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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.


Michael Patrick Gabriel Michael Patrick Gabriel, 70, of West


New York, NJ passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the Hackensack Univer- sity Medical Center. He was a retired mu- sic teacher for the West New York Board of Education.


James R. Lenney


James R. Lenney, 85, an active and


longtime Cranford, N.J., resident, died June 16, 2013, following a brief illness at Over- look Medical Center. Born and raised in Staten Island, N.Y., Lenney graduated from Port Richmond High School in 1946, NYU in 1950, with a B.A., and in 1957 with his M.A. in music education. Postgraduate work included NYU, Seton Hall, and Kean Uni- versities, as well as Westminster Choir Col- lege. Many consider Lenney the patriarch of Cranford’s music community. He inspired literally thousands of students with and through music. Lenney began teaching in Cranford during the 1952 to 1953 school year, and served as music teacher, director


TEMPO


of choral activities at Cranford High School, and supervisor of music for the entire dis- trict. A tradition of excellence in singing was established under his leadership, and each year numerous students were selected from his choir to participate in the New Jersey All- State Choir, a tradition that continues to this day. In 1964, Lenney conducted the New Jersey All-State Choir, and he continued to be active in the state music educators’ orga- nizations. During the Vietnam War era, Len- ney was among a small handful of citizens to carry on the Memorial Day tradition honor- ing our veterans. After retiring from Cran- ford public schools in 1988, Lenney served on the faculty at Kean University, and was their interim coordinator of music education from 1998 to 2001. He held music posi- tions at numerous churches in the area, but since 1983, for the past 30 years, he served at Trinity Episcopal Church as choirmaster and organist. One of Lenney’s crowning achieve- ments was the renowned 1980 Cranford High School Choir, and their performance at the European Music Festival for Youth in Neerpelt, Belgium, at which the choir was awarded the summa cum laude medal. The Cranford Chronicle dubbed that ensemble “our triumphal choir,” stating in an edito- rial that “Cranford’s remarkable achievement entitles the choir to call itself ‘the best,’ and both the school and the town have reason to be very proud.” Lenney faithfully served the community for 60 years, inspiring everyone he taught to reach their greatest potential, in music making and in living life honorably. Three days before driving himself to the hos- pital, Lenney, accompanied by the current Cranford High School choir director, Antho- ny Rafaniello, presented the James Lenney Choral Excellence Scholarship for the first time to two graduating high school seniors.


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Lorena Linhares


Lorena Linhares, passed away on April 26, 2013 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Sara- sota, Florida. Lorena was born in West Virginia and attended Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J. where she met her husband Inocencio (Ike) Linhares. Lorena and Ike married on December 26, 1953 and settled in East Hanover and later Boon- ton N.J. Lorena was a music teacher with the Morristown, NJ School district for 25 years and was a driving force in the music program at 1st Presbyterian in Boonton for many years where she shared her talent and love of music with countless people. Lorena and Ike retired to Sarasota, FL where she en- joyed singing in the 1st Presbyterian (Sara- sota) church choir, attending opera, walking the beach and reading.


Lizbeth S. Mildner


Lizbeth S. Mildner, 75, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2013. Born in Newark the daughter of the late Thomas and Janet (Anderson) Sneddon, she lived in Newton coming to West Milford 43 years ago. Before retiring, Mildner had been a music teacher in the Pequannock Township Schools. She was a member of West Milford Presbyterian Church; its Senior Choir and former Junior Choir Director. Liz was also a member of the Serendipity Choir at Bald Eagle Commons, West Milford.


OCTOBER 2013


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