Saint Philip's Music Director
Paul E. Utgoff
March 19, 1951 - October 11, 2008
Paul came to St. Philip's church as Music Director in late
fall of 2005. Having such a gifted musician and organist at our small
parish we were thankful! Little did we know in those first days and
weeks, the extent of blessings we would each receive from Paul that would
impact our lives forever.
Paul is a true gift to his family and to his friends. His enthusiasm,
energy, dedication and love not only of his work but of his faith inspired in
each of us the will to be better stewards of our own work and faith. As
we witnessed Paul's increasing strength and courage during his battle with cancer,
we found courage in our own lives, and strength in ourselves we had not known.
Paul's journey with cancer began early 2006. On October 11, 2008 Paul died
at Wake Forest
University Baptist
Medical Center
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina due to complications from
surgery that he elected to undergo as part of his battle against metastatic
appendiceal cancer.
We will keep Paul in song always, in our hearts.
Biographical Information about Paul Utgoff:
Paul's undergraduate degree is in music,
with a major in pipe organ (Oberlin Conservatory, 1974). His teachers in
pipe organ have been John Woodworth, Garth Peacock, George Damp, Margaret
Irwin-Brandon, and Larry Schipull. Paul also studied harpsichord with
Fenner Douglas and Margaret Irwin-Brandon. Meg Irwin-Brandon had been
especially helpful in Paul's musical development in recent years. He was
a member of the American Guild of Organists.
St. Philip's is presently searching for an Organist and Music Director.
Last
Updated: July 17, 2009
128 Main Street (Rt 10), Easthampton, MA 01027
Tel: (413) 527-0862 Email: music@saintphilipseasthampton.org