WASHINGTON, CARL R.

Funeral services were held July 31 for Carl R. Washington, 86. He passed away July 23. The eldest of three children born to the late George and Lillian (nee Hankerson) Washington, Carl Raymond Washington was born on July 16, 1934, in Jersey City. Raised in Bayonne, Carl attended the Bayonne School System at Bayonne High School is where his considerable musical ability became readily apparent. Upon graduating from high school, he continued his music education and attended the renowned Manhattan School of Music in New York City, taking classes in piano performance, and taught himself to play the pipe organ. An avid music lover, Carl enjoyed an extensive variety of musical genres including jazz and opera as well as Negro Spirituals and anthems He frequently visited Abyssinian Baptist Church and Riverside Church in New York City for their music and arts programs. Eventually becoming a full-time church musician, Carl played for a number of local churches throughout his career including Friendship Baptist Church and Wallace Temple AME Zion Church, both in Bayonne, as well as Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Jersey City where he was a member and served as their musician for 60 years. He also provided musical accompaniment at memorial services for Murray’s Funeral Home in Jersey City for decades. In addition to his love of music, Carl had a passion for good food, fine dining and shopping. Predeceased by his parents, brother, Eugene Washington, and nephew, Kenneth Washington, he is survived by his sister, Marlyn Allen; sister-in-law, Frances Washington; nephews, Todd Allen and Raymond Washington; 2 Grandnephews and a host of relatives and friends. Services arranged by the Jackson Funeral Residence of Jersey City.