Few things brighten a walk on Main Street as much as seeing Roy Eaton, 91, then chatting in the warmth of his smile. Roy is back, the pandemic fading, and so is his music.
By David Stone
Roy was excited. He had news.
He’d just attended, he said, his 75th high school reunion. “On Zoom,” he added with a laugh about an event that brought the alumni of the school of Music and Art, now LaGuardia High School..
How many other 91 year olds do Zoom socially? I wondered.
Considering his barrier smashing careers in advertising and music made this less of a surprise than it might’ve been.
Roy Eaton, 91, on the flip side of the pandemic
Although we were in touch a couple times, by email, over the last year, and I knew he’d been well, it was refreshing, seeing him out on the street. The coronavirus kept so many his age indoors for so long.
But seeing his sunny personality unchanged, his optimism bright, was the strongest signal that we — New York City, Roosevelt Island — were back.
Last time, I talked with Roy was when I recorded a video of him playing a Bach Prelude in Bryant Park. 89 then, he resumed his annual gig there in the lunchtime piano series, two years after a stroke threatened to end his time at the keys.
Before he let me go, yesterday, he had another surprise for me.
“Save the date,” he said. “September 13th.”
That’s right. Although restrictions have kept Bryant Park from posting the schedule, this remarkable man, Roy Eaton, 91, will take his place in the rotation, again, bringing is gift of music to Midtown Manhattan.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily
- Five-Alarm Flushing House Fire Leaves Elderly Woman Dead and 19 Responders InjuredA five-alarm Flushing house fire left one elderly woman dead and injured 19 responders. Details on casualties, response efforts, and local impact.
- Far Rockaway House Fire and Shooting Leaves Two DeadA Far Rockaway house fire and shooting left two dead and shocked the community as police and firefighters responded to the tragic scene. Read how the events unfolded and what comes next.
- Chain-Snatching Spree in Queens Prompts Precinct Coordination and Simple Safety StepsA chain-snatching spree in Queens has sparked coordinated police action and renewed conversations about neighborhood safety. Learn what steps you can take.
- 140 Rentals Proposed for Mixed-Use Building at 50-01 Queens BoulevardA 13-story mixed-use development is planned for 50-01 Queens Boulevard in Woodside, featuring ground-floor retail and 140 rental units, with a portion reserved as affordable housing. Learn about the proposal, affordable housing details, and the next steps for this evolving Queens neighborhood.
- Sgt. Angel Rampersad’s legacy and Ozone Park’s vigilSgt. Angel Rampersad’s legacy touches Ozone Park, Queens, and Roosevelt Island as neighbors reflect after the Ozone Park vigil. Community honors and conversations continue amid grief.
The Well-Funded Vision and the Silent Landlord
RIOC’s Real Estate Development Advisory Committee met last night. The Renwick Ruin was not on the agenda. A nonprofit that has spent eight years developing detailed plans for the site, raised more than a million dollars, and assembled a board with serious finance and legal credentials continues its work.
6 COMMENTS
Leave a Reply
Mr. Roy Eaton is a Roosevelt Island treasure. Maybe a slightly slower gait, but he can still “strut” and moreso, also put out that good music. Bryant Park is a special spot for him but I would suspect and want to believe that Roosevelt Island is his real paradise. The entire Island should really appreciate him, I certainly do!
With you on all that, Dave.
Thanks for your beautiful article.The high school that I celebratedmy 75threnion on zoom Sunday was then called Music and Art and is now LaGuardia High School.I graduated in 1946!!
Thanks. I’ll correct that.