James J. Obrotka

Christian gospel artist James J. Obrotka, Sr., 92, (b. July 2, 1917 d. August 13, 2009). Born in Garfield, Mr. Obrotka lived in Rutherford, New Jersey USA for most of his life. He retired to Center Barnstead, New Hampshire before moving to Warwick, NY. Music was his life. He studied piano and organ at Julliard School of Music in New York City and understudied with world famous organist Marcel Dupre in Paris, France. Mr. Obrotka was one of the founding faculty at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey USA in 1955 and was voted into the Bergen Catholic Hall of Fame. He was also honored at the 50th Anniversary of the school in 2005. Mr. Obrotka was also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus in Center Barnstead, NH. Mr. Obrotka served as organist and choirmaster at St. Francis Xavier Church in Brooklyn, NY for 35 years and organist and choirmaster at Holy Trinity R.C. Church in Hackensack, NJ for over 30 years. He played in several churches and senior citizen centers in New Hampshire after retirement.