Local musician Pat Tiernan died a year ago this week on July 24. Faces tumble through my thoughts in an avalanche of memories as I sort through the images of people I encountered at the funeral services of my former student last July. So many young people searching for some spiritual morphine to deal with the death of a close friend; a friend who died much too young at 29, and at a time when the pieces of his life's puzzle were finding their way to their proper place.
Pat grew up in Rensselaer County, graduated from Columbia High School, and played his guitar with skill and passion throughout the Capital Region. At the time of his death, he was finalizing plans for his future in music, including a move to Nashville: so close the dream, only to be left unfulfilled at death's door.
The first anniversary of his death will again bring together friends and family. Small groups will assemble to remember Pat, larger gatherings, such as the scholarship fundraiser planned for Aug. 17 at Smokin' Joe's in East Greenbush, will be planned.
I may have been Pat's teacher, but he also taught me. And his music lives on. In his death, Pat left behind his voice, the sounds of his guitar and his songs. He left behind his heart, his passion, his soul. His gift is alive and present on discs of his own music, on the Internet, and on "Run," Molly Durnin's exquisite CD on which Pat played guitar.
In his old hit "American Pie," Don McLean sang of "the day the music died." As the anniversary of Pat's death approaches, that line no longer resonates for me. Music never dies. I will be listening to Pat's songs and resurrecting an image of my friend, my former student, playing his guitar and singing at a gig where I am in the audience. Death may limit life, but the musical memories Pat left for us will play on forever.
Gregg Weinlein is a retired English teacher from East Greenbush. greggw97@aol.com.