RIP Mr Graham
Clementon, NJ 08021
Richard "Dick" Graham
Somerdale - On October 20, 2018, Richard, age 83, beloved husband of Shirley (nee McHugh) Graham. Survived by children Stephen (Andrea Comunale) of Marlton, Richard Jr. of Somerdale, Timothy (Patricia) of Sicklerville, Suzanne Graham-Hunt of Glendora, LuAnne (Ken) Carmack of Barrington, 11 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter and many loving nieces and nephews. Richard served in the US Army National Guard. He was the former Instrumental Music Director and later served as substitute teacher at Overbrook High School in Pine Hill, NJ. During his long career in music education, he won numerous awards with his marching and jazz band. Richard took his award-winning marching bands to Disney World to perform in the Magic Kingdom Parade for over 10 years. In the early 1970's New Jersey began to form its own chapter of the National Association for Jazz Education. Richard helped organize its formation and eventually became its first member. He later was elected to the State Board as Secretary. In 1990 he won the Outstanding Jazz Educator Award and in 2003 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, both from the Association. He was the only educator to receive an honorary life membership in the organization. After retiring from teaching, he became the NJ State Jazz Festival Chair. The NJ Association for Jazz Education named the Richard A. Graham Sight Reading Award, to pay tribute to him, and to the fact that his band consistently won the sight reading award. Richard was twice named the winner of the NJ Jazz Education Achievement Award. Throughout the 1980's, Richard led the Overbrook High School Jazz Band to numerous state championships in the New Jersey State Jazz Festival, as well as being a finalist in the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Band Festival (the largest one-day high school jazz festival in the world.) He won the Distinguished Educator award from NJMEA in 2015. Richard was a member of the Clementon Lions and was coordinator of the Leo Club at Overbrook High School. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Sunday, October 28th from 3-6pm and Monday, October 29th from 8:30-9:30am at the ORAL L. WOOSTER FUNERAL HOME, 51 Park Blvd, Clementon, NJ 08021. A funeral procession will pass Overbrook High School at @ 10:25 am before proceeding to the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning at 11am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Lawrence Church, 135 N. White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, NJ 08021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Overbrook Music Boosters Association, 1003 Turnerville Rd., Pine Hill, NJ 08021, Attn: Debbie Piccirillo. Share memories at www.OraLWoosterFuneralHome.com
Somerdale - On October 20, 2018, Richard, age 83, beloved husband of Shirley (nee McHugh) Graham. Survived by children Stephen (Andrea Comunale) of Marlton, Richard Jr. of Somerdale, Timothy (Patricia) of Sicklerville, Suzanne Graham-Hunt of Glendora, LuAnne (Ken) Carmack of Barrington, 11 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter and many loving nieces and nephews. Richard served in the US Army National Guard. He was the former Instrumental Music Director and later served as substitute teacher at Overbrook High School in Pine Hill, NJ. During his long career in music education, he won numerous awards with his marching and jazz band. Richard took his award-winning marching bands to Disney World to perform in the Magic Kingdom Parade for over 10 years. In the early 1970's New Jersey began to form its own chapter of the National Association for Jazz Education. Richard helped organize its formation and eventually became its first member. He later was elected to the State Board as Secretary. In 1990 he won the Outstanding Jazz Educator Award and in 2003 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, both from the Association. He was the only educator to receive an honorary life membership in the organization. After retiring from teaching, he became the NJ State Jazz Festival Chair. The NJ Association for Jazz Education named the Richard A. Graham Sight Reading Award, to pay tribute to him, and to the fact that his band consistently won the sight reading award. Richard was twice named the winner of the NJ Jazz Education Achievement Award. Throughout the 1980's, Richard led the Overbrook High School Jazz Band to numerous state championships in the New Jersey State Jazz Festival, as well as being a finalist in the Berklee College of Music High School Jazz Band Festival (the largest one-day high school jazz festival in the world.) He won the Distinguished Educator award from NJMEA in 2015. Richard was a member of the Clementon Lions and was coordinator of the Leo Club at Overbrook High School. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Sunday, October 28th from 3-6pm and Monday, October 29th from 8:30-9:30am at the ORAL L. WOOSTER FUNERAL HOME, 51 Park Blvd, Clementon, NJ 08021. A funeral procession will pass Overbrook High School at @ 10:25 am before proceeding to the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday morning at 11am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, St. Lawrence Church, 135 N. White Horse Pike, Lindenwold, NJ 08021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Overbrook Music Boosters Association, 1003 Turnerville Rd., Pine Hill, NJ 08021, Attn: Debbie Piccirillo. Share memories at www.OraLWoosterFuneralHome.com