CLEVELAND, July 26 (UPI) -- Famed former Cleveland Orchestra oboist John Mack has died in Cleveland at 78 from complications related to his brain cancer treatment.
Mack, who was long thought of in the musical world as the premier oboist of his time, died Sunday after collapsing while golfing with friends, The New York Times reported.
After he left the Cleveland Orchestra in 2001, Mack embraced his spoken mantra of "Teaching is close to a sacred duty," and began teaching his musical gift to fellow woodwind enthusiasts.
"There is a student of John Mack in virtually every orchestra in this country," said David Zauder, a friend of the famed musician.
Mack taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Julliard School and the John Mack Oboe Camp, which was founded in North Carolina in 1976 by one of his former students.
Mack is survived by his wife Anne; his three children, David, John Richard, and Cecile; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
