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John Heisey Obituary
News Death Notice
HEISEY, John W. 83 Of Trotwood, OH died April 9. Service 10AM April 10 at Shiloh Church, Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory
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Memories and Condolences
for John Heisey
Nancy Bossmann Jones
November 12, 2024
I remember John Hersey when he directed our choir at Ohmer Park United Methodist Church and with his connection with the Dayton Boys Choir. How very sad to learn of his passing. He was truly a gift to our music community and I will never forget the DBC´s concerts at beautiful Memorial Hall. God bless you, John and we will never forget you.
Nancy Bossmann Jones
Rhonda (Walsh) Curp-Rencoret
March 26, 2011
Papa John....may the angels keep you in their care and entertain you with their music. Believe it when I say you have been in my thoughts many times and I have shared with my daughter my wonderful experiences as a Chansonnaire, and what an awesome person you always were. Truly my favorite teacher. It was an honor filled with fond memories being one of your students. As you always told us, smile when you sing because music is the universal language.
May 24, 2010
Wow..stunned...shocked...saddened...and deeply hurt. Those are just some of the words that describe my feelings today. Butch Brown informed me just today about Mr. Heisey's passing. No matter how old I got, he was always Mr.Heisey to me. I entered the DRBC in 1971. My first year in DRBC was Mr. Heisey's first year as Director. In 1979, I was proud to be Mr. Heisey's first 8 year graduate of the choir who had all 8 years under his direction. Choir was my absolute life as a boy. I loved it more than anything else in my life. As I read these posts, I am whisked back to all our tours and concerts. I think of all my big and little brothers and all the fun we had. I think of Jim Long and how much I did and do love that man. He is the greatest musician I have ever known. I loved the choir so much and trips from Disney World to Bermuda to New Orleans (Bourbon Street!) Florida, DC, New York...just a wonderful childhood of adventure due to DRBC. I miss those songs at McDonalds of the Lord Bless you and Keep You. I was proud to be a member of the choir. I think of so many names...Seibel, Brown, Germer, Studebaker, Bell, Crawford, Harris, Barnhart, Mott, Wilimitis, Ponitz, Bates, Whitson, Norton, Peaslee, Ray, Kurtz, Heiser, Boen, O'Neil, Bailey, Colton, Dunn, Hinesmon, Glover, Mitchie, Phillips, Wise, Houser, Yard, Manuel....the list is almost never-ending. All were friends that I still can see today as children just as they were when I knew and sang with them. I so wish sometimes to go back to that time, singing and being a kid. As I watch my own children, I see in my son the boy I was years ago. I am sorry he will never be able to sing under Mr. Heisey's direction.
A couple of years back, I was lucky to attend the DBC spring concert in the new center in Dayton. At the end of the show, I was thrilled to go onstage with Doug Woodrow, Chris Crawford, Sam Anderson and others and sing Battle Hymn of the Republic one last time under John Heisey's direction. I felt like a 10 year old boy again as Mr. Heisey looked at me for my attention before we started. It was an amazing feeling and for three or four minutes I was that 10 year old boy again. Thank you God for giving me that last chance to sing under my Director. My wife and kids don't understand right now why I am hurt so much....but in reality....we are all hurt so much by losing a man who made music his life and helped us grow up to be men. I will miss you forever Mr. Heisey!!!
John Alex Patton
Dayton Rotary Boys' Choir
1971 - 1979
Mike Precker
May 9, 2010
So sorry to learn of your loss. I didn't go on to a music career, but was very enriched by my years in choir and the chance to be in the chorus of a couple of musicals. I still quote the sign on the door of Mr. Heisey's office: "Help Prevent Interruptions. Go Away." He was kidding, of course.
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Tyree L Fields
April 23, 2010
I wanted to take a moment to mention how wonderful it was to see so many entries dedicated to the memory of Mr. John Heisey.
It is amazing how quickly time flies...it seems just like yesterday that I had great aspirations of progressing from a mere soprano to tenor and/or bass one day. Mr. Long, David "Poe", and David Comer are just a few names I recognized immediately when going through the registry.
My sentiments and fond memories align with many of DRBC/DBC alumni regarding the holiday concerts and summer tours. Some of the embarrassing moments too...like having to ALWAYS sing at McDonald's and other eateries before we were allowed to eat :O)
Mr. Heisey had passion and pride for the choir. He was very good at what he did because he loved the organization, art and music. Most importantly...he love the PEOPLE and KIDS!
I am especially touched by his passing, because we had just talked during a routine call to say "hello". During the call, I asked him to attend the Governor's Arts Award ceremony luncheon in Columbus, Ohio earlier this week. He agreed to attend and to speak a few days before the event to confirm our travel plans. When I did not receive a call back from him - I just assumed that he forgot about our arrangements/plans...I did not find out until the day of the event that he had passed on Easter Sunday...
I am hopeful that anyone reading this note will take the time to reach out to the choir and find ways to help keep it going for other young men (in the Dayton, Ohio area) in dire need of constructive outlets such as mentoring and music appreciation. Additionally, character building and life-long friendships are other positive results of DBC membership and involvement.
Thanks to Mr. Heisey for putting the "extra" in ordinary and to the Boy's Choir for "making the difference" by positively impacting my life as a young man.
MAY THE LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU!
Stay in touch EVERYONE Please!
Tyree L. Fields
[email protected]
Susan A. Thomas-Clark
April 11, 2010
I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of our dear Mr. John Heisey. I have many fond memories of John as our director of Meadowdale High School's Concert Choir and show choir, The Chansonnaires. His bright, twinkling eyes encouraged us to sing to the best of our abilities--and we always did! I admired his talent for making all of the music--fun. I think back to our Christmas Concerts and John directing us in a rousing version of "The Christmas Polka." During his direction, he would swoop one of sopranos off of the front row and polka with her across the stage—to the delight and surprise of the audience!
In addition to making the performance of music fun, he refined our tastes well beyond the Carpenters or Chicago (popular in the 70’s) with the likes of the Gershwins, Porter, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Handel.
John touched so many of our lives and truly enriched our love of music. I am sure God’s Heavenly Choir is singing a little better thanks to you, John! We love you and God bless.
MHS'75
David Stratis
April 10, 2010
Like many people, my thoughts of John Heisey have a lot to do with my participation in the DRBC. More than a few times, I have thought how fortunate we all were to have crossed paths with a man who had John Heisey's passions, skills and success in leading such an amazing group.
When the Children's Choir of Harlem (who we sang with in NYC) sang the African American National Anthem at the tribute to the victims of the Twin Towers tragedy, I thought of John Heisey and the many blessings brought to my life.
When I went on my first cruise since that Spring Tour so many years ago, I thought of John Heisey and the many blessings he brought to my life.
When the movie "Chicago" won an Oscar for Best Picture - a musical from which much of our Spring Concert music came - I thought of John Heisey and the blessings he brought to my life.
While watching the "Glee" generation embrace show choirs and the quirky but loveable mashup of a diverse singing group, I thought of John Heisey and the many blessings he brought to my life.
Thinking of all the great friends I made during my time in the DRBC choir reminds me how very special a man like John Heisey is to all future adults and leaders.
He will be missed.
John Colton
April 9, 2010
It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of Mr. Heisey. In 1975, I was one of only two first sopranos that were added to the choir. Mr. Heisey took an awkward, quiet boy with a LOUD voice and took me under his wing. He told me I should get to know all the kids in the choir and be friends with them. As a kid from the suburbs, the only time I ever saw "people of color" were the trash collectors who came on Tuesdays, or the maids and housekeepers who passed by our house on Peach Orchard Ave. on their way to or from work, or with their shopping baskets on their way to Dorothy Lane Market.
Before I knew it, I had several new friends. As we neared time for my first summer tour with the choir, I was nervous about telling my parents that two of my roommates were black and that one of them was my best friend, Breck Smith. As it turned out, my parents let me go on the tour.
I will never forget meal times on tour with the choir. It didn't matter if we were at McDonald's for breakfast at 6:00 am or at a 4-star restaurant like Mama Leone's in New York, before any boy was allowed to eat, we all stood and sang "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" a capella in 4-part harmony. Imagine the looks of the truckers with their morning coffee and the moms with the crying, crabby kids with the dirty faces hearing a group of kids singing a prayer of blessings for THEM! As we finished singing and sat down to eat, I was always amazed at the dumbfounded looks on the patrons and workers. The workers would always tell us to be sure to come back and the other patrons would ask us who we were and did we realize that it was just McDonalds?!
Mr. Heisey and Jim Long snuck me and Kevin Burkhart out of our hotel - past curfew - one night while we were in New York City - in 1979 long before Disney took over Time Square. I was amazed at how busy the city was, even after 11:00 at night, and how nobody seemed to mind the trash swirling around the curbs as the cars whizzed by. We stopped and got a slice of pizza from a street vendor, which I still say today, is the best pizza I ever tasted. Mr. Heisey told me to look around. He told me that if I applied myself, I could be in NYC singing at the Met or on Broadway! I didn't believe him, so I didn't apply myself, but I will always thank him for the dream he gave me.
Besides the love of music - of all styles - Mr. Heisey wanted us to look out for each other. Each younger boy was paired with an older boy. It was the older boy's job to mentor the younger boy and keep him out of trouble. It didn't always work...
On our trip to Washington, DC, my big brother, Doug Woodrow, had broken his leg and was in a wheelchair. On the tour of the White House, Doug couldn't go upstairs to the East Room or the Blue Room or the Red Room, so while the rest of the choir was going there, an aide took us on a "special tour". We got to see the map room and the Roosevelt Room and then got a peek at the Great Lawn and the Rose Garden through the windows while we were waiting for the rest of the choir. And, I can't be sure, even after all these years, but I (and even Doug) would swear that we saw President Carter walking by on his way to/from a meeting.
I am sad to say that of all the friends I made in the choir, I am only in contact with one of them, who happened to go to my school. Learning of Mr. Heisey's passing has brought back a flood of memories of great times with Breck, and Cedric, Phil Greene, Terry Sanderson, John Patton, Todd Bates, Tim Hisey, Keving Burkhart, and David Pontius (now Poe). These boys were my life for four years and I realize now how much I miss them, and Mr. Heisey.
I hope the kids at Meadowdale realize what a treasure they had in Mr. Heisey because, believe me, the kids in the DRBC all knew, and that is why, at the Spring Concert, when it was time for any alumni in the audience to come forward and join the choir for Battle Hymn of the Republic, the stage was FULL of alumni, who usually outsang the choir.
I will always be grateful for your mentoring and your life lessons and your including me in your choir. And, a message for all the former choir members,"Remember Johnny, do NOT order a peanut butter sandwich!"
Jim Long
April 9, 2010
I had the distinct pleasure and honor of accompanying the DRBC under John Heisey's direction for 14 of the 15 years I was with the choir. I appreciated and admired his skill and sensitivity not only with musical interpretations and arranging, but also with the building and maintaining the character of the boys and young men of the choir. We embrace your life and legacy. [ accompanist, DRBC 1969-1984 ]
Maryjo Phillips
April 8, 2010
Sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. John Heisey. The Phillips family has many fond memories of years of Dayton Rotary Boys Choir. We will never forget all the concerts and trips and fun that was had by one and all. Mark (President DRBC 1977) Maryjo and Roberta Phillips
Paul Kutzko
April 8, 2010
Sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle John.
There is a little less music in this world.
Dan Frye
April 8, 2010
John was a beloved mentor and friend since my middle school start in the Dayton Rotary Boys Choir. In recent years I have been blessed to sing with John in the Scottish Rite Choir.
I will treasure all my memories of him. He will be sorely misssed.
Brent Hayes
April 8, 2010
Sorry to hear the news. Many great memories during my four years in the DRBC(84-87). He will be missed!
April 8, 2010
I have many fond memories of Mr. Heisey from my days as a "second soprano" in the MHS choir. He was a great man and mentor. RIP dear friend!
Sheryl Profitt Goldberg (MHS Class of 1973)
David Comer
April 8, 2010
My mentor, teacher and friend. Your passion & love for music lives on through us. I will miss you Papa John. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. (MHS '83, DRBC '83)
David Poe
April 8, 2010
Mr. Heisey was a brilliant musician whose gift for inspiring youth and deep love of song impacted many lives.
I met him when he was conductor of the Dayton Rotary Boys Choir and I was a 9-year-old boy soprano, and sang with his choir until well after my voice had changed to second tenor.
Under Mr. Heisey's spirited direction, this ragtag group of local boys hailing from every walk sang classic music from several genres: classical, gospel spiritual, musical theater, pop.
Every Tuesday and Thursday we rehearsed in the basement of Westminster Presbyterian church in downtown Dayton. Winters we performed throughout the Christmas season at local churches of every denomination. Each spring we did a show at what is now the Victoria Theater. And every summer Mr. Heisey and some affable chaperons would lead us on tours to new places, trips on chartered Greyhounds that took us to Canada, The Bahamas and New York City, where I now reside. For many of us, this was our first time away from home and family. For me, it was my first taste of life as a traveling, working musician.
Here were 40 or so boys -- black, white, Asian and Hispanic, all dressed in matching windbreakers and neckties, even on travel days -- singing "The Lord Bless You And Keep You" as a grace before every meal, whether it was to be consumed at a four-star restaurant (a raraity), around picnic tables or inside a fast food joint off the highway.
I will never forget the beautiful intensity of these moments, nor, I suspect, will others who happened to witness it: all onlookers falling silent to listen to this unlikely group of young men sing with quiet power in four-part harmony, raising their voices as one in a song of thanks and praise:
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord lift His face to shine upon you, give you peace,
And be gracious unto you.
Amen.
Perhaps even more important than the musical knowledge Mr. Heisey gave to us were the lessons he taught us about life itself. In a town mostly segregated by race and class, where white kids from the suburbs and the east side African-American kids living across the river had few occasions to meet besides on a playing field, Mr. Heisey's choir was one where real friendships between young men from dissimilar backgrounds were encouraged. Both "Wade In The Water" as well as "Verdant Meadows" -- a traditional spiritual and classical choral piece -- were rehearsed and performed with equal rigor, and as such the artistic and social environment was one that recognized and celebrated cultural differences.
The arts are important for so many reasons beyond their inherent ability to enrich culture, and I believe Mr. Heisey understood how this project served to heal racial divides and foment a sense of common ground between us all. This special gift of understanding and connectivity he fostered is a transcendent part of Mr. Heisey's legacy.
Now I make my living as a songwriter, recording artist and composer for film and dance. So much of my understanding of music fundamentals and ability to lead groups of disparate musicians comes directly from the years I spent in Mr. Heisey's tutelage. I am saddened tonight by the news of his passing, but I feel so lucky to be one of those singers who both learned from his expertise and by his example. And I will never forget the impassioned look on his face as he raised his arms and his eyebrows and brought us all together in song. He imparted so much joy and knowledge to those who knew him, and I am forever grateful for it.
May The Lord lift His face to shine upon you John Heisey, and be gracious to you and your loved ones. Thank you for teaching us to harmonize with each other, both on and off the stage.
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