Obituary for Harold W. "Hal" Janks
HAROLD W. JANKS
August 16, 1945 – June 27, 2022
Mountainville, NY
Harold W. Janks, “Hal”, of Mountainville, NY, passed away peacefully with family at his side on June 27, 2022 at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh, NY. He was 76 years old.
The son of the late Harold Janks and Ruth E. (Reineke) Janks, Hal was born on August 16, 1945 in Chicago, IL.
In 1967, Hal earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Trombone Performance at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, New York, studying with Emory Remington. In 1972, he completed his Master’s Degree in Music Performance (Bass Trombone) at New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Gunther Schuller.
In 1977, Hal successfully auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at Lincoln Center in New York City, winning the position of Principal Bass Trombone. He played with the MET in New York City and on tour across the U.S. and overseas from 1977 until retiring in 2006. Hal taught trombone lessons privately and served on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, caring for his students as musicians as well as people. Students often joined his family at their home in New Jersey and occasionally were persuaded to assist with yard work.
After retiring, he and his wife established The Storm King Lodge Bed and Breakfast in Mountainville, NY. They enjoyed hosting guests from all over the world.
Hal honorably and proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Band at West Point Military Academy from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam Era.
Hal was a performer who thrilled audiences in many arenas, not just with his beautiful trombone sound and groan-worthy “Dad jokes”. He was a monster on the tennis court and a master mixer of “liquid tennis balls”. He was known by his friends and family for his special signature dishes: buffalo chicken wings with homemade bleu cheese dressing and cold sesame noodles. When he cooked, the kitchen became his stage; it may have taken him all day to recreate the recipes each time, but the result was always amazing, full of laughs and memorable. He will be missed greatly.
Hal is survived by his beloved wife: Priscilla “Gay” (Burris) Janks at home; his sons: Christopher D. Janks, Cary D. Janks and his wife Zenta; his daughter: Catherine R. (Janks) Lefebvre and her husband Matthew; and his 5 grandchildren: Evan and Don Janks; Phoebe, Vivienne and Anna Lefebvre. Hal was predeceased by his sister: Judith (Janks) Lehman.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider supporting music education programs in your local schools.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 25th at the Storm King Lodge, 100 Pleasant Hill Road, Mountainville, NY.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences, please go to www.Quigleybros.com
August 16, 1945 – June 27, 2022
Mountainville, NY
Harold W. Janks, “Hal”, of Mountainville, NY, passed away peacefully with family at his side on June 27, 2022 at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh, NY. He was 76 years old.
The son of the late Harold Janks and Ruth E. (Reineke) Janks, Hal was born on August 16, 1945 in Chicago, IL.
In 1967, Hal earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and Trombone Performance at the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, New York, studying with Emory Remington. In 1972, he completed his Master’s Degree in Music Performance (Bass Trombone) at New England Conservatory of Music, studying with Gunther Schuller.
In 1977, Hal successfully auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra at Lincoln Center in New York City, winning the position of Principal Bass Trombone. He played with the MET in New York City and on tour across the U.S. and overseas from 1977 until retiring in 2006. Hal taught trombone lessons privately and served on the faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, caring for his students as musicians as well as people. Students often joined his family at their home in New Jersey and occasionally were persuaded to assist with yard work.
After retiring, he and his wife established The Storm King Lodge Bed and Breakfast in Mountainville, NY. They enjoyed hosting guests from all over the world.
Hal honorably and proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Band at West Point Military Academy from 1967 to 1970 during the Vietnam Era.
Hal was a performer who thrilled audiences in many arenas, not just with his beautiful trombone sound and groan-worthy “Dad jokes”. He was a monster on the tennis court and a master mixer of “liquid tennis balls”. He was known by his friends and family for his special signature dishes: buffalo chicken wings with homemade bleu cheese dressing and cold sesame noodles. When he cooked, the kitchen became his stage; it may have taken him all day to recreate the recipes each time, but the result was always amazing, full of laughs and memorable. He will be missed greatly.
Hal is survived by his beloved wife: Priscilla “Gay” (Burris) Janks at home; his sons: Christopher D. Janks, Cary D. Janks and his wife Zenta; his daughter: Catherine R. (Janks) Lefebvre and her husband Matthew; and his 5 grandchildren: Evan and Don Janks; Phoebe, Vivienne and Anna Lefebvre. Hal was predeceased by his sister: Judith (Janks) Lehman.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please consider supporting music education programs in your local schools.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 25th at the Storm King Lodge, 100 Pleasant Hill Road, Mountainville, NY.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences, please go to www.Quigleybros.com