We are sad to announce the passing of Rene Prins of Oneonta, NY at the age 77.

Rene was preceded in death by the love of his life, Marilyn Roper in October 2020.

Rene is survived by his niece, Gretchen Prins, nephew, John Prins, III, great-nephew, Jorden Prins, all of Las Vegas, NV; cousin, Ronnie Geense of Breskens, Netherlands and second cousin, Jackie Causer of Naseby, England.  Rene is also survived by many great friends he has known from his life dedicated to music.

Rene has always been a charming, intelligent, enthusiastic, talented, and appreciative man, with a witty sense of humor. Rene was a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and received the "Member of the Year" award from the International Society of Business Leaders. Rene served as the principal oboist and English hornist for the Festival of Two Worlds, and principal oboist of the Albany Symphony Orchestra for 4 years prior to his move to Oneonta in 1974. He performed with many chamber music ensembles in upstate New York, as an oboist, English hornist, recorderist, clarinetist, and saxophonist.

His experience included a vanguard of musicians who formed the nucleus of the Catskill Conservatory -- at that time an educational-performance organization that the New York Times called 'a modern circuit-riding school of music.'  During his first year, Rene not only taught oboe lessons and theory classes for the Conservatory but also taught as an adjunct at SUNY-Oneonta, Binghamton and Cortland Colleges, and Hartwick College. He retired as a SUNY Music Professor after 39 years in 2014. Rene performed with distinction in the newly organized Catskill Symphony, Catskill Chamber Players, Catskill Woodwind Quintet, and the fledgling Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra; as well as the Catskill Community Band which he conducted for many years. Thus began a career that lasted until a few years ago, when his health began to decline.  An avid union member and advocate, he served during most of that time as President of Local 443, succeeding Chuck Schneider in that role.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Atonement Lutheran Church, 1 Center St. Oneonta, which will include a memorial for Marilyn Roper, as they have now been reunited.  A reception will follow in the church social hall.

Memorial gifts may be given to, Oneonta Community Concert Band, c/o JoDee Daum, 379 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY, or the Atonement Lutheran Church Organ Fund, 1 Center St., Oneonta, NY 13820, in memory of Rene and Marilyn.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com; the website of Oneonta's only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.