Neil R. Stillman, charter member of Amherst Symphony Orchestra

Neil R. Stillman, charter member of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra, 88, of Williamsville, died Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007 in St. Joseph Hospital, Cheektowaga.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Stillman earned bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Buffalo State Teachers College.

In 1941, Mr. Stillman began a career as an industrial arts teacher in the Amherst Central Schools. He began teaching printshop techniques at Amherst High before teaching at the middle school.

During World War II, Mr. Stillman served in the U.S. Navy as a seaman first class and chaplain's yeoman aboard the battleship USS Alabama in the Pacific.

After the war, he returned to teaching and remained with the Amherst schools until 1965.

From 1962 to 1981, he was an associate professor of graphic communications at Buffalo State College.

To supplement his income as a teacher, Mr. Stillman and his wife, the former Nora Fisher, founded and operated Neil Stillman Engraving from 1946 to 1990. The small business made engravings for the printing and advertising trades. His family said he built much of his own equipment for the shop.

Mr. Stillman played bass trombone for 61 years with the Amherst Symphony Orchestra.

"(Founder) Joe Wincenc and I were getting out of the service at the same time," Stillman said in an April 2007 Bee article. "He was a violinist and wanted to create a group that residents could play in."

In retirement, he served as the orchestra's librarian and was on the Music Committee, which is in charge of music selection and programming, for over 10 years. He was also a stage manager for a few years.

He was also a trombonist at the Metropolitan Chapel's "Living Singing Christmas Tree" program for over 10 years.

Prior to the Amherst Symphony Orchestra, he formed a dance band with high school friends called the Trojans.

He also enjoyed gardening.

Surviving besides his wife of 64 years are four daughters, Kathy Meli of Mill Springs, N.C.; Jeanne Morey of Wyoming, N.Y.; Janet Lawson of Gadsden, Ala; and Laurie Oravec of East Aurora; three sons, James of Whitmore Lake, Mich.; Robert of Pendleton; and Gary of Clarence; a sister, Rowena Annunziato of Lancaster; a brother, Leon, of Pillsboro, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were private. Arrangements were made by Beach-Tuyn Funeral Home.