Jon Gailmor — a 1966 Staples High graduate, one of the most legendary of all the school’s musical talents, and an official Vermont “state treasure” — died peacefully last night, at his son’s New Orleans home. He was diagnosed with leukemia 18 months ago.
Jon’s family sang and played music at his bedside — including the playful, upbeat “Gonna Die With a Smile If It Kills Me,” which Jon wrote 50 years ago.
Jon Gailmor
At Staples Jon sang in Orphenians, directed by George Weigle. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Jon and fellow Orphenian Rob Carlson formed a folk duo.
Their debut album — “Peaceable Kingdom” — remains a timeless classic for all who heard it.
But Polydor Records did not market it — or them — well. Disillusioned, the singers went their separate ways.
Jon spent time in Europe. In 1977 he moved to Vermont, and became an icon there for nearly 50 years. He was a concert performer, singer-songwriter, musical album creator, kids’ radio show host, and songwriting workshop leader for children and adults.
Jon Gailmor (left) accompanies a group of Vermont schoolchildren. His workshops taught them how to write songs — and perform them.
He recorded 6 albums, won numerous awards, was named a “state treasure” by the governor, and was Vermont’s representative to perform during the 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Jon received the Mayor’s Peace Prize in Burlington, and a Silver Citation from the Vermont Arts Council. In 1996 he carried the Olympic Torch through Brattleboro, on its way to Atlanta.
Jon was also a longtime moderator of the annual meeting in his town of Elmore. When the AP explored the role of town meetings in polarized times, they focused on Elmore — and Jon. Click here to read that story.
Jon Gailmor, at the Elmore Town Hall. (Photo courtesy of AP/David Goldman)
His ties to his adopted state were strong. He expressed his deep love for Vermont in his song “Long Ago Lady.”
Jon and Rob played together again 15 years ago, at the Staples Class of ’66 reunion. For all who were there, it was a magical moment.
Jon Gailmor (left) and Rob Carlson in 2018, at the Weston Grange. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Jon performed several times this past decade in Westport, most recently to a sold-out “First Folk Sunday” crowd at the Boathouse restaurant.
Last year, after Jon moved to New Orleans — where his son Aaron lives — for leukemia treatment, he continued giving back.
He wrote a song celebrating the staff at Ochsner Medical Center. The marketing department used it as the centerpiece of their “Heroes Work Here” campaign.
A celebration of Jon’s life will be held this spring, in his beloved Vermont.
My heart is broken for my Staples ‘66 classmate. He was indeed a treasure and leaving a lasting legacy.
The world has lost a soulful voice and spirit. Godspeed dear friend and may you rest in peace. Steve Emmett
Smile on Jon, your gifts are in the hearts of many. I will always treasure the memories of singing with you at Staples and in Vermont.
Some of us from the class of ‘66 are working on our 60th reunion in 2026. I was so sad to read this news, as I was looking forward to our three guys, the Orpenians, getting together playing and singing. It won’t be the same without Jon. I have photos of our 1996, 30th reunion. Rob Carlson, Jon Gailmore, me, Lillian Ferdinand and Steve Emmett.
Jon felt like a brother to me. A singing brother. When we were in the same production … especially H.M.S. Pinafore we were singing soul mates. His voice was truly one of a kind … as was he. Blessings and love, good buddy and most special friend.
Jeremy Jones
Jon came to my UVM dorm, Patterson Hall, during a snowstorm in 1985 for a gig. During one of his breaks we talked for a bit and realized that we were both from Westport. He was so friendly and talented. I asked him if he knew any songs by the Who – he immediately played a long set from Tommy.
Jeffrey Veatch, President of The Justin Veatch Fund.
Jon and I crossed paths several times in Vermont schools in my roles as parent and principal. His residencies were always educational and joyful for kids and adults. The last time we connected like that was many years ago at Underhill Central School where he invited me and my guitar to join him for the culminating concert assembly. I still have several CDs and my children now in their 40s can still sing along. A blessing to know him; a sadness to lose him.
I really am kind of speechless. I met Jon when he was an artist in residence at the then Lawerence Barnes School when I was teaching there. I had seen him perform at Hunt’s before then, but hadn’t actually met him. Since then we, along with my wife Barbara, became friends. He performed at the wedding celebration of my daughter and son in law’s marriage. We saw him close First Night at Flynn many times. His warmth, humor, intellect and deep feelings of caring for people, including the many kids that he taught, was always present. They were also present in his music: I’m thinking of songs like Daddy Was a Radical and Ma that reflect all of these qualities of Jon. I loved Jon and will miss him deeply. The world has lost a voice that has left a big hole.
His music reached many hearts for sure! I worked at Victoria’s Restaurant in Randolph where Jon played every Saturday nights. His girlfriend ( and later his wife), Cathy was always with him at Victoria’s. Then in college at UVM Jon frequently played at Hunts Venue downtown. He did artist in residencies for elementary schools. I always hoped Long Ago Lady would be a Vermont State song. RIP Jon. What a loss for Vermont.
So sad to lose this amazing person! He did a gig at my daughter’s preschool and was amazing. So totally invested in his audience and the joy of giving music, regardless of the age of the group! He absolutely glowed…and kept alive folk tunes of yore for all.
one of the truly ”good guys”–was a regular performer when i owned the Back home Cafe in rutland in the late ’70,s—true gentleman .guitar playing story teller. deepest condolences to his family .Johnny Petrone
I knew Jon’s music through my friend, Horace Williams. When a staple for kids’ audiences and adults alike. You can see what his mind is like just by looking at his face, as the first photo in this obit portrays. Jon, your spirit is here and the beauty and honesty that you felt, expressed, and shared will live on and on. The next time I see Horace, there will be some Gailmor songs wafting from the parlor. In loving spirit,
Bill Lauf Jr
Warren, CT
He was a wonderful human who made the world a better place! A talented soul who embraced life and made us all better.
I’m flabbergasted. Jon was such a gift to everyone who met him. I couldn’t help but smile every time I saw him. The world is a little less bright without him.
It’s a fact that Jon could write a song about any topic, with any group of any size or age. The Fall he visited our 4/5 classroom at Barnes, we were in the middle of studying Lake Champlain in general, lampreys in particular. We learned about lampreys from a guy who brought half a dozen swimming around in the bottom of his bucket. You could see their suction cup mouths and imagine how they would latch onto our precious fish and ravage them. Who knows how Brandi got her finger in the bucket, but when she pulled it out, her finger was bleeding. Needless to say, our class had it in for lampreys so when Jon joined us a few weeks later to write a song of their choice, a lamprey song was the clear favorite. Jon elicited emotions, descriptions, had a look at Brandi’s finger and composed one of the class’s greatest songs with a robust chorus, “DIE SUCKERS!” Thank you, Jon, for sharing your gifts with young students. Watching you work the group was to witness greatness, kindness, and pure joy; a special human being who of course, found his way to Vermont. With Love, Jane Miller, Barnes School, Burlington
I had the honor and good fortune to know Jon for many years in Vermont. It was always such a pleasure to be around him, his personality and his music.
I helped share that magic by writing reviews of his albums in Sing Out and The Burlington Free Press. And he agreed to be the subject of this article for the University of Pennsylvania alumni magazine. https://thepenngazette.com/odes-to-perpetual-childishness/
Jon was a total class act in every way. I am very, very sad to hear he is gone.