Michael Masciola

Michael R. Masciola VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Musician Michael R. Masciola died due to complications related to pneumonia Nov. 14, 2009, at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Mike Masciola was born in 1925, in McKees Rocks, Pa., the second of 10 children of Angeline and Palmer Masciola. He joined the Navy in 1943. Throughout his 31-year naval career, he mentored and taught service men and women to play various wind instruments including saxophone, clarinet, and trumpet. He was an accomplished musician and finished his naval career as a rehearsal conductor at the Armed Forces School of Music, Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, the largest of its kind in the world. He served in both World War II and the Korean War and retired from the Navy in 1974. After his retirement from the Navy, Masciola volunteered at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, was a little league coach, and continued to teach music to students of all ages. He restored old instruments and worked for Boykins Music, delivering instruments to area school children. He also played tenor sax for a 5-piece musical combo called the Commodores, and played in other area bands for many years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from St. Leo College in 1974, and was a life member of the Navy Musicians Association. Mike Masciola is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean E. Masciola of Virginia Beach; three sons, Michael Masciola of Las Vegas, Nev., Anthony Masciola of Virginia Beach, and Robert Masciola of Silver Spring, Md.; two grandsons, Christopher Masciola and Ryan Masciola; one great-grandson; four sisters; and two brothers. A memorial service will be held in McKees Rocks in January. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, https://support. pdf.org. Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.woodlawngroup.com.