Obituary of Lou Montelione

Lou Montelione, 58, of Warren, NJ, left this mortal world and began his journey toward the light and love of God on June 12, 2015. Lou was a kind and loving husband, father, son, brother and friend who generously shared his feelings, creativity and warm energy. Born in Brooklyn, Lou grew up among a family of musically-oriented artists. His great-grandfather played trombone with Vincent Lopez and Paul Whiteman. Both of his parents are pianists, and his late step-father played saxaphone in George Auld’s group. Following his muse, he embraced jazz piano at age 15 and excelled at it. An avid composer, Lou wrote, recorded and produced two modern jazz albums and an album of originally-composed ballet class music that was a co-production with his sister, Nancy Raffa, and his mother, Marie Raffa. Lou fronted the jazz band Too Blue Lou and The Groove for many years. Critics recognized his multidimensional playing skills and ability to combine both a sophisticated, refined approach with a spirited attack. John Morgan of Cadence Magazine praised him as “a lyrical player with a soft touch” and John Bowers of Jazz News recommended to his readers to give Lou’s music a listen, extolling him as someone who “plays some serious jazz piano.” Following a diagnosis that threatened his mortality imminently more than six years ago, Lou began a journey of rediscovery and reinvention. He embraced important lifestyle changes, searched deeper for meaning, and learned how to love and respect himself and others anew. As a result of his courage, determination, and spiritual growth, he gave us six additional years enriched by his love and sweetness. Lou will be missed by the many who loved him dearly including his wife, Linda; son, Gregory, and daughter, Chelsea Anna; his mother, Marie Raffa; his father, Louis Montelione, Sr.; his brother John Montelione and his wife Marlise; his sister Nancy Raffa Hallman and her husband Bob; his brother George Raffa and his partner Richard Alvarez; his brother Alfonse Raffa and his wife Tracie; his father-in-law Alfred Tarasiewicz and his wife Lucia; and his brothers-in-law David Tarasiewicz and Terry Smith and his wife, Susan; and sister-in-law Linda Smith. Also, nieces and nephews included Michael, Matthew and Mia Montelione, Anthony, and Sophia Raffa; Laura Hallman; Alyssa and Matthew Tarasiewicz; Devin and Dylan Smith; and Andrea Perelli. Visitation will be on Monday, June 15 from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ, (908) 756-0017. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 16 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of the Mount Roman Catholic Church, 167 Mt. Bethel Road, Warren, NJ 07059.