James Metzler, who spent a lifetime playing the organ and performing in all corners of the world, including Toledo, died Friday. He was 69.

His wife, Diane, said he suffered an aneurysm. He collapsed at his home in Sylvania and died at Mercy Health St. Anne Hospital.

“He was a perfectionist and he was extremely talented,” Ms. Metzler said. “He worked hard, but he had a gift as well. He was a very happy man, always smiling.”

Mr. Metzler was born June 20, 1947, in Worcester, Mass. He was adopted shortly after birth by Robert and Olga Metzler. After his adopted mother became ill, he was raised by Thelma and Walter Fowler as a foster child until he was 18. His wife said he was often moved from home to home, and even lived in orphanages.

He began performing as a chorister in the Choir of Men and Boys at All Saints Episcopal Church in Worcester. Mr. Metzler took lessons on the church organ as a member, and was strongly influenced by conductor Henry Hokans. He started playing the organ as a teenager.

Mr. Metzler was well-schooled in music, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in music from Westminster Choir College and a master’s from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. He also took organ and musicology doctoral courses at the University of Michigan.

He taught music courses at the University of Toledo, Grand Valley State University, and Mitchell College in New London, Conn.

Mr. Metzler gave organ recitals all over the globe, including Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Worcester Cathedral in the United Kingdom, and Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York.

He was proudest of his performance at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2004. He had been receiving cancer treatment, and an hour before his flight, his doctor called him and said he was cancer-free.

“In the world of church organs, Notre Dame is a well- known organ,” said Ms. Metzler, who married her husband Aug. 27, 1988. “It’s like the highest mountain to climb. He was just so invigorated. He played probably the best he ever had.”

Mr. Metzler toured England about 20 times, directing well over 100 choral services. He directed the music for the British VJ Day 50th Anniversary Service in 1995 at York Minster Cathedral.

He moved to Toledo to become organist and choir master at Trinity Episcopal Church in Toledo in 1972, serving until 1996. He also performed with the Toledo Symphony periodically.

“He built the men and women’s choir,” Ms. Metzler said. “He would not do simple music; he would always make the choir sing songs that would stretch their knowledge. He also had a concert series that became a place where people would gravitate to hear good music.”

Ms. Metzler said several musicians from all over world have reached out since her husband’s death, including Martin Neary, who worked with Elton John to put on the music for Princess Diana’s funeral.

Surviving are his wife, Dianne, and sons Jeff Metzler and Yurii Fought.

Visitation is today at Walker Funeral Home in Sylvania from 5 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday at Our Queen of the Holy Rosary Cathedral at noon. Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Memorials may be made to the Toledo Area Humane Society.

Contact Jay Skebba at: jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebbaBlade.

First Published May 23, 2017, 4:00 a.m.