(02/22/15) Lincoln – A name synonymous with the accordion, Tulio Gasperini passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015, at the age of 92. He was the beloved husband of Dolores (Brogi) Gasperini for 66 years and resided in Lincoln for 61 years. Tulio was recognized nationally as a virtuoso artist with a highly personal style, as well as an accomplished composer and educator of classical music. His success stemmed from a lifetime of driving passion devoted to the study of all phases of music and the mastery of the accordion. Born in Pawtucket, RI to Guerrino and Teresa (Eusebi) Gasperini, it was at age 3 that Tulio became mesmerized by his first sighting of an accordion. From then on, he was determined to play the accordion and taught himself to do so at age 4, followed by piano lessons until a reputable accordion teacher could be identified. Considered a prodigy, Tulio soon became the headliner at many theatre grand openings throughout New England and, by age 6, was featured regularly on WJAR radio from the former Outlet Company’s Providence headquarters. In 1938, he came in second place to opera singer Maria Callas on the nationally-syndicated Major Bowes Amateur Hour, American radio\\’s best-known talent show, which was broadcasted from NY’s Chrysler Building. In addition to leading his trio to first place at the 1939 NY World’s Fair, Tulio became U.S. champion when he was awarded First Prize National Soloist at the 1941 American Accordion Association (AAA) competition in NY. Subsequently, Tulio was a featured soloist with many society orchestras, such as Don Mario, Ralph Stuart and Byron York, and then attended Boston University — though his studies were interrupted by WWII. From 1943 – 1946, Tulio served in the U.S. Army and studied at the University of Minnesota and was honored to be inducted into the U.S. Military Intelligence Service to study Japanese at the University of Michigan in preparation for his dispatch to Japan. Fortunately, the War ended and he returned to Boston University and graduated in 1946 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition that led to one of his masterpieces, “Symphony Tune-Up,” which won national recognition as one of the most original pieces published for the accordion. Hailed as “a living legend” by former Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci, Tulio established Gasperini Music in his hometown of Pawtucket in 1948. For almost 40 years. Gasperini Music was revered throughout New England for providing weekly music education to more than 500 students — for all types of musical instruments — as well as a retailer and wholesaler of such instruments. Tulio produced many U.S. champions, one Coupe Mondiale champion (an international competition for accordionists) who placed fourth in the world, as well as a 12-year-old student who performed at The White House for President and Mrs. Clinton. He was a member of AAA, charter member of the Accordion Teachers Association of MA, and founder and president of the Accordion Teachers Association of RI (ATARI). It was through his perseverance and leadership of ATARI that the accordion became accepted as a major course of study at Rhode Island College; Tulio joined the faculty and taught music theory and harmony to advanced students. Besides his loving wife, he leaves a son, Tulio G. Gasperini of Lincoln; daughters, the late Holly D. Gasperini of Sarasota, FL and Gail Gasperini of Boston; “adopted” son, Neal P. Roderick of Lincoln; brother, Orlando A. Gasperini and sister-in-law, the late Carmela Gasperini, of Lincoln; nephew Orlando W. Gasperini of Lincoln; grandchildren, Zachary P. Monroe and April B. Monroe of Boston. Visitation will be at the WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. His funeral, with Military Honors, will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to either the Alzheimer\\’s Association (RI Chapter), 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906, or to The Cancer Center of Memorial Hospital, 111 Brewster Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, will be most appreciated. TRIPPFUNERALHOME.com
↧