Peter Anthony Morin

Peter Anthony Morin, born October 9, 1978 in Ware, Mass. passed away July 8, 2022 in St. Augustine, FL. He is survived by his wife, Helen Katalin Morin, daughter Luciana Katalin Morin, 14, and son Emanuel Thomas Morin, 9, of St. Augustine, parents Dolores Ann and Paul Louis Morin, sister Angela (Carlos) Gomes, brother Paul Morin (Lindsey), and brother Marc Morin (Jenna), all of Massachusetts., surrogate mom Maida Boudreau and spouse George Michael Opalenik, and predeceased by Marcel Boudreau, who was very important to Peter growing up. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Peter was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church, where he served as Director of Music and Liturgy since 2010. He previously was Director of Music at St. Anne/St. Patrick Church and Shrine in Fiskdale, Massachusetts. At St. Anastasia he directed several choirs which included adults and children. Peter was a 4th Degree Knight of The Knights of Columbus. He was also a weekly volunteer at R.B. Hunt Elementary School where he received the Volunteer of the Year award. He ran several half marathons, including one in Ireland. Peter’s early education was in Warren, Mass. where he graduated from Quaboag Regional High School. He then earned a Bachelor of Music, Pipe Organ Performance from Syracuse University. He went on to graduate with a Master of Sacred Music from Emory University. His principal organ teachers included Timothy Albrecht, Peter Wright, Katharine Pardee and Barclay Wood. His primary conducting studies were with Adrian Lucas. Peter was awarded the Arthur Poister Prize, Emory University Research Grant, and a Mark and Pearle Clements Internship Award allowing his first four-month summer of observation and performance based at Worcester Cathedral in England. While in England he assisted in BBC recordings, performed within the Three Choirs Festival and participated in a choir tour of Ireland and many other recitals at cathedrals and festivals. Peter has performed with the Jacksonville Symphony, EMMA Concert Series, Memorial Presbyterian Organ Series, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine, Saint Anastasia Catholic Church, Emory University and led an EMMA concert-lecture with his wife Helen. During the Covid lockdown, Peter and Helen streamed weekly concerts for the community, with repertoire ranging from Bach to the Beatles, featuring their talents along with guest artists. “Let There Be Music” was his mantra. This encompassed his work at St. Anastasia developing a first-class music program and his creation of a very successful concert series which brought world class musicians from afar to share their talents. He accomplished a major goal this past December and January by presenting The Twelve Days of Christmas, celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with daily concerts and liturgical services. His lifelong dream was fulfilled in June, to take the choir on a pilgrimage choir concert tour, which included singing Mass and presenting concerts in some of the finest Cathedrals and Basilicas of France including the Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, St. Peter’s Church at Mont-Saint-Michel, Church of La Madeleine and Chartres Cathedral in Paris. The trip culminated in a memorable visit to Lourdes with Mass at the Grotto. Peter was appointed to the Diocese of St. Augustine Liturgy Commission in 2014 and was Music Director of the Eucharistic Congress Mass in 2016. He was an active member of the American Guild of Organists, Royal School of Church Musicians and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Peter loved the St. Anastasia community. He aimed for every parish family to be involved in music-making, allowing the participatory energy to be the catalyst in following God’s call in our lives and in our worship together. He loved spending time at the ocean, composing, dancing with Helen, and taking his children to the beach. A public viewing and wake service will be held from 5 to 8 pm Thursday, July 14 at St. Anastasia Catholic Church (5205 A1A South St Augustine Florida) with a prayer service at 6pm. The funeral Mass will be at 11 am Friday, July 15th at the church with burial following at San Lorenzo Cemetery. Donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the St. Anastasia Music Ministry or Home Again St. Johns Inc, 285 S Holmes Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32084. For those unable to attend, you may watch a live stream at https://saccfl.org/about/im-new/mass-schedule/ or https://www.facebook.com/stanastasiacc/

Peter Anthony Morin

October 9, 1978 - July 8, 2022