Gene Passarella came home from World War II and entertained Northeast Pennsylvania with his music for seven decades.
The founder of the Gene Dempsey Orchestra died Saturday, days shy of his 101st birthday.
WVIA News profiled Passarella in September 2024, and NPR aired the story two months later on Veteran’s Day, bringing national attention to his life and music.
The community and orchestra celebrated Passarella’s 100th birthday at a concert in Nay Aug Park last summer.
He died at the Gino J. Merli Veterans Center, where he had lived since last year. He is survived by his wife of nearly 74 years, the former Louise Colangelo; daughter Cathy Van Nort; and two grandsons.
His funeral is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Cathedral Cemetery. Family and friends may pay their respects Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Solfanelli-Fiorillo Funeral Home Inc., 1030 N. Main Ave., Scranton.
