Obituary of Johnny Dee

Johnny Dee, 87, of Short Hills and Palm City, Fla., succumbed suddenly on Saturday, June 23, 2007, in St. Barnabas Medical Center, after a tragic accident at his home. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave., Short Hills, on Thursday, June 28, at 11:15 a.m. Interment is at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Visitation will be held at the Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Ave., Maplewood, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. For more information or to send condolences, please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com. Born in Lyndhurst, Johnny was the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Damiani. He was predeceased by his parents, and brothers, Dominic and Joseph Damiani, and his sister, Mildred Damiani. Johnny was a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, New York City, before serving in the United States Army during World War II. In the Army, he played with the Glen Miller Band. His career as a musician was diverse, and he performed on clarinet and saxophone with Jimmy Dorseys and Benny Goodmans Big Bands. Johnny continued his career and was the general manager of the Essex House, Newark. Completing his career, he was the owner and operator of The Chanticlair in Short Hills for 33 years. He was also an owner and member of the Brooklake Country Club, Florham Park. He is survived by his beloved wife, Eileen Smith Dee; devoted father of Diane Van Vliet and her husband, Bruce, of Rumson, Edmund Cavanaugh of Short Hills and Robert C. Cavanaugh and companion, Margaret, of Palm City, Fla.; dear brother of Rose Astrella and Ann Duffy; loving grandfather of Frank J. Semcer Jr. and his wife, Melissa, of Tewksbury, Paige McCann and her husband, David, of Fair Haven, Brian Semcer and his wife, Christine, of New York City, Stacy Cavanaugh of San Francisco, Calif., and Robert Cavanaugh of New York; also survived by six great-grandchildren. The best love of his life was his wife, Eileen, whom he cherished and adored. Together, they were everything.