By Jen Samuel. Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — Jacques “Doudou” Chancy was a musician who had taught at Grace Norton Rogers Elementary School since 2002.
Born May 11, 1959, Mr. Chancy died early Sunday morning while on stage in New York after suffering from a heart attack.
A Haitian-American artist, his music is available on Amazon including songs “Autumn Leaves” and “Cry for Love.”
Mr. Chancy’s unexpected Sept. 16 death caused shocked waves within the East Windsor Regional School District and in the music community.
The Herald had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Chancy in March to learn first hand his students’ reaction to a Haitian painter, Herold Alvares, born without arms, who visited Grace Rogers earlier this year. Principal Gayle Parker said earlier this week that Mr. Chancy was instrumental in bringing Mr. Alvares to Grace Rogers.
”It had such an great impact on our students,” Principal Parker said.
Mr. Chancy taught music to first- through fifth-graders.
Principal Parker said Mr. Chancy offered free music lessons to any student who earned straight As.
”He was really all about the children,” she said.
Yet, Mr. Chancy’s commitment to enriching children’s lives with music did not stop in Hightstown.
Principal Parker said that he was starting a school in Haiti and had brought instruments to the country for youngsters. She added that he did a lot of work in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, which devastated the county.
Grace Rogers has 60 teachers and approximately 700 students. Students were off from school on Monday and Tuesday and returned on Wednesday with grief management set up for children impacted by the loss of their beloved teacher.
Principal Parker said she met with the district’s crisis management team on Sept. 18.
Principal Parker said, “He was an incredible person who is going to be sorely missed.”
On Wednesday, the school’s traditional Morning Meeting was set aside to share fond memories of Mr. Chancy. A statement to students about death in development appropriate ways was also slated.
Additionally, on Wednesday night, during the school’s Back-to-School open House, Mr. Chancy was given a round of applause in his honor.
To help students adjust this week, Principal Parker arranged for the “familiar face” of recently retired teacher Cheryl Staff to teach students music in lieu of Mr. Chancy’s absence. Ms. Staff previously taught at Grace Rogers for 25 years.
Musical
legacy
Mr. Chancy was a district bus driver for seven years before joining Grace Rogers as its music teacher. He completed his student teaching at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School.
”It is with great sadness that RockMasters Entertainment announces to the community the sudden and untimely passing of the great saxophonist and pure gentleman Mr. Jacques ‘Doudou’ Chancy, the younger brother of Georges Loubert Chancy, the legendary saxophonist of Skah-Shah,” read a joint statement from RockMasters Entertainment CEO Jean Claude Elie and Vice President Marline Mith Elie.
Jacques was a member of the group Impresyon.
The statement said, “Doudou left us doing what he loves to do, and with his saxophone mouthpiece still between his lips.”
Local
memories
Said Lauren Kim, of Hightstown, “Mr. Chancy was a top-notch teacher who loved music and truly made his classes fun for the kids with his energetic, uplifting personality and his dedication and enthusiasm for his students. He always had a kind word for my daughters when we would see him at school events. I know my daughters will miss him very much.”
”Words cannot describe the enthusiasm for life and love of music that Mr. Chancy had,” said Lora Inglisa, an East Windsor and Special Education teacher at Hightstown High School.
”He was an inspiration to his students,” Ms. Inglisa said.
”Mr. Chancy was one of the kindest, funniest people I have ever had the honor or meeting,” said Laura Failla, of East Windsor. “He will truly be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him,” Ms. Failla said.
”For the years we have been at GNR, Mr. Chancy has been a great supporter of the children,” said Maria Shull-Parkhurst of East Windsor. “The little things I notice is that he said ‘Hello’ to each student by their first names. He was a genuine human being.”
”He always made me laugh and smile,” said Jason Licht, 7, of East Windsor. “I’m so sad. I was looking forward to seeing him in school this week.”
Jason’s brother, Ryan Licht, 11, of East Windsor, said he was working on a book with Mr. Chancy.
”He was writing a book called ‘Music Math,’ and he knew how much I like both subjects, and that I was going to help him and be in his book,” said Ryan. “I guess he won’t get to write that book; maybe I will be able to do it for him.”
”Mr. Chancy was a true mentor to my son, one of the fabulous teachers that make GNR wonderful,” said parent Stacey Licht of East Windsor. “I am devastated by his death, and our loss.”
She continued, “All who knew Mr. Chancy will agree, the absence of his smile, his music, and his love will leave a big hole in the heart of our community,” Ms. Inglisa said.
In his
words
Mr. Chancy told the Herald on March 21, “Music and art in general are the only disciplines that give freedom of expression with not limitations to anyone. In sport, when rules are violated, there are consequences; contrary to music and art, when rules are violated, it is called innovation.”
The saxophonist continued, “I always tell my students that success is all about choice and perseverance. Anyone can accomplish anything if they are ready to face the challenges. But this cannot happen without a good education that is to the mind what light is to the eyes.”
— Amy Batista, special writer, contributed to this report.

