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Rico A. Turchetti Sr.

Rico Turchetti Obituary

TURCHETTI, RICO, Sr. a retired entertainer, of SMITHFIELD, died Monday. He was the huband of the late Susan (Grohowski) Turchetti and Josephine (Regine) Turchetti.

He was a WWII Army veteran. He invented the ultra sonic steel guitar. He was a CBS television star and played the steel guitar on the former Arthur Godfrey Show. He was an RCA recording artist, a lifelong member of the Providence Federation of Musicians and played with the Ralph Stuart Orchestra for over 40 years.

He is survived by Judy Boylan, Teri Mattera and Callie, Robert, Rico Jr., Christopher and Albert Turchetti, 10 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Father of the late Joan Martineau, and brother of the late Cora Bishop, Mary Siravo, Helen Caputo, Frank, and John Turchetti.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 9:30 A.M. in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Visitation Thursday 6-8 P.M. in ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Greenville Common, Greenville. Visit www.andersonwinfield.net

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Providence Journal on Jan. 27, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Rico Turchetti

Sponsored by Chris Turchetti.

15 Entries

Don Godwin

December 26, 2009

I finally recalled the name of that wonderful multipedal steel Rico played on Wednesdays with Arthur Godfrey show. Was like Arthur, totally amazed at his work. Probably got me from big band sounds to so many guitars and now, violin. Will never forget his humility while producing such wonderful music. Thank You Rico

Manuel Escobar

March 21, 2005

I have always wanted to see Rico just once. He had taught people

I knew how to play steel. It would upset me to hear someone I knew saw Rico and I missed him. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Herb Steiner

March 20, 2005

I am sorry to hear of the passing of Rico. Years ago I was told of this great musician by another excellent steel guitarist from Rhode Island, Billy Marshall. Billy often spoke of the influence Rico had on his desire to play steel guitar. Sadly, Billy is also deceased. I hope this patriarch of your family is making music with the Angelic Orchestra. My condolences to the entire Turchetti family.

Bob Maickel

March 20, 2005

I was in the TV viewing audience of the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts broadcast of 1951. Rico was a great influence on my taking up the steel guitar, which I did in 1953. My mentor was Jody Carver an excellent steel guitarist who also won the Godfrey Talent Scouts broadcast several years later. I still have in my collection the 78 rpm RCA recording of Rico Turchetti playing "There's A Small Hotel" as well as an audio recording of his later performance on the Dumont TV Show with Dennis James as host. Rico was a great musician, and an excellent steel guitarist. I would hope that the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame (where I serve as a board member) will induct Rico posthumously.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends. He was a treasure and I wish I could have met him just once. I will always remember Rico Turchetti for what he did for me and for the steel guitar.

Sincrely and with deep regret,

Bob Maickel

President

The Pedal Steel Guitar Association Inc.

Bob Lombardo

March 20, 2005

I was a student of Rico Tuchetti in the middle 40's when I was 12 years old. Having started on the lap steel guitar and then seeing what the pedals could do for the instrument, I was enthralled by the beautiful chords that could be played and the big difference that it made on the steel guitar. I continued playing the original model that he designed until 1996 when I made the leap to the current models. I always looked up to Rico Turchetti as a marvelous musician and pedal steel guitarist and a great teacher. He did so much for the instrument for many generations to come. Thanks to Rico Turchetti I am still playing my pedal steel guitar and enjoying it more and more. His loss is a big loss for the pedal steel guitar enthusiasts and the music industry as a whole.

Michelle Gallagher (Turchetti)

February 24, 2005

I will always remember holidays, the huge light up santa : ), papa's smile and the ongoing jokes. I will remember small things like us creating a whirl-pool in the swimming pool, playing games, and going to watch him play with his band. His house was filled with music and noise, food and good times. He will be sadly missed and always loved - for the hard working man that he was and for the fun memories he created. We love you Papa!! xoxoxo

Toni Quinn (Formerly Turchetti)

February 15, 2005

I will always Papa and the Happy Holidays we spent together as a family. He always said that his nose was a result of my always pulling on it..his smile and his laugh will be missed dearly.

Promotional Photos Like This Explain How They Stole His Ideas For Building This Guitar And Patented It Before He Did !!!!

February 6, 2005

Smile ,don't be nervous ,ignore the camera ,millions of people watching...

Chris Turchetti

February 6, 2005

This is Dad on the Arthur Godfrey Show!!

Debra Bishop

February 3, 2005

I remember Uncle Rico as a dashing, charming man who was always happy. I felt wonderful in his presence, and am very proud of him. I know he's with the rest of his family having a great time in Heaven. My thoughts are with you, Uncle, and my family in Rhode Island. - Debra Bishop

Paul DePetrillo

February 2, 2005

Deepest sympathys, we will pray for Rico. Paul and LuAnne DePetrillo (son and daughter-in-law of Frank DePetrillo, cousin to Rico). Our children are Allyson, Nicholas and Caroline.

larry depetrillo

January 31, 2005

RICO'S COUSIN, MY FATHER FRANK DEPETRILLO, HAS HAD THE VIOLIN ALL TUNED FOR A LONG TIME WAITING FOR A MASTER MUSICIAN TO DO A GIG WITH.

THE DEPETRILLO FAMILY EXTENDS THEIR

DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE TURCHETTI AND ALLIED FAMILIES.

Stephen Hagopian

January 27, 2005

He was a second father to me and a great one at that. A serious loss to Music. I will never forget him.

Christopher Turchetti

January 27, 2005

A musicians musician and yes,you read it right,he IS the actual inventor of the pedal steel ultra sonic guitar,he just didn't get a patent on his ideas,but he and his brother Albert built this guitar through the ideas in my Fathers brain.Those old pictures show the toilet chains that were used by them to pull on the strings.

Thanx to all that went to pay their last respects and to those that couldn't make it - He loved every one of you . Family ,Friends ,Fellow Musicians :

Discharged from Earth ,

An incredible loss ,

Hired by the ultimate boss ,

Up above,he got the nod ,

Now he plays his guitar for God.

-Christopher Turchetti --