Obit: John Gorozdos(ShipsCompanyChanteymen)-2004

Subject: Obit: John Gorozdos
From: GUEST,Wotcha
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 03:05 PM

I have modified the first news heard about the loss of John Gorozdos who was a long time member of The Ships Company Chanteymen, the musical arm of the DC-area nautical reenactment unit.

Rest in peace Matey:

Brian



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I was just informed by a member of Ship's Company that John Gorozdos passed away within the last 48 hours or so (I wrote this on Wednesday evening, 8 September.) He was found at his home in Phoenix Maryland (a mile north of the Loch Raven reservoir), in his hot tub. I have no further details about the cause of death, a service or anything yet. But, I will keep you informed or you tell me if/when you know of anything more.


I know John best from the Ship's Company chantymen (SCc) with whom he had been a member since 1996. He was a helluva banjo player, great singer especially for ad-lib harmony (sometimes referred to as "pile-on" harmony ...), and one of the top 5 easiest going people I know of. Creative, gentle, highly intelligent, slow to judge, patient beyond comprehension and a perfect balance between being unassuming but able to "step up to the plate" with a right good will. He did Renaissance ornamentation to traditional Irish music on a recorder or whistle and made it sound good. At least in my opinion. And, with his knowledge of sea-songs and wild ability to do an arrangement on the bounce, he, Lea and I could con our way onto most any non-governmental tall ship we came in contact with.


His voice and instrumentation can be heard on Lea Coryell's "Cornbread and Rum," and the SCc's "Donkey Riding." He used to play with Cornucopia, but others will know if there's a recording extant.


I could go on but, so can others. I'll save it for the service (wake?). For me, there will be a John Gorozdos size hole in Nelson's Memory.


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Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos
From: jeffp
Date: 09 Sep 04 - 04:26 PM

One of the Cornucopia tapes has been converted to CD. They are being sold by Peter Benson.

I'm so saddened to hear of John's death. He was a great musician and a wonderful person to spend time with. I played with him a few times and socialized with him a few more. He will be greatly missed.

Jeff Porterfield

Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos
From: GUEST,Wotcha
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 01:37 AM

Details on the memorial service and wake from another post:




It is with great sadness I report to you the death of our shipmate
John Gorozdos on Tuesday 7 Sept. John was a charter member of the
Ship's Company Chanteymen and a superb musician. His death was
sudden and unexpected.

John sang the lead on "Heave Away Me Johnnies" on our album Donkey
Riding and played banjo and pennywhistle on many of the other cuts.

A memorial service for John Gorozdos will be held at Fleck Funeral
Home in Laurel, MD this Saturday Sept 11 5-7pm.

There will be a large "musical" wake held at Savage Mill on Sept. 26
3-7 pm at Savage Mill in MD.

John's remains are being cremated.

Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos
From: Wincing Devil
Date: 10 Sep 04 - 09:02 PM

Sad news indeed, Brian. I haven't been to the Chantey Sing at the Wharf Rat much lately, but John was there last December.
I've put together a memorial gallery at:

http://www.WincingDevil.com/JG/

Subject: Amaranthine Dream
From: GUEST,from the one who will always love you
Date: 11 Dec 05 - 01:11 AM

A violet afternoon
we were watching the rain come down
Each drop we heard dancing
on the roof and all around
from a little cottage vacant
in the forest green we found

A summer festival day
sharing hours oh so sweet
We danced on through night's quiet magic
time kept a steady beat
We were dressed so fine,
but the clocks began to unwind
Amaranthine Dream complete

Then you said goodbye
and silence seems so long
mountain glass on blades of grass
my tears to you for a song

We reach out in dreams
Amarynthine it seems
but every one dies like a child

Subject: Johnnie
From: GUEST,the one who will always love you
Date: 11 Dec 05 - 01:48 AM

The violets were scenting the woods, Johnnie
Displaying their charm to the bee
When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie
And you said you loved only me

The chestnut blooms gleamed through the glade, Johnnie
A robin sang loud from a tree
When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie
And you said you loved only me

The golden-robed daffodils shone, Johnnie
And danced in the breeze on the lea
When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie
And you said you loved only me

The trees, birds, and bees sang a song, Johnnie
Of happier transports to be
When I first said I loved only you, Johnnie
And you said you loved only me

Our dreams they will never come true, Johnnie
Our hopes, they never will to be
Since I first said I loved only you, Johnnie
and you said you loved only me

Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos
From: GUEST,lynda
Date: 04 Feb 12 - 03:19 AM

I have not forgotten you, my love. Sometimes its very hard not to cry. I miss your friendship, your smile, music genius and zany antics so much. And now, who can I share the memories with? I think you must be the lucky one. But then, reading all the lovely laments of your death by so many friends, in truth it is I who am the lucky one, for you made my world much much bigger...I love you still Johnnie. L

Subject: RE: Obit: John Gorozdos(ShipsCompanyChanteymen)-2004
From: GUEST,lynda
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 10:26 AM

When autumn comes
and leaves become tinder
grey clouds arrest the sun of her vanity,
and I think on you.

I hear your songs, sweet Johnnie
among the sentry of silent, naked trees,
over the din of dogs barking
children laughing, breezes rustling,
church bells ringing, buses groaning
oblivious to your symphony

Only the birds and I are here.
We're still here, sweet Johnnie
forever captive
and in love with you.