In Memoriam
William H. Hearne

We were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of a friend and colleague on May 7. Bill Hearne, member of the Chorus of Mercury Opera Rochester and Treasurer of the Board of Directors, collapsed on the trail on Denali (Mount McKinley) in Alaska, and died, apparently of natural causes. Bill was an avid runner, hiker, and biker, and had been training for the climb and planning the adventure for over a year. He was in superb physical condition by anyone's standards, but he also knew that he was taking a risk to attempt such a challenging climb.

Bill was a great friend with a terrific sense of humor and incredible evenness of temperment. He loved performing, especially in costume and on stage, as well as being very physically active. In addition to his singing with the Mercury Opera Rochester Chorus, he also sang with the Choir at 3rd Presbyterian Church, and was a founder of Rochester Opera Factory and the Oven Door Runner's group which organizes long runs each weekend for the last 20 years. A Kodak retiree and professional Human Resources manager, Bill took up a 2nd career as a trainer and coach, and was employed by the Rochester YMCA at both the Pittsford and Downtown facilities.

The recent Mercury Opera Chorus performances on May 8 and 10, "You're Invited!", were dedicated to Bill's memory. He loved to party, so it seemed fitting that we perform party scenes in his honor, and as Bill would have wanted, we went out to drink together afterward and raised several glasses in his name.

He will be sorely missed.

Here is a link to his obituary in the Democrat and Chronicle.