“Music is the universal language of mankind”
John Boyle Pierpont, 84, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2017 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s. Jack led a full life as a father, husband, teacher and musician, enriching the lives of others with his great sense of humor, kind heart, strong moral compass and passion for Music.
He is survived by his wife, Anne of Pennington NJ, daughter Sarah Anne of Beacon New York, and three sons, John B Pierpont Jr of Port Chester , New York, David Pierpont of Westport Connecticut and Matthew Pierpont of Yonkers, New York. He is also survived by his sisters, Eleanor Suydam of New Canaan, Connecticut and Joan Carosielli of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, nieces Sharon Rife of Sewell , NJ, Jo-Ann Pierpont of Connecticut, nephews Richard Carosielli, of Palm City Florida and Richard Pierpont of, Raymond, Maine.
A graduate of the Taft School in Connecticut, Hofstra University and New England Conservatory of Music where he received a Masters in Music with a specialty in conducting. He worked with the Boston Symphony Chorus and at the Tanglewood Music Festival in Massachusetts. Jack’s teaching career began in 1963 at the Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY. where he was inducted into the Cum Laude Society, a tribute to his professionalism and academic record. In 2007, the Masters School Alumnae Association honored him with the Anna Howe Teaching Award for the outstanding difference that he made in the lives of his students. He also taught at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, NJ. and was Music Minister at the St. James Church in Pennington, NJ. a position he held from 1996 until he retired in 2011. Jack followed the tradition of his father and brothers and served his country in the Air Force from 1953 to 1957. He was honorably discharged with the National Defense Service Medal.
Those who knew him would likely not be aware that he was honored in so many ways during his lifetime. He was modest about his own accomplishments but held steadfast to his standard of preparing Music at the highest level. Anyone who saw him conduct knew that he always took a backseat to his Chorus and the Music knowing that ‘he who sings, prays twice.’
Mass of Christian Burial was held in St. James Church, Pennington on Monday, Interment was in the Washington Crossing National Cemetery on Tuesday under direction of Blackwell Memorial Home, Pennington. For condolences visit website at blackwellmh.com ”
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Stuart Country Day School, 1200 Stuart Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Gifts will be used to help students discover their passion, and to enhance their experiences, in the performing arts.
