Domenic John Pirone

1/7/2011

Hillsborough
Formerly of Bound Brook

Domenic J. Pirone died peacefully early Friday morning, January 7th surrounded by his loving son and grandsons. The devoted husband of the late Lida Pirone and the loving father of Carmine and the late Leonard Pirone. He is also survived by his grandsons Steven, Neil and Domenic, with their mother Laura and his sisters Rose Cianfrone and Mary Buono and brother Raymond Pirone and sisters in-law Helen Pirone, Olga Pirone, Veronica Pirone and Judith Pirone.

Domenic was a highly decorated veteran of the US Naval Forces in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He graduatedcum laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University and his Masters degree from Columbia University.

Domenic served at the Head of the Fine Arts Department for The Middlesex School District, as well as being the High School Band Director for 35 years. His gift of music lives on by the many students, so enriched by his gentle nurturing way. He was a true mentor, and enjoyed being a professional trumpet player and orchestra leader.

Friends may call on from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Monday January 10th at the Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Ave., Somerville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday January 11th at 9:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, 35 Mountain Ave., Somerville. Followed by a cemetery service at St. Joseph Cemetery, Chimney Rock Rd., Bridgewater.

6 Comments

Jane Nebb Kearney

1/8/2011 11:57:08 am

I am so saddened by the passing of a very special and inspirational person in my life. I was in the MHS concert and marching band from 1967 - 1971 and the memories I have of those days often still come to mind. There was never a more dedicated and influential teacher. My deepest condolences to all his family. - Jane Nebb Kearney

Glen Phillips

1/9/2011 12:21:13 am

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of a very special person who inspired many. I was in the MHS Band from 1976-1980 and was fortunate to have Domenic for 2 of those years. He was also my private teacher and helped prepare me for my career in music. I have so many wonderful memories that still are very fresh after all these years. My deepest sympathy and condolences to all of the family. His life was a blessing to all. Glen Phillips

Linda Lyon Rotondo

1/9/2011 05:30:56 am

How very sad it is that such a great person has passed. I too was in the MHS concert and marching band from 1967-1971 and have such fond memories of those years because of Mr. Pirone. He truly cared about all his students. My deepest sympathy to all of his family.
Linda Lyon Rotondo

Vic Capolunghi

1/9/2011 06:52:36 am

Mr. Pirone was a band director who rarely gave up any of his students. I was one of them. He was going to let me go, but instead, he patiently worked with me in summer band at Central School (now Mauger) and I managed to stay on with the MHS band until I graduated in 1963.

Two years later, I was inducted into the US Army during the Vietnam era. After learning that I played French horn in the MHS band, an Army bandsman asked me to audition for the US Army Band at Fort Dix, NJ.

Three months afterwards, I was in the Band, playing with some of the greatest musicians, including Grover Washington Jr.

Six months later, I was assigned to the 49th Army Band in Vicenza, Italy, where we toured the entire country for more than a year. I sent Mr. Pirone a postcard. He later told me he was very happy that I did well. I was always grateful to him for keeping me in the his band, and not giving up on me. It was a turning point in my life.

Vic Capolunghi

Miriam Lynn Nelson

10/7/2016 02:38:48 am

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there were five amazing brothers. The oldest, Domenic, became Band Director of the Middlesex High School Band in Middlesex, New Jersey. The youngest, Jack, became Band Director of the 375 member National Championship Franklin High School Golden Warrior Dynamite Band, in Somerset, New Jersey. The brothers, who loved and admired each other and their students, had great fun challenging and competing with each other, proudly taking their bands to competitive and show events like the Home News Band Festival in New Brunswick, New Jersey, performances at pro-halftime and national shows and competitions. Often when instruments were needed or repaired, they were taken to the third brother, Ray, who operated Ray's Musicland. The inspiration and example these men exhibited and specially shared with so many of us will be remembered and treasured forever. I was privileged to be one of the recipients of Jack's inspiration as a member of the Franklin ensemble for 4 years, and at Jack's invitation, assisted and taught for two years after I graduated. Jack directed the Summer Band Camp and School that so many of us also attended for many years, and I subsequently taught for him there for many years after graduation, while in college. As a direct result of Jack, I became a professional performing artist. A few years before Jack passed, I gave a solo recital in the Bridgewater Library, As I was coming off the stage, a man walked up to me with flowers and hugs. It was Jack :) He lived in Bridgewater, at that time, on Foothill Road. This was the last time I saw him. Thank you forever. May they all rest in peace and I pray we will all be together again someday.

Vic Capolunghi

4/16/2017 08:52:55 pm

I remember Jack Pirone, as I played in his Middlesex Borough Civic Band in the early 1960's. Our most notable event was marching in the South Plainfield Labor Day Parade. In the first year I played French Horn. Later, in the following year, he asked me to play the Bass Drum, as there were no drummers available in the band that year! That was my last performance in that group. The last time I saw him, I had been discharged from the US Army. He was at my cousin's wedding and we briefly exchanged greetings. He remembered me immediately, after all those years. The Pirones' were amazing people, when it came to music.

Domenic John Pirone

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