John Pellegrino, a loving musician, teacher, brother, husband, father, friend, grandfather, and uncle died January 24th 2021 at his home in Fort Myers FL, surrounded by his caregiver and friends.
Born March 23, 1930 to Mary and Gerardo Pellegrino of Johnston, RI, John was the eldest of three children: his brothers: Alfred R. (Sandra) of Ft. Myers FL and Gerard (Carol) of Warwick, RI. John married Alice Kays on November 23, 1961. They enjoyed a 56 year marriage until her death in 2017.
John graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in Providence RI, Boston Conservatory of Music, and The University of Miami at Coral Gables. He also began a doctorate at Yale. John was a music educator in the Portland, ME public schools as well as in Coventry, RI before becoming the trumpet professor at Rhode Island College until his retirement in 2003. In addition to being a music educator, John served as Principal Trumpet in the Rhode Island Philharmonic for nearly two decades. John was also a featured soloist with numerous groups throughout New England, but he truly dedicated his life towards educating young trumpet players and raising his family, including his only grandson, Ian. In retirement John and Alice enjoyed plenty of travel, time with family, gardening (not a summer would go by without his yard being filled with fresh vegetables), attending concerts and serving as president of the board for Music on the Hill. After enjoying many winters in southwest FL, John and Alice moved to Ft. Myers. While living in Florida John enjoyed a very active social life, attended multiple concert series, became a member of the New Horizons Concert Band, built bocce courts and started a bocce league at Coach Light Manor, and loved attending services at the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs.
John is survived by his daughter Lisa, her husband Kevin and son, Ian Conway of Coventry RI, his son John Mark Pellegrino of Columbus, OH and his brothers and their families.
A memorial concert honoring John Pellegrino is being planned for Memorial Day weekend. For details, please check http://www.musiconthehilri.org. In lieu of flowers, we welcome donations in his memory to Music on the Hill, PO Box 633, East Greenwich, RI 02818-0633
