Warren A. Helms, age 58, of West Milford, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. His loving wife, Andrea, was at his side.

Warren was born to Warren H. and Antoinette Helms (nee Vitetta) in Paterson, NJ, in 1961. Warren lived all over New Jersey throughout his life, including Saddle Brook, Fair Lawn, Mount Olive, Boonton, Mount Tabor, and Pompton Lakes before moving to West Milford about two years ago.

He attended Morris Catholic High School where he was a member of the Instrumental Music Program and played trombone. He graduated from Mount Olive High School with the Class of 1979 where he was Drum Major for the Marching Band. Warren attended County College of Morris and William Paterson University where he received his Bachelors of Music Education. He received a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he attained his Master’s Degree.

Warren’s musical career began with performances in local venues such as Lovey’s Showcase in Cranberry Lake, NJ. Two months after graduating from Manhattan School of Music he was hired to be part of their accompanying faculty. He soon began teaching at The Juilliard School as well. Warren was passionate about teaching and worked at Kinnelon High School, followed by many years at William Paterson University in Wayne, and Caldwell University in Caldwell. He served at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne from 1998-2019, first as the Choir Accompanist and then as Director of Music and Liturgy. Most recently, he served as Minister of Music at of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta. Notably close to his heart were his years with the IHM Church Choir, his work at Plays in the Park in Edison, NJ, and the Coro Lirico choral group, based in Madison, NJ.

Warren was a virtuoso pianist who worked on- and off- Broadway for years. He accompanied legends such as Aretha Franklin and international stars like Susan Boyle, Clay Aiken, and the Irish Tenors. He appeared on The Today Show and The View, as well as at Lincoln Center. In 2015, he worked with Broadway legend Hal Prince.

Warren met the love of his life, Andrea (nee Brown), at the Manhattan School of Music and they began dating in 1993. The two married on October 14, 1995 and honeymooned in Ireland, their favorite place in the world. Warren and Andrea enjoyed twenty-five years of loving and devoted marriage and had two beautiful daughters, Fiona and Julia, whom Warren adored.

Warren will be lovingly remembered as a giant in the New York/New Jersey music and theatre world, having played for some of the most talented (both known and unknown) as well as some of the most promising singers. He was kind, selfless, talented, compassionate, and a friend to everyone. It is often said, but could not be truer in Warren’s case: he was a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He loved his work deeply and was one of the hardest working people you could possibly meet. Warren had a robust laugh, a radiant smile, a great sense of humor, and an ability to make anyone feel important when he talked to them. For many years he has been a member of Cosmos Club, his beloved Italian-American social club, in Fair Lawn.

Warren is survived by his wife and daughters; his sisters, Diane Miller of Atlantic City, and Rosanna Fox (Michael) of Nashua, New Hampshire; his niece, Jennifer Battista (Brian), her sons Michael and Braedan; his niece and nephew Elizabeth and Matthew Fox; his mother-in-law, Kathy Brown; as well as many treasured family members, in-laws, friends, students, and fellow musicians and performers. He is predeceased by his cherished parents.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 3 – 7:15 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.

Due to Covid restrictions and the number of people anticipated that we ask you to please: wear a mask, maintain social distancing, greet the family in a timely fashion, and respect the 7:15 PM conclusion of the public visitation hours.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the upcoming Warren Helms Scholarship Fund, which is currently being established at William Paterson University. More information and details will be posted soon. Thank you.