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.
Susan Cheress Belly
Susan Cheress Belly, 63, of Fords, entered into eternal rest, De- cember 4, 2016 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. She was born in Perth Amboy and resided in Fords all of her life. Sue was a music teacher with the Woodbridge Township Board of
Education for 16 years before retiring in June. She was the gifted and talented music teacher for many years. She also taught at Colonia and Avenel Middle Schools. Sue inspired hundreds of students over her ca- reer, instilling in them a love and passion for music. She was a 1975 graduate of Trenton State College and a member
of the NJMEA, WTEA, NEA, and treasurer of the Central Jersey Music Educators Assn. She was an avid reader, the ultimate Yankees fan, a New Orleans Saints fan, and enjoyed her trips to Atlantic City.
Edward A. Thompson Donna R. Holtz Donna R. Holtz, 66, of West Long Branch, died Wednesday,
January 4, 2017. She was born in Babylon, Long Island, New York and lived in
Ocean Township before moving to West Long Branch 36 years ago. She was a music teacher at the Matawan Grammar School before becoming children’s choir director at the United Methodist Church of Red Bank. Donna was a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton.
Edward A., age 62, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Thompson was born June 12, 1954 in Englewood, the beloved son of Emma L. (Gordon) Thompson and the late Edward Lewis Thompson. Ed lived in Wayne for over 30 years before moving to Glen Ridge. He graduated from Wayne Hills High School in 1973 were he performed in both the pit band and the marching band while a student. He went on to earn a BA from William Paterson University and then pursued his dream of being a music teacher, first substituting at Neumann Prep and Wayne Hills High Schools and eventually working for the Teaneck Pub- lic School System for many years. Throughout his life Ed was a gifted and talented singer, guitar player and multi-instrumentalist. He played with many bands including the Dave Elgardt Orchestra and also the Michael Amante Band. Beginning in the early 70’s, Ed also started the folk group at Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church, which became the popular Sunday evening mass spot for the Catholic youth of the greater Wayne area. Along with his parents and his sister, Ed was a founding member of Our Lady of Consolation. Ed was loved and admired by the congregation there and brought his enormous talent to the church for many years. He also played at the Prince of Peace Chapel at William Paterson University. An avid photographer, if he wasn’t performing at an event he would frequently be seen there taking photos of everyone.
Charles Albert ‘Chuck’ Williams Jr. Charles Albert ‘Chuck’ Williams Jr. Xenia, OH Charles Albert Nancy D. Jervis Nancy D. Jervis of Medford, NJ formerly of Stratford, NJ died
Tuesday, December 13, 2016. She was 85. Nancy was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Taber-
nacle. She was a music teacher in Haddon Heights, Audubon, and Ber- lin Borough. After retirement, she was a computer programmer in New Brunswick. Nancy was an organist at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and she was a choir director at both Lord of Life and St. Mark’s.
“Chuck” Williams Jr., 84, currently of Xenia, and formerly of New Jer- sey and Florida, passed away Monday, January 2, 2017. He was born August 17, 1932, in Philadelphia, PA. Chuck attended West Point Academy, the University of Miami Florida, and Glassboro State Col- lege. He also attended Trenton State College. He was a member of the F&AM and the OES. Chuck attended Calvary Chapel of St. Petersburg, FL, and of Dayton, OH. He was a music teacher and high school band director in New Jersey. He received the NJMEA Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime commitment to sharing his love of music in all areas of his life. He also volunteered with the Xenia High School long after he retired from formal teaching. Chuck’s students were fortunate to be inspired by his love of music, which was evident in his teaching as well as his daily life.
TEMPO 58 MARCH 2017
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