Heller was born and raised in Queens, N.Y. After high school, he was drafted into the Army where he served with the Army engineers at the nuclear test sites in the Nevada desert and played trumpet with the Army band.
After being discharged, he began his formal music education at the Julliard School of Music, then later transferred to Columbia University’s Teacher’s College where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in music education. After graduation he was recruited to work as a music teacher in the Rutherford School system.
He is survived by his three sons and their families.
Funeral will be held on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford. Interment in Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Rutherford Community Band, a qualified 501(c)(3) charity, c/o Joe Barbera, treasurer, 16 Green Meadow Lane, Clifton, NJ 07013-1705.
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