Obituaries by LocationRick Chamberlain
(March 17, 1952 - March 27, 2015)
Rick Chamberlain was born in 1952 to the late Richard Earl Chamberlain and Audrey Baxter and raised in Yardley, Pennsylvania. He began playing at age five, learning from his Dad, an amateur trombonist with a love for all kinds of music. As a youngster he had performing opportunities with local dance bands and youth orchestras and studied with Ed Cook in Trenton, NJ. His first professional job was at age 13. As a member of the Pennsbury High School Concert Jazz Band he won numerous awards which included a scholarship to the National Stage Band Camps. On the suggestion of the late Johnny Richards (who frequently rehearsed the band) he began studies with Wayne Andre in New York City. While in high school, he attended Phil Woods' jazz camp - Ramblerny - for two summers. At age 16 he became a member of the Trenton Symphony Orchestra. During the summer after graduation, Rick worked with Bob Newman's house band at Mount Airy Lodge (with the likes of Al Cohn and Dave Frishberg) where he got his first taste of the jazz scene in the Poconos.
Boston and the New England Conservatory were next. He received a degree (BM) in 1975 studying with John Swallow and playing in the orchestra, wind ensemble, the jazz bands of Jaki Byard and George Russell and a brief stint with the New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble. Among his other mentors were Phil Wilson, Gunther Schuller and Joe Maneri. A one and a half year hiatus was spent performing throughout New England with a Berkshire based band - Goodfriend Coyote. While in Boston, Rick played with numerous freelance orchestras, chamber and contemporary music ensembles, in clubs (Your Father's Mustache, The Sugar Shack, The Empire Room with Herb Pomeroy and John LaPorta) and spent one summer at the Red Garter in Wildwood, NJ and one as the Euphonium soloist with the Nantucket City Band.
After graduation it was back to the Poconos and full time employment at many of the resorts with such acts as Cab Calloway, Tony Bennett and Steve and Edie. ?Rick co-foundered (in 1978 with Phil Woods and the late Ed Joubert) the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts (COTA), an annual jazz and arts festival. He served in local government for 12 years and he was the 1989 recipient of the Fred Waring Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the arts and the community. He also created an educational branch of COTA and created COTA Campjazz, a week long summer camp for students that is now in it’s tenth year.
In 1976 Rick toured with Paul Lavalle and the Band of America and his life as a New York freelance musician began. The early years included lots of jingle sessions, Broadway shows (Sugar Babies, Showboat, and numerous others), subs at the New York City Ballet, tours with Bill Watrous and his Manhatten Wildlife Refuge, Englebert Humperdink, Chuck Mangione (record-Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Tarantella), a European tour with Louis Bellson's Big Band (record - The London Sessions), Gerry Mulligan (with Mel Torme and George Shearing) and at home formed Asparagus Sunshine and played with Water Gap Brass, The Gaptime Ensemble, the Dixie Gents, the Jazz Artists Repertory Orchestra (JARO) and the Northeast PA Philharmonic.
Rick recently retired as the principal trombonist with the New York City Ballet Orchestra, the American Composers Orchestra and the Westchester (NY) Philharmonic. He also performed with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the New York Pops, Joni Mitchell and Harry Connick Jr. and Broadway shows such as Cats - he was the last trombone sub before the show closed. He was the lead trombonist of the Celebration of the Arts (COTA) Festival Orchestra (formerly the late Dick Cone's Grandma's Soup). A CD of the Festival Orchestra with the Phil Woods Quintet titled Celebration was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award and they recorded a New Celebration in 2013. He was also producer/performer/ composer on the CD - Jazzmass: A Celebration of the Spirit in Delaware Water Gap which was re-released this year through COTA. He can be heard on several CDs by the American Composers Orchestra, Leon Redbone, Tashi and Philip Glass, Bob Dorough, This is How I Feel About Quincy with the Phil Woods Little Big Band, and Bob Dorough Duets.
Rick was the Lafayette Jazz Ensemble Director up until his death and was a mentor and teacher to many students over the years.
In April Pocono Arts Council is honoring Rick with the Performing Hall of Fame Award.
Rick's career is testimony to his love of music and the belief that a complete musician should be able to perform in any style.
Rick is survived by his wife Darcy Chamberlain, daughters Emelia and Lauren Chamberlain, a son Douglas McCoy and his wife Cherilyn, a grandson Ryley McCoy and a grandaughter Lorna Lee McCoy. He also has two daughters at heart, Melissa McCoy Billingsley and Jessica Pierson Tressler. He was preceded in death by a son Jamie. He is also survived by his sisters June Chamberlain Auger and Janet Fisher and her husband Steve and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held in May with date and time to be announced.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations to Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts(COTA) in order to create a scholarship for young musicians in his name.
Patrick J. Kelly, Jr.
(May 26, 1953 - March 26, 2015)
Patrick J. Kelly, Jr., 61, of Bartonsville, died Thursday evening, March 26, at Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Sozio) Kelly.
Born on May 26, 1953 in Staten Island, NY, he was the son of the late Patrick J. Sr. and Florence (Maguire) Kelly and has lived in Pennsylvania since 1997.
He was a supervisor for the City of New York Department of DCAS and also enjoyed refinishing furniture.
In addition to his wife he is survived by four children, Jennie (Kelly) Trimarche of Marshalls Creek, Cindy O'Campo of Albrightsville, Corrine D'Amato of New Jersey, and Patrick J. Kelly, III of Staten Island, NY; and seven grandchildren, John Patrick Trimarche, Liam O'Campo, Bastian O'Campo, Riley D'Amato, Joseph D'Amato, Kaila Kelly and Patrick J. Kelly, IV.
Viewing will be from 1:00 to 6:00PM on Monday, March 30, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg. Private cremation will follow. There will be no services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial remembrances be made to American Cancer Society, 2158 West Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.
Ralph E. Fish, Sr.
(July 19, 1941 - March 24, 2015)
U.S. Veteran
Ralph E. Fish, Sr., 73, of Cresco, died Tuesday morning, March 24, while under hospice care in his home. He was the husband of Josephine “Josie” E. (Harrison) Fish with whom he shared 51 years of marriage.
Born on July 19, 1941 at home in Middle Smithfield Township, he was a son of the late Benjamin and Virginia (Whittaker) Fish and was a lifetime resident of Monroe County. For the past fourteen years, he and his wife also had a second home in South Carolina.
He served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1962 and was first employed at Trumatic until they closed. He then drove truck for Besecker Excavating from where he retired after 20 years of service.
Ralph was a member of the Mountainhome United Methodist Church and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1106; and was a former volunteer with the Barrett Township Ambulance Corps. He also coached Little League in Barrett Township and loved to golf.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, Ralph E. Fish, Jr. and his wife Debra of Cresco; four granddaughters, Shana Elizabeth, Loren Nichole, Amanda Jo and Colbee Lynn Fish; a sister, Betty Johnson of Sun City, AZ; a brother, Robert Fish and his wife Helen of Elloree, SC; three sisters-in-law, Janette Fish of Pen Argyl, Lorraine Smith of Stroudsburg, and May LaBar and her husband Bob of Cresco; a brother-in law Fred Weisskopf of Piscataway, NJ; a godson, Brian Ace; a goddaughter, Debra Wilkinson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers, Walter Whittaker, Louis Fish, Richard Fish and Clarence Fish.
Viewing will begin at 5:00PM followed by funeral services at 7:00PM on Friday, March 27, at the Mountainhome United Methodist Church. The Rev. John Keretzman will officiate. Private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial remembrances be made to Mountainhome United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 327, Mountainhome, PA 18342 or Compassionate Care Hospice, 237 East Brown Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
David F. Paulus
(October 7, 1927 - March 21, 2015)
U.S. Veteran
David F. Paulus, 87, of Bartonsville, passed away on Saturday, March 21, at home. He was born on October 7, 1927 in Prussia, and had lived in the area since 1970 after moving from Pittsburgh.
He taught German, Biology and Earth Science in the Pocono Mountain School District for 25 years. He was a proud representative of the teacher's union. At various times he was the ski club advisor, the chess club advisor and the coach of the rifle team. Prior to teaching David served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of the Stroudsburg Chess Club since 1970, enjoyed playing tennis and loved music.
His wife, Anita V.M. Paulus, and his grandson, Matthew Hudson, preceded him in death.
David is survived by his daughter, Cecile Hudson and her husband, John, of Sugarloaf; his son, Victor Paulus, of Reeders; two grandchildren, Robert Hudson and Emily Paulus; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation beginning at 1:00PM followed by a memorial service at 2:00PM on Saturday, March 28, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg.
Donations in David's memory may be made to Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 or Heartland Hospice 881 Marcon Boulevard, Suite 3700, Allentown, PA 18109.
Thomas C. Forry
(March 30, 1951 - March 21, 2015)
Thomas C. Forry, 63, of Sciota, died Saturday morning, March 21, at Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Candace "Candy" (Martin) Forry with whom he shared 35 years of marriage.
Born on March 30, 1951 in Stroudsburg, he was the son of the late Charles T. and Martha (Edinger) Forry and was a lifetime resident of Monroe County.
He worked at Pocono Medical Center for 22 years and Concentra for ten years.
Tom was a very active member of Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church where over the years he served on Church Council, was a member of the Stewardship and Evangelism Committees, and volunteered in the church office.
He loved everything about God's creation and enjoyed taking rides to look for various animals, particularly eagles. Spending time with his family was one of his most favorite things to do.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kristen Lawfer and her husband Josh of Bensalem; a granddaughter, Hannah Lawfer; a sister-in-law, Deborah Chamberlin and her husband Jim; and many special friends.
Visitation will be from 1:30 to 3:00PM on Sunday, March 29, in the Lighthouse at Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church, 419 Bossardsville Road (village of Hamilton Square), Stroudsburg. The memorial service will follow begining at 3:00PM in the church sanctuary with Rev. Brett Jenkins officiating. Cremation was private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church, 419 Bossardsville Road, Stroudsburg, PA 18360-9056.
