FENNELLE He who sings, prays twice. Ray Harmon Fennelle Born July 30, 1928 in Soperton, Georgia; made his transition on February 13, 2011. He was pre-deceased by his parents Harmon Lee and Emma Victoria Horne-Fennelle, brothers Olius, Hillary and Troy, sisters Geneva "Nell" Wages, Ila "Peggy" Ruckhardt, Helen Farmer, and Hazel Adams and nephew Darrell Farmer. He is survived by his partner of 35 years, Jerry R. Jones and nieces and nephews, Byron (Mary) Fennell, Kenyon (MaryAnn) Fennell, James (Donna) Adams, Richard (Paula) Fennelle, Peggy Fennelle, Tammy Brooke, Tibby (E.M.) Mizell, Harmon Wages, Dianne Wages, sister in law Robbie Jo Fennelle and great nieces and nephews. Ray was a long time devoted member of Unity, most recently with Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center, Rev. Betty R. Sikking, minister. He received his B.A. from Oglethorpe University and a Masters degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1960. He held several administrative positions with that institution, the last as concert manager in 1966. In addition he performed extensively throughout the New England area in concert and oratorio. Ray, a baritone, performed as a duo with Robert Paul Sullivan, guitarist also in the New England area. His background in the music field led him to San Francisco where he continued to perform and served as personal representative to James Schwabacher, noted tenor-lecturer and president of the Merola Memorial Fund of the San Francisco Opera. Upon retirement from the music field, in 1974, he moved to Jacksonville and under the guidance of his sister, Nell Wages, longtime owner-operator of the Nell Wages Specialty Shop in Murray Hill, he opened R. Fennelle's Inc. in Riverside from which he retired completely in 2002. In retirement, he has brought joy to many in the Riverside area through his love and pursuit of gardening. At the request of the deceased, burial was by cremation. He also request no memorial services
Published in the Florida Times-Union on Feb. 16, 2011