Alfred H. Jorgensen Music teacher in Dunellen and on college level, veteran timpanist with N.J. State Opera and orchestras, 75 Alfred H. Jorgensen, 75, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in Hillsborough, N.J. A funeral service will begin on Saturday, April 7, at 10 a.m. in the Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Ave., Somerville, N.J. 08876. Burial will follow at the New Cemetery, 192 S. Bridge St, Somerville, N.J. Visiting for family and friends will be Friday, April 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Al was born in Bloomfield, N.J., and lived in Branchburg, N.J., and Manville, N.J., and owned a vacation home in Bayville, N.J. Al was an accomplished musician and music teacher, graduating from Somerville High School in New Jersey and earning his master's degree in music from Trenton State College. As a teacher, he taught music for 31 years in the Dunellen (N.J.) school district and at three New Jersey Colleges (Rutgers, Morris County College and Raritan Valley Community College), He also taught countless private students, many of whom achieved All-State status and several who earned All-Eastern accolades. As a performer, Al's prowess and dedication was highlighted by his serving two years in the U.S. Army Band as a snare drum player and as a timpanist for 40 years with the New Jersey State Opera, 30 years with the New Jersey Pops Orchestra, and 50 years with the Plainfield Symphony Orchestra and Garden State Symphonic Band. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 16-248. In addition to his music, the other loves of his life included food, in general, especially his Wednesday night dinner crew outings, and any diner, especially the Manville and Flemington diners; friends, especially his musical associates, his Somerville High School reunion committee gang, several lifelong and dedicated buddies and helpers, including Richard Emerson, Tony Addotta and Richard Ganim, and the many celebrity athletes, actors, and others he came into contact with whom he kiddingly fancied as friends; and family, especially his sister Katherine and brother Clifford, his cousins, with whom he loved to socialize and travel, and his many nieces and nephews who he would always try to help in any way he could. Al was predeceased by his parents, Clifford and Genevieve Jorgensen, and his sister, Katherine Pallay. He is survived by his brothers, Clifford and Richard; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends and associates.