Dr. John Worsley, of Lincoln, RI, passed away on Sunday, August 4 th , at Landmark&Medical Center in Woonsocket, RI, after a long illness. Dr. Worsley was born in Providence, the son of the late William and Ethel (Ashton) Worsley. He is survived by his loving wifeRhoda (Mullen) Tallo and loving cousin Jean (Ashton) Horton of Saco, Maine.

He was a native of Pawtucket, RI. In his youth he was an outstanding athlete, and byhigh school he had become a championship soccer player. He earned his bachelor's and master'sdegrees from Brown University, and his PhD from Clark University in Worcester.

John served on the Executive Board of The Providence Federation of Musicians (Local198-457) from 1998 until his death, a tenure of almost twenty-two years. He was a Life Memberof the Musicians' Union.

In addition to being a strong advocate for unions, especially the musicians' union, Johnwas an educator, a newspaper reporter, a grant writer, a music impresario, and an accomplishedpianist. He taught at the Community College of Rhode Island for forty-nine years and had alsotaught at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Early in his career he worked as a reporter for thePawtucket Times. Over the last twenty years he wrote a column about jazz and jazz musicians forthe Times. Concurrently, he served as the primary grant proposal writer for the City of CentralFalls school department.

Many music fans recall the wonderful Sunday afternoon jazz series, which John producedthroughout the 1970's and 1980's at the Providence Marriott hotel. John paired celebrity jazzartists from New York and Boston with local musicians in a format that always attracted largeand enthusiastic audiences.

He also produced a series of jazz concerts at the University Club, where he was amember for many years. He was a strong supporter of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra,whose concerts he attended regularly. He served on the Board of Directors of the Rhode IslandHeritage Hall of Fame.

Throughout his life John played piano with many local musicians, frequently leading hisown bands. In his later years, he fronted a revived version of the well-known Dixieland band,The Jewels of Dixie, aptly renamed John Worsley's SwingTime.

During his long career John touched the lives of many people in all walks of life –musicians, music lovers, students, educators, artists, politicians, and labor leaders. He will beremembered for his vitality, his drive, his warm cheer, and his passion for music.

Although John's arrangements will be private, he would be thankful for donations madein his memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Rhode Island Chapter, PO Box41659, Providence, RI 02940 or the American Lung Association in Rhode Island, 260 WestExchange Street, Suite 102B, Providence, RI 02903.