Raymond Heller

HELLER
Raymond L., 86, Band Director; Musician; RHS Teacher & Family Man of Rutherford, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, September 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 and played trumpet with the army band. After being discharged, he began his formal music education at the Julliard School of Music, then later transferred to Columbia University's Teacher's College where he earned his B.S. and M.S. in Music Education in 1958.
After graduation he 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 RHS Band Director, Music Department Supervisor and leader of the Rutherford Community Band. He conducted, managed, and ran the community band for the last 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.
After retiring from the school system, Ray devoted his life to managing the Rutherford Community Band, spending time making music with his grandchildren and caring for his beloved wife during her time of illness later in life.
Ray is survived by his three sons and their families: Dave of Salinas, CA; Rick, wife Judith and children Rebecca and EmilySusan of Livingston, NJ; and Bill, wife Kirsten and children Abby, Logan and Ryan of Wayne, NJ.
Funeral on Saturday gathering 9 AM for a 10 AM Prayer Service in the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Avenue, Rutherford.
Interment in Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst.
Family will receive friends Thursday 6-9 PM and Friday 1-4 and 6-9 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Rutherford Community Band, a qualified 501(c)(3) charity, c/o Joe Barbera, Treasurer, 16 Green Meadow Ln, Clifton, NJ 07013-1705.
He lays his conductor's baton on the stand, exists stage right, and the world is hushed.
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