Remembering John Anthony

John was born an identical twin in Springfield, MA on September 17, 1942, the older of the two boys by five minutes. He was the son of John Keehlin Anthony, Jr. and Lucille Muse Anthony. The family was originally from Arkansas, but it was wartime and their father, who worked for the FBI, had been given an undercover assignment of guarding the Springfield Armory. Once the war was over, the family returned to Arkansas and John grew up in Fort Smith near the Oklahoma border. After graduating from Fort Smith High School in 1960, he attended the University of Arkansas, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1964 with majors in organ and French. After the University of Arkansas, he received a prestigious Woodrow Wilson Fellowship and pursued graduate studies at Yale University, subsequently earning a Ph.D. in Music History. While writing his dissertation on the organ music of the German composer Johann Christian Kittel, one of the last pupils of Johann Sebastian Bach, he taught briefly at Bates College in Lewiston, ME and at Wheaton College in Norton, MA.

In 1971, he came to Connecticut College in New London, CT, where he served as Professor of Music and College Organist for 53 years. Over the years, he taught courses in the entire western canon of music history, music theory, as well as organ and keyboard performance. He played the organ for weekly services in Harkness Chapel and was a regular accompanist for countless choral, faculty and student concerts and recitals. Every October, he famously entertained the College community performing a spooky Halloween night organ concert in costume. He also served in various administrative capacities, including chair of the music department, associate dean of the faculty, and was a fixture on numerous College committees. Additionally, he was faculty advisor to student groups such as the Co Co Beaux a cappella group and a member and past president of the Delta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Connecticut College. In 2021, John officially retired from Connecticut College as Professor Emeritus; however, he joyfully continued to work, teaching another three years on an adjunct basis, eventually finishing out the most recent academic year.

In addition to his faculty role at Connecticut College, John served as Organist and Choirmaster at St. John's Episcopal Church in Niantic, CT for over 40 years until his recent health challenges. His decades at the church were filled with joy and dedication as he worked with scores of choir members, priests, and deacons, all the while sharing his gift of music and receiving in turn respect and gratitude from the many members of the parish. His position as organist for both the church and the College meant that he played for untold numbers of weddings and funerals over the years, and his annual calendars were full of dates for both the joyful occasions as well as the solemn ones. He also regularly performed in recitals and concerts throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. On top of his many responsibilities as college professor and church organist, John supported and served as board member for many arts organizations in his community, among them the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, the Thames Valley Music School, and the Connecticut Early Music Society for which he was the current Board President. He was also a member of the Organ Historical Society, the College Music Society, and member and past dean of the New London County Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

John had an international perspective and enjoyed traveling the world and learning about other cultures just as much as he enjoyed teaching about western culture. One of the most fulfilling dimensions of John’s life began in the early 2000s when he volunteered to be the faculty mentor and Host Family for international students who came to Connecticut College from China and other Asian countries. From the minute they set foot on campus until their day of graduation, John was there for these students, and he did so much to help them and make them feel welcomed and supported while they lived so far away from home. The Chinese-Lunar New Year parties he hosted at his spacious house across the street from the College were legendary and showed just how generous, kind and caring a person John was. In his service to these students, John forged some of the most meaningful and rewarding friendships of his life, and he took great joy in keeping in touch with so many alums in his later years. He was proud to have played for several of their weddings and even traveled to China to visit them and their families, spending two sabbatical leaves in China and Hong Kong. To these alums, and to the many former music students he mentored and kept in touch with over the years, John was the revered and beloved professor who made a profound difference in people’s lives.

John had an infectious and jolly laugh that will be remembered by everyone who knew him. He loved a good party and being around people. He had a big heart and was always selflessly giving to others. He was a regular blood donor for the American Red Cross and a frequent volunteer at the New London Community Meal Center. He was the first to lend a helping hand when something was needed. Perhaps his favorite extracurricular activity in recent years was chauffeuring his local grandniece and nephews to and from school, music lessons, or sports practices, and he tried very hard not to miss any of their soccer or baseball games, concerts, or school programs. He also held an annual subscription at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and delighted in sharing the experience of taking in a world-class operatic performance, always with dinner at a chic restaurant beforehand and refreshments in the Belmont Room at intermission, with friends and relatives. John was a very special family member, not only to his immediate family, but also to far-flung cousins and other extended family members about whom he cared so deeply. He was blessed to have had so many cherished and dear friends who profoundly enriched his life. He was a Godparent to several of his closest friends' children and affectionately known as “Uncle Johnny” to an astounding number of people. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on with those who will never forget his generous and loving spirit.

He is survived by his twin brother James Muse Anthony of Baltimore, MD and his sister Susan Anthony Wilson and husband Warren of Lexington, MA. He was also the beloved uncle of Warren “Skip” Wilson and wife Candice of Quaker Hill, CT, Mark Keelin Wilson of Redondo Beach, CA, and David Anthony Wilson and wife Sachiko of Somerville, MA, and the great-uncle of Luke, Lydia, Levi, Lance, Davienne, Keelan, Ray, and Kaya Wilson, who gave him so much joy.

Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Connecticut College Music Department (270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320), St. John’s Episcopal Church (400 Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357), or to one of the many organizations he generously supported during his lifetime.