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.
ter he retired from teaching, Richard sang in the choir at the Frenchtown Presbyterian Church in Frenchtown, NJ. Other interests included hunting and fishing, gardening and wood carving. He belonged to the Woodcarver’s group at the Flemington Senior Center for many years.
Anthony James Conti Anthony James Conti passed away on May 25, 2017. Living in North Bergen,N.J., age 89. He was born on July 7, 1927 in Fairview, NJ and was a member of the NJ Education Association and Local 802 New York Musicians Union. Anthony “Jimmy” Conti was born into the depression era with a passion for music and devotion to his idol Benny Goodman. Paying his own way for clarinet lessons he grew up to travel the country as a musician and entertainer with his wife Patricia Conti in the musical act “Marlow, Conti and Sam”. Anthony performed in the lounges of many famous Las Vegas hotels and for Vegas stars Liberace, Jimmy Durante, etc. Anthony also performed as a musician with the Nat Brooks Orchestra at many society weddings and affairs throughout New York and New Jersey. At age 39 Anthony went to Montclair State University and after earning his degree began a second career as an Instrumental Music Teacher in the Cliffside Park, NJ School District.
Loren D. Donley Loren D. Donley, 83, of Jupiter, FL, formerly of Point Pleasant, passed away, Sunday, August 6, 2017 at the Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Hospice Unit. Born in Shadyside, Ohio to the late Millard and Daisy Donley, Loren spent his youth in Ohio. After graduating college he moved to Point Pleasant where he raised his family. Two years ago Loren moved to Jupiter, Florida, to enjoy the sun. Loren was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves and a graduate of Kent State University and Ohio State University. He became a true “Buckeye” and followed Ohio State’s football team closely, attending many of their games. He received his Supervisors Certificate from Jersey City State College. Loren worked as teacher, choral director, as well as Performing and Fine Arts Supervisor at Point Pleasant Borough High School for almost 39 years. He retired in 1997 where they honored him by naming the high school auditorium “The Loren D. Donley Center for the Performing Arts.” He was the choir director for Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church for many years. Loren was known for his beautiful baritone voice and was a member of many choirs including the St. Peter-by-the-Sea Orchestra Choral, The NJ Chamber Singers and the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church Choir. He enjoyed adjudicating music festivals and volunteering for All Shore Chorus. The organization that was near and dear to him was America Sings where he participated with his show choirs through the years and then continued to volunteer after his retirement.
Richard Stephen Donelon Richard Stephen Donelon, 78, of Richland Township, PA, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at the Gardens for Memory Care at Easton in Easton, PA. Born August 5, 1938 in New Brunswick, NJ, Richard grew up in Sayreville, NJ. He attended the University of Miami in Florida where he obtained his BS in Music Education and the College of New Jersey where he obtained a Master in Music. Richard was a teacher in the Sayreville, NJ school system for 40 years. He served as band director at Wilson School, Sayreville Middle School, and Sayreville War Memorial High School. He also served as orchestra director at the middle school and the high school. Music was his passion, and afTEMPO
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