In Memoriam
Theo Laceulle:
a truly
lovable person
Last week, we received the heartbreaking news that our volunteer, Theo Laceulle, had passed away. We are deeply saddened by this unexpected loss. It feels surreal. We are at a loss for words to express this loss, but I have nevertheless tried to describe what he meant to us.
It was 2002 when the then-office manager of Het Muziekinstrumentenfonds answered the phone and spoke with a friendly gentleman named “Theo Laceulle.” He explained that he was looking into options for a very close friend of his who was a cellist. She owned a Dodd cello and a Voirin bow that she might want to donate or loan to the Music Instrument Fund. No one could have imagined at the time just how important Theo would become to the fund.
A few years later, he called the Musical Instrument Fund again. This time to say that he and his wife Marianne were turning 60 and would be throwing a big party. In the invitation to their guests, they asked for a donation to both Amnesty and the fund. Of course, music was a must at this party. Musicians Cecilia Bernardini and Laura van der Stoep gave a stellar performance. It was a memorable celebration.
In 2012, Theo and his wife Marianne selflessly offered their services as volunteers for the “Weekend of the Musical Instrument Fund.” That was the beginning of a warm relationship with him. He insisted that I address him informally as “je” and stop using the formal “vous.” He stuck to that firmly until I gave in. He also immediately suggested, enthusiastically though very modestly, an idea: wouldn’t it be a good idea for the Musical Instrument Fund to release a “Theo Olof CD”? That wouldn’t be the last idea Theo came up with. He was brimming with creativity and tried to respectfully convince us of his ideas. For example, he felt that it was high time we put the double bass in the spotlight, because it had been far too long since we’d done so! He also fought for fair compensation for musicians, because musicians were really being paid a pittance. When the concerts were recently canceled due to the global COVID-19 crisis, he clearly felt deeply affected and saddened.
Theo was also dedicated to unraveling the history of musical instruments, which is why he stopped by our place every week. In addition, on behalf of the Musical Instrument Fund, he served as an intermediary between musicians and dozens of concert organizations and private individuals. With boundless energy, he handled musical matters both big and small. His fabulous and ready knowledge of music came in very handy. “Our walking musical encyclopedia,” we would sometimes joke among ourselves. Theo was music.
I did try (in vain) to rein in his enthusiasm from time to time. After all, he was also a partner, a father, and a grandfather to his beloved grandchildren, an amateur musician, and a volunteer at the Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam and the University Library. And when he wasn’t singing himself, he could be found at the opera.
We are grateful for the warm bond we shared, for the cherished memories, and for what he gave us by selflessly putting his talents to work for the Musical Instrument Fund. For many years, he was much more to us than just a volunteer, and we shared our love and enthusiasm for the fund and the musicians. It is a comforting thought.
Manon Veenendaal, Director/Administrator