ATHOL — The community came together recently at Starrett Memorial United Methodist Church to celebrate the life and musical career of Donald “Spin” Ainsworth.
The afternoon was filled with entertainment coordinated by the church’s new Music Director Rene’ Lake-Gagliardi. The choir, featuring more than 30 voices, performed a selection of Spin’s favorite songs. A reception followed, and guests were treated to a lunch buffet and the upbeat sounds of music by the band Legacy. Rev. Mary Owen extended her gratitude and thanks to the many people who worked tirelessly to make the event a success.
Ainsworth spent more than 30 years as the organist and choir director at the church in Athol.
“He loved music, he loved seeing people enjoy music,” Owen said. “He loved to put on big concerts, not just for him to play the organ, but he loved to have the voices singing. He could really make that organ rock and roll, and when he played, things could really reverberate.”
Ainsworth died on June 5. He spent his life dedicated to his passion — music. He learned to play the piano in eighth grade, and he played throughout his life, tuning pianos for members of the community.
“When I say the community, I don’t just mean (just) Athol, his reach goes a long way,” said Owen.
Jean Partridge, local musician and vocalist, met Ainsworth when she first arrived in Athol at the age of 9, while taking trumpet lessons in an old warehouse. She said at the time, he was teaching music to children. Partridge said Ainsworth was a unique musician.
“Once in awhile, even at church, he’d get carried away with something and jazz it up a little bit,” she said. “He was just a fine musician. Even later in life, when he was in his 90s, he could play just as well.”
“He lived his music to the very end — he was making music and making people enjoy music to the very end,” Owen said. “What more can you ask?”
The performers at the celebration were:
Sopranos: Donna Poor, Diane Gray, Monica Witty, Kathy Bryce, Carol Stockwell, Judi Miller, Charon Maier, Allison Pollitt, Candi Fetzer, Jean Partridge
Altos: Marcia Legassey, Judy Lovell, Sandi Bachelder, Shirley Varnum, Diane Newton, Del Smith, Janet Haley, Maureen Gamache, Carol Ouellette
Tenors: Paul Maier Jr., Wayne Frost, Dana Erickson, Fran Pepperdine, Ray Savage, Al Benjamin, Dick Coburn, Jack Arnot
Bass: Paul Maier Sr., Chip Bachelder, Pat Prusik, Chuck Berube
Instrumentals: Tom Moyles on bass guitar, Sue Dunbar on flute, Ted Cushing on piano and organ, Steve Babineau on trumpet
Members of Legacy are Marc Erwin, Tom Dean, Linda Piragas, Marty Picard and Al Benjamin.