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Condit Atkinson Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Condit Atkinson
Walter Milligan
December 2, 2023
I graduated from HPHS in 1966. Connie's dad was my first trumpet teacher. I still play my horn regularly, including many tunes written by Mr. A, from dixieland to small combo and big band. Not matter how busy he was, he always made time for his students. When I began teaching, Connie was my model. Memories of Mr. A and his music live on in those he inspired, and they are many.
Bob Himmelberger
November 26, 2023
In 1974 I met Connie when I was a student at Middlesex County College, I wanted to play music and had no idea how to go about it. I was interested in jazz and not much of a classical player and there was very little going on as far as jazz education back then. I guess he saw some talent and asked me to meet him early in the morning once a week before school starts and he taught me so much about jazz theory by going through a ton of his compositions. It was exactly what I needed. He never charged me a dime for this and the knowledge he gave me I still use to this day and also teach to my students.
He got me into the musicians union, got me some of my first gigs and told me about William Paterson College which sent me on my way. He did everything for me and I´ve been a musician ever since, I always wanted to tell him this but never got the chance, so I´m glad I can post it here some years later. I´m probably one of many he helped like this. The one and only Connie Atkinson, I owe him a lot.
Thanks for everything, Bob Himmelberger
Walter Milligan
September 22, 2010
I have yet to meet anyone whom I admire more than Mr. A. He was a veritable Who’s Who of positive personal qualities. He was creative, intelligent, gentle, strong, caring, supportive, tolerant, unselfish, accessible, charitable, and extremely dedicated. As we all know, he put his students’ needs first. No matter how much work was on his plate, Mr. A was always willing to listen to your troubles or take your mind off of them. The band room at HPHS was a special place, though without Mr. A, it would have been just another room. His frequent offer of “Hey Walt. Grab a horn.” still reverberates in my brain some 45 years later. Throughout my teaching career, I attempted to be someone of whom Mr. A would be proud. It was my indirect way of thanking and honoring him. As a high school student, I had virtually no clue how hard Mr. A worked. As a recently retired, high school teacher, I know exactly how hard he worked. Mr. A, during your life, you had a positive impact on a great many lives. Mine was one of them. Thank you.
Robert Deuble
January 25, 2010
Connie was a terrific musician and high school band director. I was in the HPHS band from 7th grade thru my senior year. He made marching band fun (and that's an impossible task), jazz band the best and the stage bands for the broadway musicals the best in New Jersey. All of my best memories of high school center around Mr.A and his program.
Harriet Cohen Hutchinson
January 24, 2010
So sorry we have lost a wonderful man and a great teacher. I wasn't good enough to play in the HPHS band so Mr. A kindly found a job for me first as mascot and then as "band mother" and rescued me from the teenage horrors of high school. I will be forever grateful. His teaching and generosity went far beyond the classroom.
Larry Hartstein
January 24, 2010
I think it's fair to say that Mr. A was our Mr. Holland. And that we were his Opus. [Although his catalogue ain't bad either...] I got to see Fern, Connie and his MOTHER once when I was down in Florida on business. We had marvelous time, laughing and remembering the things that passed for "evil pranks" back in the day.
And we talked about "Mr Holland's Opus", the Richard Dreyfus movie that had come out a few years before. I asked them what they thought. Fern said it was like they were doing a movie of Connie's life. And Connie cracked that that was typical. When HE does his life, not much happens. But when Richard DREYFUS does it, it makes millions and wins awards.
I hadn't seen him for maybe 25 years. And you know those people you can not see for 25 years and, when you do, you say, "So, as I was saying..."? He was one of those. And he still had the incredible ability to convince me that he thought I was special.
He started teaching me when I was in elementary school... he kept teaching me through middle school and high school... he kept assigning me new intruments, depending upon which section suffered most when the seniors graduated. The band room was my second home. Literally. I grew as much as I have ever grown, under his guidance.
I miss him, but not much. Thinkng about him makes me happy.
Who he was absolutely affects who I am and I have taught my children the same lessons he taught me. I have seen them teach the same lessons to others.
Harder to hug, maybe. But no less a hero.
Bruce McCall
January 23, 2010
Just learned of Mr. A's passing. Please pass on condolences from the entire McCall family who only lived in HP for three years, but whose lives were all touched for the better by Connie and his family. For me, those years (grades 7-9) were especially important as my activities were centered around music. Connie and Joan Blume encouraged me and gave me opportunities that I will remember forever.
Best to all,
Local 204-373 Musician's Union
December 14, 2009
Our sincerest sympathies to you and your family. May the memories of Connie as very talented musician, an inspirational teacher, a dedicated father and a friend to all bring you and your family comfort.
Brian Pottle
December 14, 2009
With the greatest, fondest memories of Uncle Con. A smile comes to my face when I think about him. My love goes out to Aunt Fern, Dawn, and Condit.
December 14, 2009
The fondest memory of my high school years by far was my time spent with Mr. A in band.Dance band practice on Monday nights,pit band in My Fair Lady,not to mention all the bologna sandwiches he prepared at his own expense for the marching band.I hated to see dance band practice end or the musical finish its run.I had a double lunch my senior year & couldn't wait to go down to the band room & play clarinet with Mr. A's piano on those wonderful notebooks of arrangements.What a privilege it was to know him.David Krieger,Class of 1964.
Part of the Pottle clan at the Music Camp close to Tanglewood - Summer 1962
December 11, 2009
The Atkinsons in Williamsville, MA - 1959
December 11, 2009
Uncle Connie, Dawn, Brian and me - our backyard in Lexington, MA
December 11, 2009
Uncle Connie and I in the backyard - Lexington, MA 1965
Erin Conway
December 11, 2009
Uncle Connie was such a sweetheart. So kind, very funny, and an all around wonderful person. I always remember him as an enthusiastic bear hug. What a real joy to be around! I have every one of the Holiday Cards with Uncle Connie's music pieces. We always looked forward to seeing what he would do. To Uncle Connie, Aunt Fern, Dawn and Condit - I love you!
Paul Kessin
December 11, 2009
I remember how we would sit together at the piano when I was in my teens and he taught me one section at a time, by ear and also by watching him play on the piano, many jazz songs that he wrote for piano. I still remember them to this day and play the songs he taught me once in a while which still bring me great joy. I will miss him. He was a great man and somehow was able to spread goodness wherever he went that directly affected many people in a significant and postive way. HPHS 1985
Victor Torrisi
December 11, 2009
Connie used to play the National Anthem on the piano for each assembly at HPHS. After he graduated I got the job. I also learned to play the Baritone Horn from his father in the HPHS band. That got me into the army band during the Korean War. Lots of fond memories.
Vic Torrisi
December 11, 2009
I first met Connie Atkinson at Middlesex College, where he had organized a fabulous jass band, way beyond the level one would expect from a group of student musicians. He leaves a legacy of appealing music, in my case, his piano solos, his Duet of the Month book, organ/piano arrangements, choral anthems. He was a thoroughly likeable person, warm, friendly, and with a great sense of humor. He and Fern have meant a lot to me, over the years, and it is hard to think of him being absent from the equation the two of them shared. I wish Fern comfort, and hope that she can find solace in the many warm memories he left behind. Lillian Kollar
Lee Lensky, HPHS '71
December 11, 2009
He (and his father) were the first people I met when we moved to Highland Park, and the first to make me feel welcome. I reveled in the warmth of the special musical community that he and Joan Blume created for us. Always offering encouragement to learn more and love the music, he allowed me to explore any musical direction (or instrument) my curiosity took me in. But always with firm insistence that I put all of myself into the learning and the performance. The huge sense of personal loss is balanced by the happy memories I have and the knowledge that so many of my schoolmates shared the same wonderful experience. My sincerest condolences to Fern, Dawn and Connie.
Mary Beth (Evans)Skleros
December 10, 2009
Memories of Connie Atkinson:
My memories of Connie Atkinson are as wonderful as everyone else’s who knew and loved him as a great teacher and close friend. I was extra lucky however, for soon after my parents met him (I was about 3 year old) he became as close enough with our family to be proclaimed "Uncle" and Fern to be “Auntie”.
Our families did everything together, from singing in the church choir to living together at the cabin (Jersey Shore) in the summer to vacationing in Europe to attending football games, concerts, (vocal and band), shows (musicals), playing tennis, playing cards, cooking/barbequing ,boating, fishing, and crabbing….you name it.
One day, when my little sister Tai was quite young, she called him “Uncle Daddy”. The name has stuck for the last 45 years and for good reason. Wherever we were, Uncle Daddy was either with us or not far away, and always with us in spirit. Along with all of his wonderful attributes, he had a great sense of humor, was incredibly creative (not just musically) and extremely generous with his time. He could always be counted on to find something positive and uplifting to say or do and had a knack for providing such it when it seemed to be needed most.
When not living together at the shore, our families lived close to each other in Highland Park and we would get together at least once during each week to have dinner at the Edison Diner. Fridays were usually reserved for pizza at our house where my parents would play Bridge with the A's until the wee hours (Well …way past my bedtime anyway). Bridge was played most evenings at the cabin too while we (the Evans kids) played board games or cards with our “cousins” Dawn and Condit.
Aside from being a very special Uncle to me, Uncle Daddy also played the part of piano teacher and would come over every week to give me a lesson. Once when I was about 11 years old, I had broken my right thumb and thought I wouldn't be able to play the piano until the cast came off. Almost before the plaster could dry, Uncle Daddy walked in our door with a new piece he had written. To my surprise, it was a beautiful little left-handed piece for me to work on until the cast came off. He had named it, "A Little Sadness for Mary Beth". (How special is that?)
Fast forward to my high school days: Unfortunately, Uncle Daddy was no longer teaching at HPHS, but he did arrange for his friends and a couple of vocalists to play on our dock at the cabin in the summers. The event was dubbed the “Mud City Music Festival”. What a great time we had with that entertainment. At my wedding, Uncle Daddy and Auntie Fern were there to provide the beautiful music at the service with Uncle Daddy playing the piano and Auntie Fern singing like a lark. “Little Condit’s” band played famously for our reception.
Then our children arrived and Uncle Daddy wrote special stories to share with them and told stories of Margo, the seafaring pirate. Later on, when he and Auntie Fern had moved away to Florida, he would send a few chapters at a time of a story he was writing. When I looked for them this evening I did find several chapters. One of them was Chapter 51!
our children aspired to become vocalists and musicians, it was Uncle Daddy who took on the role of family musical mentor. He would help them with their instruments, theory, writing and arranging. Auntie Fern could always be counted on to help out with the harmonies. Just a couple of weeks ago Christina and Tom used his charts in the William Paterson Jazz Program. Students and teachers there asked, “Hey” Where did you get that? It’s a great chart!” The kids answered simply, ‘My Uncle Daddy arranged it.” The other week Uncle Daddy had gotten an idea for them to use a jazz piece he had written some time ago. The kids were lucky to have been able to fly down on December 4th to visit with him and hear all about it. On the last day of his life, in an amazing display of passion for music and teaching, Uncle Daddy was able to do what perhaps he loved to do most…teach a music lesson. His impact as Uncle Daddy, their friend, uncle, and music mentor will live in their hearts and ours forever.
Margie Metzger
December 10, 2009
I was very sad to hear of Mr. A's death. There is not a time that I hear the national anthem played by a marching band that I don't think that Mr. A's arrangement was the best.
I still remember the wonderful songs we played in dance band and the classics that my cousin Wendy and Jack sang.
My regards to Mrs. A, Dawn and "Little Connie."
Margie Bernstein Metzger
Bob La Tourette
December 9, 2009
My sincere condolences to the entire family. Mr. A was a very influential person in my life. During the period 1954 - 1958 I was a drummer in the band and orchestra, and I will always remember him as a very patient, sincere man with a good sense of humor. Somehow or other, he put up with all the antics I and my classmates put him through. He was always a classy guy, and a gracious, loving man.
Carol Carlson
December 9, 2009
I am so sorry to learn of Mr A's passing. When the HPHS Class of 1964 held a reunion a few years ago, many students--including me--listed him as one of their favorite teachers. He really was loved by all who knew him, and he's the reason why I'm still playing my flute in a band all these years later. My sincere condolences to the family.
Carol Gordon Carlson
Dennis Nardone
December 9, 2009
Mr.A played an essential part of my life by his encouragement and dedication not only to me but to all his students. He gave us his knowledge and confidence as young musicians but most of all as individuals. His service to all of us will be a lasting memory. I am blessed for having known Mr. A and I am thoroughly thankful for the time God gave me to be part of his life.
Ed Shapanka
December 9, 2009
Mr. A was a very warm person, and will remembered by all who attended HPHS. He had a special gift and talent that one does not find frequently. He will be missed and remembered by everyone whose lives he touched. Ed Shapanka HPHS '65
Phyllis Logie
December 9, 2009
My sincere condolences and sympathy to the family. I remember most that Mr. Atkinson recorded the music for Mary Ellen Evans fitness classes which I attended. A small matter in comparison to other achievements and works but a very personal remembrance for me. Sincerely, Phyllis Talluto Logie. NBHS Class of 1956, former Highland Park Councilwoman and neighbor on Felton Avenue.
December 9, 2009
I'm so very sorry to here of the passing of Mr. A, as we all called him. I learned so much from him, and he gave so much to anyone who he touched. He had a great talent for writing and arranging and introduced many students to jazz, There will not be many like him to come along and touch lives. Stuart Mitnick HPHS '63
Aviva Feller LaGasse
December 9, 2009
So sorry to read of Mr. Atkinson's passing. He was a much loved teacher at HPHS and will be remembered fondly by all. Please know that you are in my thoughts at this time.
Aviva Feller LaGasse, H.P.H.S. '69
Sarasota, FL
December 9, 2009
Mrs. Atkinson and family my sincere condolences. Mr Atkinson was a great guy and will be missed. He was the band leader when I was at Highland Park HS class of 61. He also initiated the trumpet section to play charge when I kicked off after scoring touchdowns. Now a 50 year tradition and all a credit to him.
Sincerely
Jack Vanacore
Vero Beach FL
December 9, 2009
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Atkinson. He will be missed by all.
Mike and Joann Kafka
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