Family Starts Foundation in Wake of Tragedy

John Williams was murdered five short months ago, but his family and friends got right to work to honor his name.

On his way to work when he was shot in his car in the early morning hours of Oct. 14, 2010, Williams, 39, according to Suffolk County Thomas Spota, was at the wrong end of a meant to draw another individual to Long Island.

His family is hoping to have his name go on in a positive manner with the creation of the John Williams Foundation, an organization based on the belief that every child should have the opportunity to learn the value of having music in their lives.

The foundation will donate instruments to Sachem schools for students who would like to participate in band and orchestra, but can’t afford rental fees.

Williams, a Sachem alum from the Class of 1989, played guitar.

Family and friends began drafting ideas for the foundation just two weeks after his death.

“We were planting the seed,” said Liz Durney, Williams’ girlfriend of nine months. “He connected with music and kids. The more people talked about it and jumped on board, it took a life of its own. I was very fortunate to have met him.”

The foundation has a handful of events scheduled for the coming months. From a benefit concert at Momo’s in Holbrook on June 11 and a "Battle of the Bands" at Sachem High School North on June 30 that grants winners free recording time at a nearby studio to the “” concert this weekend at Mulcahy’s in Centereach, there are plenty of chances to get involved and donate.

“One day a kid is going to be handed an instrument maybe because of John,” Durney said, “and that instrument will change his or her life and take them on a better path in life. Music can do amazing things, it has a healing power that we are all using right now and every child should be able to experience that.”

If you’d like to donate to the foundation, check out its website for information.