School raises funds for new saxophone in memory of Jared Gorman

December 24, 2011

Todd Keating, the seventh and eighth grade band director, Zachary Staten, a sixth grade baritone saxophone player, Bridget Guerriero, the sixth and seventh grade band teacher, stand with the new saxophone for the school. Lauren Knight. Kent County Daily Times.

WEST WARWICK – At John F. Deering Middle School, friends and family will be reminded of the late Jared Gorman every time the acoustics of the new baritone saxophone fill the auditorium.

An avid baritone saxophone player, Jared shared the one instrument owned by the school with three other students. They alternated practice times and coordinated who could borrow it and when.

“In sixth grade, he used to always tell me, ‘We have to get a new instrument, Mr. Keating.’ I’d say, ‘I’m going to get you one, Jared,’” remembered seventh and eighth grade Band Director, Todd Keating.

Joann Gorman, Jared’s mother, explained that he had played the alto saxophone in the fifth grade but was introduced to the baritone in the sixth and “fell in love with it.”

“He said it used to make him shake when he played it because it was so deep,” she remembered.

For the next two years, the baritone saxophone was the only instrument he played.

“I don’t know if it was because he said it was so deep but he just loved it,” said his mother.

Jared was born on July 23, 1998. He grew up in West Warwick and attended Wakefield Hills Elementary School and then John F. Deering Middle School.

He was known as the kid who “always did the right thing,” said Middle School Principal Brian Dillon.

“He was just a happy, loving friend to everyone,” added his mother.

“He would speak to anyone – say hi if you’re having a bad day. It didn’t matter if it was a young kid, adult or someone he’s never met. He’d talk to everyone.”

And according to the Keating, “he was my best music student.”

For the full story, pick up a copy of Monday's edition of The Times.