Talented organist and teacher killed after being hit by car in Boardman

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) — A local man was killed after being hit by a car in Boardman Friday afternoon.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the man as 35-year-old Sean Baran, of Youngstown. He was known to many as a friend, brother, teacher and talented organist.

“He really made an impact on many, many people,” said Adam Zagotti friend of 15 years.

Zagotti says their friendship formed through a passion for music.

The two worked together as musicians at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Youngstown.

A video clip of Baran playing the organ can be seen on YouTube.

If Baran wasn’t playing the organ, he could be found outdoors. He was a board member for the Mill Creek Metroparks.

His love of nature was something he passed down to his students.

“He helped me appreciate Mill Creek Park and I hike there all the time now — and just life in general,” said student Fleur Considine.

Baran split time between Youngstown and Lincoln Park Performing Arts High School in Midland, Beaver County, while also serving as music director at the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.

“It’s going to be a hard gap to fill,” said Zagotti. “But his students really will be his legacy because he really taught the best and brightest of our local piano students.”

“He brought out the best parts in me that I really didn’t know were there,” Considine said.

Fleur Considine was one of Baran’s students and her mother Karen was a good friend and former classmate of his at YSU.

“He was full of fire, incredibly passionate. Like my mom says, he really lived every day to the fullest,” Fleur Considine said.

Baran lived in their neighborhood. His apartment was not far from where he was hit. Karen Considine says the area is a safety issue for those who walk and ride their bikes.

“We’ve always wanted to put in another red light, put in a crosswalk,” Karen Considine said.

She hopes something tragic like this doesn’t happen to another person in the future.

“And speaking to whoever out there might be in charge — please, please do something,” she said.

The accident happened at the intersection of Market Street and E. Fairlawn Avenue around 12:10 p.m.

Troopers said Baran was walking eastbound on the northern side of E. Fairlawn while a car was heading south on Market.

Baran walked onto Market Street in the lane the car was in, and the car hit him, according to Highway Patrol.

Troopers said Baran was pronounced dead on the scene. Since then, the community has been flooding social media with support for him and his family.

Those who knew Baran will remember him as Youngstown’s biggest cheerleader.

“He was a great person, was a really sweet guy, just the nicest you could be,” Zagotti said.

The crash is still under investigation. Troopers say the driver stopped and stayed at the scene.

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