Mr. Andrew Barany

I really admired my Dad. When the music program was undergoing cuts, he carefully devised a schedule that allowed him to serve every elementary school in Evanston District 65. I believe there were around 12 at the time. He set it up so he would visit both morning and afternoon kindergarteners in addition to first and second graders.

What is especially notable is that he did this without a car. Mr. Barany had a severe visual impairment from birth. He didn’t have nearly enough eyesight to drive. He wasn’t able to see well enough to visually recognize people. He learned to read braille music as a young person. To get to each of the schools, he walked and took the bus. For a short while, he rode his bicycle. Traveling was very hard on him especially in the winter but he did it! He loved sharing the joy of music with children!

When Mr. Barany went on semi retirement, he worked only in the fall and spring. When winter approached, he would tell the children he would return in the spring and they would sing the song: Ice Cream Man! “Ice cream man, do you know, I like chocolate ice cream cones...” ❤

My dad would be 96 today. He was very sentimental and treasured every birthday. He was fortunate to celebrate 81 birthdays. Shawn and I thought of him as we went out to dinner. We miss you, Dad. (I have a goal to scan and add more to this page)