Band, I worked with him when he joined as a flute player last year. He had a wonderful smile, was an enthusiastic player, had a great wit and a keen sense of humor which I will miss. Jim would often hand me a list of pieces that we should play which came from his vast knowledge of band literature.
I will remember Jim and his family in my prayers.
Rest in piece, Jim/
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Dan Jones posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
Jim was one of my favorite clients when I trained him for almost two years at Metro Fitness. He always had a great story to tell and was a great listener too. He was eager to learn, worked hard and liked to be challenged, even though he always had a smart remark to respond with ;)
Jim you are a great man who had a positive influence on everyone you met, you will be missed.
Dan Jones
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Kate McCaffrey posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
I remember Jim well from my days working at Onondaga Music Company. He was one of our favorite customers - a lovely, courteous man. We were always happy to see him, and had many conversations - about teaching and performing, and life in general. My sincere condolences to his family.
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Neva Pilgrim posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
We are all in shock at the death of this sweet man who lived and breathed music as a performer and teacher. We thought Jim's extended family might like to see comments from an email chain of NYSMTA board, including several past-Presidents.
Dear NYSMTA Colleagues,
A sad note to let you know that Jim (James Lee) Vatter passed away this last Saturday.
For those of you who knew him, he was a beautiful soul, who always had a positive outlook and a zest for trying all things new for his students. He is missed. Take care, Diane Birr, Past-President of NYSMTA
Thank you for the message, Diane. We are all saddened and shocked by the passing of our dearest friend and colleague. He lives on in our hearts with his sense of humor and kind, loving spirit. His 40-year impact on CNYAMT will be felt for years to come. Bernadette (Kessler) CNYAMT, but also on NYSMTA’s board
Your words about Jim are so apt, Diane. His was always a bright face. I believe I last saw him at our 2019 Symposium at Nazareth. He truly will be missed by us, his NYSMTA friends as well as so many others. We could have a tribute to James one of our NYSMTA memos. Beverly (Smoker) Past-President of NYSMTA
Sorry to hear this. My condolences, Ruthanne (Schempf)
His closest friends here are baffled by his sudden death! I often ran into him at the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. There was no indication he had any health issues. Neva (Pilgrim) Past-President of NYSMTA
So sorry to hear the sad news… My deepest condolences... Alexander (Peskanov)
Thank you for informing us of Jim's passing. He was a very active participant when I joined NYSMTA in the mid 1980's. We are all very sorry to hear this news. Stay well.... Michael Merolla, Past-President of NYSMTA
Thanks for the note about James Vatter. Sad note, indeed.
Be well, Zelma (Bodzin) Past-President of NYSMTA
"Thank you for the message about Jim. I am also deeply saddened and shocked by his passing. I have known Jim for the past 5-6 years, and recently spent a lovely day with him at the Baroque/Sonatina Festival this past March. He was his usual joyous, funny, and caring self. It was such a pleasure to have known him. His spirit will surely live on and his influence on so many remembered. Best, Jacob (Ertl)
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Carol Terry posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
James....a caring, kind and gentle man who cared deeply for music, his students, and others... Always a joyful conversation at a chance meeting at Wegman's. Rest, my friend.
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Kathy Bartley posted a condolence
Friday, April 30, 2021
Jim was such a talented teacher and wonderful person. He made our lessons fun by sharing his stories! It takes a special person to work with seniors. He will be missed by so many. My condolences to Jim’s family.
Kathy Bartley
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David Enos lit a candle
Thursday, April 29, 2021
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Jim and I were roommates decades ago. I have such fond memories of him. In addition to enjoying hearing him playing the piano, I often accompanied his flute playing at the church at which I was organist. I haven’t seen him in 15 years, and can’t believe he is no longer with us. Rest In Peace, Jim.
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Karen Tarala lit a candle
Thursday, April 29, 2021
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This is still so unbelievable to me. He was a great piano teacher and wonderful friend.
He will be missed by so many. Hugs and prayers to his family and friends.
RIP Mr. V
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Peggy J Eamer posted a condolence
Thursday, April 29, 2021
I am so sorry for the loss of the this sweet man. James joined the Phoenix Community Band in 2019 for the Christmas concert. He was a joy to sit next to and play flute with. We had many laughs. Unfortunately it was very short, he will be missed.
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John Spradling posted a condolence
Thursday, April 29, 2021
I knew Jim since 1997, when I took part as a guest in the CNYAMT annual meeting and pot luck, held at First Unitarian Universalist on Waring Road. Jim prepared one of the nicest dishes on the entire spread! Thus began a long association in which, if we didn't serve in the same capacities at the same time, we would at least get together for breakfast sooner or later. Teaching music in Syracuse often involves finding as many ways as possible to "reinvent" yourself in the community, and Jim was a master at that, teaching OASIS classes on keyboards at Artist Pianos, starting a new teachers' organization, running a "sonatina" festival in CNYAMT, hosting the old Piano Guild events, and countless other ways as well. I thought I had caught up with you, Jim, just now moving my studio to Artist Pianos where you have been, but you left ahead of me! At least I was able to avail myself of your knowledge on how to properly pronounce the name of the composer Ludwig Schytte! However, no man knows when his day comes. Rest in peace, James Lee!
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Marlene Mercurio posted a condolence
Thursday, April 29, 2021
To all who knew and loved James,
My deepest sympathy to Jim's family and all the colleagues of CNYAMT music teacher's who worked with him so closely. His cheerful demeanor, and creativity was infectious and certainly it was evident that his students loved him. He gave so much to the organizations he belonged to, his colleagues and mostly his students. Rest In Peace old friend.
Marlene Mercurio,
New Smyrna Beach, FL
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Barry Glickstein posted a condolence
Thursday, April 29, 2021
What a loss! Jim was an amazing person, piano teacher and friend. He will be dearly missed.
Barry Glickstein
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Deb Guarneiri posted a condolence
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Jim was a very special colleague, teacher and friend to everyone. His rapport with children always made them feel special. His friendship and his caring nature always lifted other teachers up and encouraged them. He will be missed by all of us. My prayers for all of his friends and family to remember his special spirit and goodness and smile when thinking of all the good memories.
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Katherine Knoff uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
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Jim’s amazing spirit has moved on but he has left so much good on this earth. His teaching, friendship, love for his family, and endless pursuit of the beauty in music has elevated all of us. I feel very blessed to have known him. Kathy Knoff
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The family of James L. Vatter uploaded a photo
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
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