In Memoriam

This column salutes the lives and careers of recently departed colleagues. It is the way NJMEA and NJRMEA can express appreciation for the work that they have done and the lives that they have touched. We mourn their passing and salute their contributions, which are the basis for music education in the state of New Jersey.

Marvin Fine

Marvin Fine, 80, of Verona, N.J., passed away on Oct. 12, 2015. He was a graduate of the Juilliard School and Columbia University. He taught instrumental music in New Jersey public schools for 37 years. As a trumpeter, Marvin enjoyed a freelance career performing with big bands, concert bands, and the Colonial Symphony.

Patsy P. Filippone

Patsy P. Filippone of Millington, N.J., passed away at his home on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at the age of 82. Patsy was born in Glen Ridge, N.J. and lived in Bloomfield, N.J. before moving to Millington, N.J., 55 years ago. He was an Army veteran serving in the 7th Army Symphony from 1956 to 1958. He then served in the Army Reserve until he was honorably discharged in 1962. Patsy received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Manhattan School of Music and was employed as a music teacher for the Plainfield Board of Education for 38 years before retiring in 1995. He was also an accomplished violinist.

Marilyn M. Grisham

Marilyn M. Grisham (nee Means) passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on September 12, 2015. She was 81. Born in Akron, Ohio, she resided in Cherry Hill before moving to Mt. Laurel three years ago. She retired from the Cherry Hill School District after 32 years as a music teacher. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and cheering for her beloved Philadelphia Eagles.

Raymond L. Heller

Raymond L. Heller, 86, of Rutherford, N.J., passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, in Hackensack University Medical Center, after a brief illness, due to complications from a mitral heart valve failure. Ray was born in and grew up in Flushing Queens, N.Y. After high school, he was drafted into the Army, where he served with the Army engineers at the nuclear test sites in the Nevada desert; he also played trumpet with the Army band. After being discharged, Ray began his formal music education at the Juilliard School of Music, then later transferred to Columbia University’s Teachers College, where he earned his B.S. and M.S. in Music Education in 1958. After graduation, Ray was recruited to work as a music teacher in the Rutherford school system by Bill Hutzel, the current music department supervisor and Rutherford High School band director. Ray started out teaching in the elementary schools, where he met the love of his life, Betty Heller, who was teaching second grade at Lincoln School. They soon married in 1960. Ray also became involved with playing trumpet in both the Rutherford Community Band and the Waldwick Community Band. After Bill Hutzel’s untimely death in 1963, Ray moved up to become the R.H.S. band director, Music Department supervisor and leader of the Rutherford Community Band. Ray conducted, managed, and ran the community band for the past 52 years, conducting over 600 concerts. He encouraged both young and old to come together to make great music together. Ray thought there should be a proper performance venue for the community in Lincoln Park. He was the driving force behind funding and building the Hutzel Memorial Band Shell in the early 1970’s.

Harold (Ron) Magee

Harold (Ron) Magee, age 73, of Sayreville passed away Friday August 21st. He was born in Palmerton, PA and grew up in Summit Hill, PA before ultimately moving to Sayreville. Before his retirement, he was employed as a music teacher for Carteret for 2 years and for Rahway for 37 years. Harold served as Cub Scout Leader of Troop 69 and Boy Scout Leader of Troop 96. He was also a member of the Community Advisory Panel (CAP) for DuPont and Hercules, a member of the Cultural Arts Council, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and also served as a bugler for both the VFW and the American Legion. Harold was a very accomplished musician throughout his life.

Richard G. Satriano, 76, of Mahwah, formerly of Fairview and Cliffside Park, passed on August 31, 2015. Richard was born in Jersey City. Growing up in Fairview and Cliffside Park, Richard grew a lifelong love for music. Richard attended and gained his bachelor’s degree from the Manhattan School Of Music, applying that degree as a music teacher for the Union City school system for over 30 years. After work, Richard would play with many musicians over the years as a professional percussionist. In his 20 years of retirement, Richard became known for the affinity which grew for bowling and would always be found at “Montvale Lanes” making new friends.

Frank S. Scelba

Frank S. Scelba, 87, of Millington, N.J., previously Elmwood Park, N.J., a well-known musician and educator in the metropolitan area, passed away peacefully on Nov. 20, 2015. Among his accomplishments, Frank worked with the Belleville public school system for 42 years, retiring as the director of fine arts. He held the position of principal flutist for the New Jersey Symphony; first flutist for the North Jersey Philharmonic; solo accompanist for opera singer, Roberta Peters; director of the Wallace and Tiernan Choir, and adjunct professor at New Jersey City University. He had also served as a master sergeant in the West Point Band during the Korean War. Frank loved life and thoroughly enjoyed the company of his many friends, his fellow Elks and Basking Ridge Senior members, and playing bocce. Frank considered his greatest accomplishments to be his family that spans four generations.

Doris Watson

Doris Watson, 93, of Oakhurst, died peacefully at home on August 18, 2015. Doris, daughter of Justus Morton Smith and Nellie Chittick Smith of Oakhurst, was born in Long Branch in 1921. Doris received her bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College, Pa., and her Master’s and Doctorate in Education degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University. Doris was an organist and choir director at First Presbyterian Church, Staten Island. She was the first person instrumental in incorporating English handbells into American churches. In 1947 Doris, as director of the youth choir in the Brick Presbyterian Church, N.Y.C., began a training program in the use of handbells. She served with great distinction there until 1955. With her background of training in voice, piano, and organ, and her many years in choir work, Doris brought the art of bell ringing and the contribution of the Bell Choir to a high state of perfection. Her book, “The Handbell Choir,” a manual for church, school, and community groups, was published in 1959 by the H.V.Gray Co., Inc. In the 1950’s Doris appeared on the “Ed Sullivan Show” with her handbell choir and other T.V. shows as well. Later, Doris was an elementary and music teacher in the Twp. of Ocean school system for 30 years and at the same time, was a soloist in the Unity Church, Asbury Park. She also was the organist for other churches in the area. Doris then became the organist and director of music for 19 years at the Lutheran Church, West Long Branch, where she retired in 2010. For 25 years, Doris and her husband, George, coordinated the music and directed all the handbell choirs in the Tri-State area at an annual Handbell Festival held each year in various churches where all choirs came together. Doris traveled all over the U.S., camping first with her husband, and later with her two sons. As a family, they loved the outdoors and, of course, their great love for music encompassed their entire lives. Later, Doris traveled internationally to handbell conventions and various functions.

Frank H. Unger

Frank Unger, band director/supervisor of music at Lakewood High School for 32 years, died Sunday afternoon at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ., at the age of 94. Frank was born in Penbrook, PA., a suburb of Harrisburg, and graduated from New Cumberland High School, where he met his future wife, Betty Brinton. His college career at Lebanon Valley College was interrupted by World War II. He served as a trumpet soloist with the 513th Army Air Force Band for four years at bases in Biloxi, MS. and England. Immediately after receiving his baccalaureate degree he began his teaching career in Lakewood. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, in 1954. His LHS marching band of over 200 students was honored to participate in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. in 1976. He was always extremely proud of his former students, many of whom pursued music degrees and became accomplished performers and teachers. While teaching in Lakewood, Frank also founded the Lakewood Municipal Band which presented concerts every summer at Lake Carasaljo. After retiring from the public school system Frank became an instructor in music/band director and supervisor of student teachers at Georgian Court University, a position he held for 10 years. A devout Christian, Frank’s church work included choir direction at the First Baptist Church of Lakewood, Faith Bible Church in Jackson, The United Methodist Church, Venice, FL., and Christ United Methodist Church in Lakewood. Frank was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, New Jersey Band Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, Lakewood Country Club and the Black Hawks. He was selected into the Lakewood Hall of Fame in 1995.