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.

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.

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 after 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.

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.

Marie Florence Fabiano

Marie Florence Fabiano, 91, of Naples, Fla., died Friday, June 23, 2017. Marie was born in the “Ironbound” in Newark, N.J., on July 25, 1925. She was a longtime resident of Cedar Grove, raising her family there, and a recent resident of Naples, Fla. The first of her family to go to college, she received her B.A. from Montclair State University, and her M.A. from Columbia University in music. An accomplished pianist, she performed at Carnegie Hall and worked her way through college playing in a quartet in jazz clubs. After marrying the love of her life, Anthony Fabiano, she became a music teacher at her alma mater, East Side High School, in Newark, and in East Orange, NJ. While her children were young, she was a private piano teacher, and later went back to teach music at George Washington Junior High School in Wayne, NJ.

Richard D. Johnson

Richard D. Johnson died Thursday, June 8, 2017 in Lafayette Hill, PA. He was a beloved music teacher of Perth Amboy High School who had retired after 39 years of service. During his tenure he served as President of The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), was awarded “Teacher of the Year” and was most noted for directing the Perth Amboy High School Choir. A nationally renown award winning choir for many years, the choir even performed at Carnegie Hall in New York. Teaching music was his life and his motto was “once you believe, you can achieve!” He served as “father figure” to many students.

Donna L. Kaufman

Donna L. Kaufman, age 69 of Eatontown, formerly from Somerset, PA, died Sunday, May 21, 2017. Donna was a music teacher for the West Long Branch School System for 30 years. She was in charge of vocal and instrumental music, and her students performed in many programs for the school during her career. Donna traveled extensively throughout Europe. Her favorite trips were cruises to Alaska and trips to Bermuda. She loved teaching music and will be missed by students, colleagues and friends.

Mary Louise Lee (Barrett)

Mary Louise Leen, nee Barrett, of Toms River passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 25, 2017 after a brief illness. Mary graduated from Misericordia College, in Dallas, PA with a Bachelor Degree in Music. After graduating, Mary came to Toms River in the early 1950s to accept a teaching position at Saint Joseph Catholic School as the music teacher. She met her husband, James F. Leen, shortly thereafter. Mary obtained her Master’s Degree from Monmouth University and went on to work towards her Doctorate by commuting to Temple University, while working full time and raising her family. In June of 1992, she retired from the Dover Township Board of Education. After retirement, she continued to pursue her love for music. Mary was also a private piano teacher from the time of her marriage into her retirement. She was a communicant of Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Toms River where she was also a member of the Rosary Altar Society.

Robert G. McLain

Instrumental music teacher, baseball and football coach Robert G. McLain, 65, of Lincoln Park, N.J., passed away on May 13, 2017. Born in Paterson, N.J., Bob resided in Lincoln Park for 28 years. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at William Paterson College (1976) and his Master’s Degree at New Jersey City University (1989). Bob taught instrumental music at Kinnelon High School and coached baseball and football. He was an active 3rd Degree member of St Joseph’s Knights of Columbus for 28 years. Bobby’s life was an incredible blessing that shined through everyone he encountered. He began his musical journey carrying his trombone two miles uphill in both directions through the snow, and shared his father’s love for music.

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Kenneth Howard Phillips

Kenneth Howard Phillips, 77, of Langhorne, PA, passed away Friday, June 30, 2017, at St. Mary Medical Center. Born in Titusville NJ, Phillips resided in the area for many years before moving to Pennington, NJ, and retiring in Langhorne. His career as a music educator included band director in the Flemington and Hopewell Valley regional school districts. As a professional musician, Phillips played trumpet in society big bands, brass ensembles, and orchestras in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including more than 30 years with the Trenton Symphony.

Jasper L. Powell

Jasper L. Powell, 85, died on March 15, 2017, at his home in Verona, NJ. Born in Winston Salem, NC., he lived in East Orange, NJ, prior to moving to Verona in 1973. He had a BA in music and education from Winston Salem University and an MA in administration and supervision from Kean University. Jasper taught music and was the band director at Lincoln High School in Jersey City, NJ, for 30 years, retiring in 1992.

Patricia L. Root

Patricia L. Root was an elementary school music teacher, a woman of faith and an integral member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Patricia, 85, a long-time resident of Madison, NJ, died on Monday, April 3, 2017, at the Hospice of Palm Beach County, Inc. in Delray Medical Center following a very brief illness. Patricia was raised in West Orange, NJ, where she lived before settling in Madison, NJ, in 1956. Her love of music was evident through her career as an elementary school music teacher in Verona and Madison, and through her involvement in the NJ All-State Orchestra and the NJ Symphony.

Armond Frank Turiello

Armond Frank Turiello, 83, was a musician, music teacher in Newark, and a flight instructor who passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ. Armond was a musician and music teacher for the Newark Board of Education for many years. He was also a flight instructor, owned his own airplane and as a musician and educator, he taught many students to play music and fly. Besides his passion for music and aviation, he loved to travel and spend time with his family. Armond was known for his quick wit, amusing stories, jocular manner and worldly knowledge.

Ralph “Hassan” Williams

Ralph “Hassan” Williams, 79, chief warrant officer (retired), whose music compositions could be heard on the soundtracks for “Mo’ Better Blues” and “The Cosby Mysteries,” passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 21, 2017, surrounded by his family. “Hazz,” as he was affectionately known, was a child prodigy and classically trained musician whose early interest in music led him to play alongside music legends. “Hazz” dedicated his life to proudly serving his country for more than 22 years as band director, then as music educator at Trenton and Newark public schools, where he remained for 24 years. He was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Ala., and received “Teacher of the Year” award at Malcolm X Shabazz School in New Jersey.