Samuel P. Szor

Samuel Szor, 84, Toledos Mister Music, passed away on Friday, October 24, 2014 after a lengthy illness. An educator, conductor, and musical icon, Sams contributions to Toledos cultural heritage spanned 7 decades. Born in Toledos Birmingham neighborhood on May 22, 1930, Sam was a stand-out music student at Waite High School. With the encouragement of Waite Band director Cecile Vashaw, he enrolled at the University of Michigan where he was a member of the famed U of M band, serving as librarian for director Dr. William D. Revelli and earning two degrees there. It was at Woodward High School in 1953 where Sam began his teaching career. Known for his energy and creativity he inspired band students, school and community with innovative half-time shows, challenging concert programs, and ,of course, the spectacular Extravagana musicals. At about the same time, the outdoor summer concert series, Music Under the Stars, was undertaken by Sam at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater. These popular concerts were loved by thousands of concert-goers over the 60 years he was at the helm. Capturing the essence of what crowds wanted to hear, that genius in programming combined with the best elements of showmanship enabled Sam to thrill Toledoans with quality entertainment for all those 60 years! An accomplished instrumentalist, Sam played bassoon in the Toledo Symphony Orchestra for conductors Joseph Hawthorne and Serge Fournier. He himself led the TSO for almost 10 years in the Casual Concerts, programs of pops and light classics at the Stranahan Theater. He served as conductor of the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra for 20 years, the First Congregational Church motet choir for 37 years, and the Toledo Choral Society for 53 years presenting Handels Messiah every December in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle. In the 60s Sam taught music at the University of Toledo and finished his teaching at Waite High School in the 70s and 80s. With his charismatic presence and good humor Sam enjoyed wide popularity here in his beloved Toledo. He will be missed. Surviving are his wife, Judy; sons, Tom Szor and Terry Szor; daughters, Megan (Paul) Hickey and Martha (Georg) Kreutzer; grandchildren, Patrick, Emily, Caitlin, Kelsey and Madison Hickey, Lukas Kreutzer, Olivia and Francesca Szor; and sisters, Joyce and Joann. He was predeceased by sister Elizabeth Spottswood. Family and friends are invited to visit from 2-8 p.m. Monday in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.). Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Epworth United Methodist Church, 4855 W. Central Ave., Toledo. Interment will be private. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, the Toledo Symphony or the Toledo Choral Society.