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18 Jan 10 - 01:28 PM (#2815047) Subject: Obit: John Seeger RIP (January 2010) From: Mary Katherine From Jim Capaldi: John Seeger, born February 16, 1914 for decades a Bridgewater resident, died January 10th in New Milford after a short illness. He was a popular teacher at the Dalton School in Manhattan in the 1950s and served as principal of the Fieldston Lower School in Riverdale, N.Y. from 1960 to 1976. He and his wife, Eleanor purchased Camp Killooleet, a residential summer camp in Hancock, Vt., and ran it together for more than 50 years as a place where they could implement their philosophy of education and child development. He retired from teaching in 1976 and divided his time between Bridgewater and Hancock. He inherited the Bridgewater house, his father and aunt had lived in since 1959, and like them enjoyed walking the roads and pathways of town. His wife, Eleanor, who died in 2003, was a member and officer of the Garden Club. John was active gardening, running camp and organizing lunches of friends. John and Eleanor were members of the choir of the Bridgewater Congregational Church and singing was one of the great joys of his later life. For years his holiday cards were sketches of buildings in Bridgewater, including the store, the school, the library and both churches. He is survived by a brother, Pete Seeger; two half-sisters, Peggy and Barbara; a son, Anthony; a daughter, Katherine (current Director of Killooleet); and two granddaughters, Elizabeth and Hilïia. Celebrations of his life will be held at 2 on Sunday, February 14 at the Congregational Church in Bridgewater and Saturday, August 28 at Killooleet Camp. In lieu of flowers, donations for summer camp scholarships may be made to the Seeger Bartlett Foundation, P.O. Box 1, Hancock, VT 05748. |
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18 Jan 10 - 02:14 PM (#2815085) Subject: RE: Obit: John Seeger RIP (10 January 2010) From: WFDU - Ron Olesko So sorry to hear of his passing. He looked wonderful at Pete's birthday celebration at MSG last year. My condolences to the Seeger family. |
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18 Jan 10 - 07:16 PM (#2815382) Subject: RE: Obit: John Seeger RIP (10 January 2010) From: Bill Hahn//\\ I am guessing that he ran the camp as a successor to the Ethical Culture School Camp (ECSC) that ended in the 1970s---only guessing---since, having been at Fieldston, he would share the values that camp did. It became an inspiration and, perhaps, the most meaningful life experience to those who attended (myself included). Would love to know the answer---and, certainly, my condolences to the family. The special on Pete Seeger showed him and he looked quite hale. |
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18 Jan 10 - 08:31 PM (#2815440) Subject: RE: Obit: John Seeger RIP (10 January 2010) From: Desert Dancer Given that the Seegers acquired Camp Killooleet in 1948, I doubt it had any particular relationship with the ECSC, although given his work at Fieldston School, I agree that the philosophies of the two camps may have been comparable. My mother attended Camp Killooleet in the 1930s, before his time. Killooleet's registration was full when my mother inquired about sending my sister in 1964 or '65, and they recommended the Quaker-run Farm and Wilderness Camps as an alternative, and it was an important experience for my sister and later for me -- and critical in my folk musical development. I believe at least one of Pete's children went to Farm & Wilderness. John Seeger's daughter now runs Killooleet. The work with children by people like John Seeger has ripples through the world. ~ Becky in Tucson |
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19 Jan 10 - 06:48 AM (#2815709) Subject: RE: Obit: John Seeger RIP (10 January 2010) From: Ed Brown My condolences to the family, particularly to Kate Seeger, who not only carries on the traditions of Camp Killoleet, but also the larger Seeger family legacy of keeping folk music alive and well into the future. If anyone has not heard her performances as part of the Short Sisters (along with Kim Wallach and Fay Baird) check out their website http://ss.mapping.com/ |
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06 Dec 10 - 08:01 PM (#3047821) Subject: RE: Obit: John Seeger RIP (10 January 2010) From: Guy Wolff I just heard of John's passing today . He was a wonderful man and very funny . I played banjo for a concert at the Bridgwater Church some years back now and after playing with a fiddle player he turned to me as I sat down and said ."Cant you get those boys to smile a bit up there". The next thing he said was I have two brothers and they both play banjo .He was full of kindness and fun . |
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06 Dec 10 - 10:15 PM (#3047863) Subject: RE: Obit: John Seeger RIP (10 January 2010) From: EBarnacle Interesting, he lived around the block from me and I was not even aware of his presence. |
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07 Dec 10 - 06:56 AM (#3048009) Subject: RE: Obit: John Seeger RIP (10 January 2010) From: goatfell so sad another one gone |