Jonji Provenzano

From Baird Hersey

Loving Friends,
Jonji passed peacefully this morning around 5:00 am at his home. His wife Suzanne was with him.

Jonji was born on March 27th, 1944 in Norwalk, Connecticut to Ignatius and Roberta Provenzano. He moved to Woodstock in 1969, where he worked as a master carpenter and Yoga teacher.

Jonji influenced thousands of yoga practitioners with his grounded, intelligent approach to yoga and to living. In 1991 he opened the Yoga Studio, one of the Hudson Valley's first yoga schools. In 1999 he founded the River Cloud School of Yoga. His classes were known for their thought provoking, sometimes humorous, Dharma talks.  He was also an ordained minister.

Diagnosed with 4th stage stomach cancer in May of 2007, he chose to turn his dying process into a learning experience for his students and friends. He shared his experiences through classes, one on one sessions, and his journal on CarringBridge  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jonjiprovenzano

With courage, introspection and humor, he endured two courses of chemotherapy and one of radiation, all the while encouraging everyone to examine their own mortality. He put the medical staff at the hospital at ease with his playful smile and rollicking laugh.

In the 15 months since his diagnosis, Jonji recorded a CD of Tibetan Buddhist meditations, "Rest in Quiet Mind", and a video of instructions on opening a home Buddhist shrine. Both are available as free downloads on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/restinquietmind . He also finished writing a book on Yoga, Buddhism and Dying.

A musician most of his life, he learned to play guitar from his father. As a teenager, he formed "The Three Js". After moving to Woodstock he played with Mark Black and the St. Johns Parish Folk Group. From 2000 until 2005 he sang with Prana, a meditational music choir.

Jonji founded "Spoke Folks of  Woodstock", a pioneering bicycle club in the mid 70s, In the last several years he has been an avid model railroad enthusiast and an active member of the "West Shore Model Railroad Club".

A loving husband, father, and brother, family was always of greatest importance to him. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, sister Lynda Anderson of Marietta Ohio, and his children Blanche Provenzano of West Hurley, Johnny Woodlief of Davies Florida, Moses Provenzano of Woodstock, Kasey Stelter of Zena, Jack Stelter of Zena.
Calling hours will be at Jonji and Suzanne's home on Saturday, September 6th from noon until 8 PM. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Jonji's name to Family of Woodstock ( http://www.familyofwoodstock.org/ )