Musician Noel Sayre, native of Huntington, dies at 37

HUNTINGTON -- Noel Sayre was the kind of person who never said anything bad about anyone, and who was never spoken ill of either. Those who knew him say the 37-year-old who died this week leaves behind a lot of friends.

Sayre died at Southern Ohio Medical Center Thursday, more than a day after he nearly drowned at a pool in Wheelersburg, Ohio.

Sayre is loved by many, both for his friendship and his talent as a violinist. The Huntington native performed in Columbus bands The Black Swans and Pretty Mighty Mighty. He also performed with the Huntington Symphony, Portsmouth Symphony, and the string quartet at First Presbyterian Church in Huntington.

"He's going to be missed by a whole lot of folks and he had a lot of good friends," said Dale Capehart, music director at First Presbyterian Church.

Capehart previously directed Noel's mother in the church choir for years and watched Noel grow up.

"It's a really sad thing for all of us," he said. "Noel, he was just a wonderful young man. He really was. He would do anything that you needed for him to do."

Deb Stivers-Dzierzak of Barboursville knew Noel through her own son, a cellist. She said Noel is one of few people that no one could say a negative word about. She said he overcame adversity, having lost both of his parents, and succeeded with his musical gift.

The Black Swans' MySpace page was already filling with condolences Friday.

"Everyone who knew Noel was touched by him," Stivers-Dzierzak said.

Beard Mortuary of Huntington is in charge of arrangements.