Leaving on a High Note
Wayne Bliss Gard, 87, passed away on May 2, 2012. Born in Sioux City, Iowa on April 15, 1925, Wayne spent his childhood on the family farm where he learned piano from his mother and eldest sister. This led to a life dedicated to music. He frequently performed at schools and churches and his obvious musical talent opened the way into the University of Northern Iowa where he earned a BA degree in music. He returned to Le Mars, Iowa to teach primary and secondary music in public schools, forming several student bands and orchestras, leading church choirs and playing the pipe organ. During WWII, Wayne played the marimba and toured with The Victory Trio, a USO troupe.
In 1954, Wayne married his sweetheart, Mary Jane Orban. They moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he attended the prestigious School of Music at the University of Michigan and earned a Master of Music degree. After completing his studies at UM, Wayne was offered a position at Bakersfield High School in California. He expanded the music program to include new men's and women's choruses, a madrigal group and directed the school's first musical productions, including South Pacific. He played percussion with the Bakersfield Philharmonic and gave private lessons.
In 1960, Wayne became the Director of the Choral Program at Long Beach City College, serving a total of 17 years. He further expanded the choral offerings with groups like the Vikings and Schola. His annual Christmas Concert, The Feast of Lights, was a major holiday attraction that featured multiple ensembles, dramatic tableaux's with costumed actors and a wide range of music. He instituted a practice of performing at least one major work for chorus and orchestra each year and he started many young singers on the path leading to careers in music education and choral conducting.
During this time he also played percussion with the Long Beach Symphony and other local professional ensembles including the Long Beach Municipal Band and the Civic Light Opera. He directed the choir at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Long Beach (10 years) and the choir at St. Cyprian Catholic Church, Long Beach (34 years).
In 1978, Wayne retired from LBCC to start a new career as a music retailer with his own store, Gard's Music in Glendora, California. Over the next 29 years he was dedicated to serving the music needs for local schools and colleges in the San Gabriel Valley and through his workshops, retail and rental programs. He helped music education and student performance ensembles flourish throughout the region.
He was generous with store employees and mentored many college students with their dreams to become performers, music teachers and church musicians. He researched and collected antique sheet music and was a noted expert on the American composer E.T. Paull.
Wayne loved his family and was most delighted when putting on large family celebrations, especially his famous Easter Egg Hunt and Thanksgiving chocolate turkeys. After retirement in 2007, Wayne enjoyed spending time with projects in his home of 50 years, reading, eating See's candy, playing the piano and marimba. He also enjoyed watching a few television programs including: Antiques Roadshow, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, American Idol and most especially, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wayne is survived by Mary Jane, his wife of 58 years, 7 children, Richard & (Evelyn) Steve & (Debbie), Chuck, Ted, Ruth & (Ray), Rosemary & (Stephen), Marisa & (Bill), daughter-in-law Francesca. 11 grandchildren: Julienne, Madeleine & (Moshe) Drew, Derek, Corey, Ian, India, Kira, Curran, Kendall, and Peyton, and 1 great grandson Liam. He is preceded by his parents, Elza and Ruth and siblings: Lowell, Kenneth, Wesley, Maureen and Bernice.
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Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell Mortuary (562) 425-6401
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