Vincent Ferrizzi

Vincent Ferrizzi, 75, of Pottsville, died Tuesday evening at Golden Living Center-York Terrace.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Sabato and Ann DiBlasio Ferrizzi.

A lifelong musician, he started taking piano lessons when he was 8 years old, and by age 10, his teachers labeled him as a prodigy. At age 10, in 1949, he appeared on the Philadelphia Children's Hour show, first doing a skit from Gene Kelly's movie "Anchors Away," where Gene dances with Jerry Mouse. He also sang and danced with Annette Funicello. He was a Mummer in his teens playing the accordion, mandolin, trombone and saxophone.

He attended Muriel Dobbins Technical School and studied typesetting and printing.

He was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.

In 1956, he was in his first band, playing parties and proms. He was also studying with a concert pianist who was a professor at a Philadelphia college. In 1957, he started his musical career, first playing in Wildwood and then locations in Philadelphia. In 1958, he started Vinnie Rome and The Rainbeaus with Ritchie and Justin Bruno, Ron Vitello, Don Danielli and Tony Seferetti. They performed throughout the country and in the summer of 1959, they appeared on American Bandstand performing their song "Crazy Mazie." They also appeared on the Grady Hurst Show in New York and other rock 'n' roll shows at the time.

He also performed with the Swingtones, which included Ron Vitello, Jose Smith and his Cha Cha Boys, the Mike Mandrell Trio and, in the '70s and '80s, with the Vinnie Rome Trio, which included accomplished drummer, Charlie Parker. His female singers were Carolyn Porter (she now goes by Porter Hansen), Wendy Simon and Denise Montana.

In the '80s, he went solo, performing at the Coach Inn, Pirates Inn, Sweetwater Casino, Luigi's, Limelight and Bacci Restaurant. Songs written and recorded by Vince include "By Love Possessed," "You Know My Baby," "Crazy Maizie," "Piggy Wiggy," "Come Home," "Bee-Bees Got New Dancin' Shoes," "Geraldine," "When Boy Meets Girl," "Down Yonder," "Leave it to Me" and an album, Vinnie Rome Trio at the Pirates Inn.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Roland, Samuel, Eugene and Ralph; and sisters, Viola Paslowski, Marienne Vassallo, Rosemarie Padulese, Anna Mancuso, Eleanor and Elizabeth, who died at birth.

Survivors include a daughter, Diana Kull, Saint Clair; a son, Vincent Ferrizzi Jr., Newfane, Vt.; two brothers, Phillip and his wife, Hilicias Ruth, Bally, and Carl, Warminster; a sister, Dottie Lanzetta, Philadelphia; grandchildren, Cassandra, Garrett, Steven, Vincenzo and Joshua; three great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick Church, celebrated by Monsignor Edward O'Connor. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Interment will be private. David D. Jarrett Funeral Home, Mahanoy City, is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.jarrettfuneralhome.com for more information.

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