Frank G. Cagliuso

1928 - 2016

Frank G. Cagliuso, age 87, husband of 57 years of Barbara (Stetson) Cagliuso, passed away on February 23rd. Frank was born and raised in Somerville. He resided in Marblehead for the last 54 years. He was the son of the late George and Elena (DeStefano) Cagliuso. In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Dara VanRemoortel and her husband Chris, and his son Gary F. Cagliuso, all of Marblehead. He also leaves two grandchildren, Anna and Craig VanRemoortel, a brother, George Cagliuso of Lexington and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Lisa, and his sisters Mary McCarthy and Florence Hoose. Frank was a veteran and served in the Universal Military Training Corp Army Band. Frank attended the Schillinger House in Boston (Berklee School of Music) in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He received his Masters of Education from Salem State College and graduated with a B.A. degree in music education from Lowell State Teachers College (UMass Lowell) in 1958. He taught music in Arlington and Lynnfield before becoming the Director of Music for the Burlington, MA public schools. He retired after a 24-year career in 1991. Throughout his life, Frank played saxophone and clarinet with various bands, Dave Rasmussen Jazz Orchestra, Bob Bachelder and his Totem Pole Orchestra, and Tony Bruno, Jr., among others. He was a master arranger, once arranging for Lionel Hampton, and played with Herb Pomeroy. He also led the Frank Brooks Orchestra. Frank met his wife Barbara when she was a vocalist with the Larry Valentine Orchestra. They married in 1958 and created a beautiful home on a quiet lane where they raised their three children. Frank enjoyed serving the Marblehead community, participating on the search committee to find a Music Director for the Marblehead schools, teaching music theory classes to middle schoolers, as well as giving private music lessons to dozens of students for many years. Frank also led a jazz band made up of retired musicians who played monthly at the JCC. Originally, the band played for the Insight Club, a support system for the visually impaired, but within the past two years, the monthly gig morphed into a program designed for all senior citizens to enjoy. Frank left his musical mark on many, and was an incredible source of inspiration and knowledge for his family, especially his grandchildren, and all who knew him. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford Street, Marblehead, on Saturday, March 5th, at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston or the Marblehead High School Band (checks payable to Town of Marblehead, MHS Band in memo line). Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead. Please visit the online guestbook for Frank at www.eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com.