In Memory of
Roger F.
Hetel
Hetel
1949 - 2016
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Aloia Funeral Home, Inc.
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Obituary for Roger F. Hetel
HETEL, Roger Frank, 66, of Garfield passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on April 22, 2016. Roger was the loving son of Nellie (nee Gut) and the late Frank Hetel. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sister, Barbara Zackaroff; his nephew, Gregory Zackaroff and his wife Kimberly; his Uncle Robert Gut and wife, Florence; his Aunt Lillian Gut; his beloved Godchildren, Gregory Zackaroff and Kristen Giblin; many loving cousins and his faithful companion Molly.
Roger was a graduate of St. Anthony Padua High School. He received his B.A. and M.Ed. at William Paterson University and attended the University of Copenhagen as an exchange student. He began his teaching career at Garfield High School where he spent 40 years as a Drama and English teacher, retiring in 2010.
Roger Hetel served for his entire career as the Drama Director of Garfield High School. In his tenure in this position he directed more than 40 plays and instilled a love of theater in hundreds of GHS students. Mr. Hetel established a chapter of the International Thespian Society at the high school to recognize student dedication to the arts. As the Drama Club advisor, he organized scores of trips to NYC for students to experience Broadway theater at its best.
As Student Activities Director, it was Roger Hetel's job to coordinate all GHS activities as well as advise Student Government and mentor the Student Government officers. In this capacity, he instituted the tradition of recognizing the Top 15 Academic Seniors along with their parents at a breakfast and ceremony in their honor. He was responsible for many fundraising efforts but one of his pet projects was the Freddie Porter Scholarship Fund. He organized numerous Art Auctions to benefit Project Graduation and the Drama Club. Mr. Hetel also served as a Class Advisor and Environmental Club Advisor.
Mr. Hetel was also a member of the GFT Executive Council and negotiating team and he acted as the Social Chairperson for GHS union activities.
As a lifelong citizen of Garfield, Roger was proud of his past service on the Library Board of Trustees, his tenure as a commissioner of the Garfield Housing Authority, where he also served as Chairman, and his active role as the Chairman of the Garfield Redevelopment Agency. He was an avid proponent of all redevelopment efforts in the city.Proud of his Polish Heritage, Roger was a lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Kostka R.C. Church, First Vice-President of the Pulaski Parade Association, and Grand Marshall of the Garfield Contigent of the Pulaski Day Parade in New York City in 1991.
Roger Hetel was the founder of the Garfield Friends and Family Travel Club and organized numerous trips abroad and into NYC for Broadway plays and dinners at Carmine’s.
Visiting Monday 2 to 8 pm. The funeral is Tuesday, April 26, 2016, arriving at the Aloia Funeral Home at 8:30 am followed by a 10 am mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka RC Church, Garfield. Interment St. Michael’s Cemetery, South Hackensack. The family is accepting donations for the Roger F. Hetel Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Hetel family is in the care of the Aloia Funeral Home, 180 Harrison Ave., Garfield (973-340-7077). Condolences/Directions visit aloiafuneral.com
Roger was a graduate of St. Anthony Padua High School. He received his B.A. and M.Ed. at William Paterson University and attended the University of Copenhagen as an exchange student. He began his teaching career at Garfield High School where he spent 40 years as a Drama and English teacher, retiring in 2010.
Roger Hetel served for his entire career as the Drama Director of Garfield High School. In his tenure in this position he directed more than 40 plays and instilled a love of theater in hundreds of GHS students. Mr. Hetel established a chapter of the International Thespian Society at the high school to recognize student dedication to the arts. As the Drama Club advisor, he organized scores of trips to NYC for students to experience Broadway theater at its best.
As Student Activities Director, it was Roger Hetel's job to coordinate all GHS activities as well as advise Student Government and mentor the Student Government officers. In this capacity, he instituted the tradition of recognizing the Top 15 Academic Seniors along with their parents at a breakfast and ceremony in their honor. He was responsible for many fundraising efforts but one of his pet projects was the Freddie Porter Scholarship Fund. He organized numerous Art Auctions to benefit Project Graduation and the Drama Club. Mr. Hetel also served as a Class Advisor and Environmental Club Advisor.
Mr. Hetel was also a member of the GFT Executive Council and negotiating team and he acted as the Social Chairperson for GHS union activities.
As a lifelong citizen of Garfield, Roger was proud of his past service on the Library Board of Trustees, his tenure as a commissioner of the Garfield Housing Authority, where he also served as Chairman, and his active role as the Chairman of the Garfield Redevelopment Agency. He was an avid proponent of all redevelopment efforts in the city.Proud of his Polish Heritage, Roger was a lifelong member of St. Stanislaus Kostka R.C. Church, First Vice-President of the Pulaski Parade Association, and Grand Marshall of the Garfield Contigent of the Pulaski Day Parade in New York City in 1991.
Roger Hetel was the founder of the Garfield Friends and Family Travel Club and organized numerous trips abroad and into NYC for Broadway plays and dinners at Carmine’s.
Visiting Monday 2 to 8 pm. The funeral is Tuesday, April 26, 2016, arriving at the Aloia Funeral Home at 8:30 am followed by a 10 am mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka RC Church, Garfield. Interment St. Michael’s Cemetery, South Hackensack. The family is accepting donations for the Roger F. Hetel Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Hetel family is in the care of the Aloia Funeral Home, 180 Harrison Ave., Garfield (973-340-7077). Condolences/Directions visit aloiafuneral.com
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