AWW is sad to report that Michigan Accordion Society Honorary Member Raymond Norman Battani passed away on March 25, 2014. The funeral was on Sunday, March 30, 2014. Beloved husband of the late Elaine for 59 years. Loving father of Rayleen (Bill) Bradley, Nancy (Mike) Martin, Andrea (Scott) Bittinger and Lois (Paul) Bouford. Proud grandfather of Eric and Mitch Bradley, Jessie Willinger, Jeff Martin, Jacob, Haley and Ashley Bittinger, Jeremy and Erica Bouford. Dear brother of George & Lorraine Lozovoj. Also many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by sisters Joann Rossman & Sylvia Bianc
Ray had a remarkable life. Ray got his hands on a button accordion at the age of five and played Jingle Bells for his kindergarten class and that started it all. Ray had perfect pitch which made his advancement on the accordion go at a rapid pace.As a youth, he was a winner on the Horace Heidt Show, was on staff at WJR Radio in Detroit, and logged in over 200 hours of musical entertainment for the USO “SERVICE SERENADE.”
Ray was a music major at Cass Tech High School in Detroit and then went on to Wayne State University to further his musical studies playing baritone horn and piano. Ray was too young for World War II service but was one of the first draftees called in for Korean War duty and after basic training, was transferred to the 330th Army Band at Fort Mc Coy, Wisconsin, where he was made Band Director. Ray’s Army Band had reunions every year!
After two years of Service, it was back to Detroit and many years of accordion work with his “GOTHAM TRIO” playing all the top supper clubs in the area and also recording with his other group “THE SUNSETTERS.”
Ray also taught Accordion for the Gus Zoppi Accordion Center.Ray accompanied many singers when called upon, namely: Tennessee Ernie. Ray was a member in good standing of The Detroit Federation of Musicians Union for over 50 years.
Raymond was the owner of Macomb Tool & Manufacturing in Fraser, past president of the Michigan Accordion Society and veteran of the Korean War, band director of the 330th Army Band and an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the “Michigan Accordion Society”. The proceeds will be used toward the Michigan Accordion Society Scholarship Fund. For more information please visit this link at http://www.bcfh.com/obituaries/Raymond-Norman-Battani1922272891/
