The Bath community is mourning the loss of music teacher Anthony Marro, pictured here at Morse High School graduation in 2014. He died Dec. 15. John Swinconeck / Times Record file photo

The Bath school community is mourning the loss of beloved and longtime music teacher Anthony Marro, who died Wednesday afternoon surrounded by family after battling a heart condition.

Marro, 44, taught at the high school for 20 years. He also taught at the Fisher Mitchell Elementary School and at Bath Middle School. Marro started the Advance Placement music theory class at Morse High School so students could choose to get early college credit.

“He was hired right out of the college to come to teach music at the high school in 2001,” said Morse High School Principal Eric Varney. “He is quite innovative in that he formed a rock ensemble at Morse. The students were not just involved in some symphonic band, but they are a rock band by all intents and purposes.”

Varney added that Marro’s death is a large loss to the school community.

“We have had students through the years who chose to move on and make music as a big part of their life, even their career,” added Varney. “That is the credit to Marro and what he has done with the students.”

Varney said Marro was a quiet leader and never wanted the spotlight.

“He was a capable musician,” Varney said. “Often, other music teachers would go to him if they had a question about a music piece. He was never a loud man and was kind, who students respected just because he respected them.”

In messages to students’ families, Fisher Mitchell Principal Ross Berkowitz described Marro as a “beloved music and band instructor” and “a talented musician, caring teacher, and kind person who loved exposing students to music.”

Marro’s cousin Patricia M. Jones said Marro underwent a heart bypass surgery a year and a half ago, but his health deteriorated after that. He was with his family at the time of his death.

Jones said Marro was one of the funniest and most talented people she knew.

“His heart was bigger than he was,” Jones said. “He was a fierce family man who adorned his kid. Last year, when his mother was hospitalized, he made sure he ran all the errands for her and took care of her every day.”

Anthony Marro’s cousin Patricia M. Jones described him as a talented musician who was also “a fierce family man.” Contributed photo via Patricia Jones

Born into a family of musicians, Marro was interested in music from a young age. He learned to play drums from his grandfather Mal Lary, a highly respected musician in Maine. He mastered a variety of instruments including saxophone, piano and clarinet.

“My father used to play at the Portlander years ago,” said Marro’s mother Cindy Marro. “He later …….

Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2021/12/16/bath-community-mourns-loss-of-music-teacher/