Joseph C. Crupi

I sang in the chorus from 1964-66 in high school - but thanks to Joe Crupi, I met my future wife! After college, Joe happened to meet me in the grocery store. He needed a baritone soloist for an upcoming opera concert, and enlisted me on the spot. My future wife was also a soloist for the same concert and the rest is history. Joe was a great choral director - in high school and beyond - and a great person. We will never forget him.

Well, leave it to me to be one of the last persons to sign this guestbook. My thanks to the anonymous person for keeping this Web site active long enough to allow absurdly late folks like me the opportunity to express my deepest sympathy to the family and my sincerest admiration for Mr. Joseph C. Crupi. My older sisters, who graduated from Horseheads in 1966 & 1968, sang in his choirs. Even back then, Mr. Crupi made recordings of his groups. I’d spend countless hours in my bedroom singing...

I wanted to take a moment share our deepest sympathies but to also thank you all for your influence and Joe's exuberant inspiration throughout the years. There is not a day that your positive influence is not felt in Orla’s and my life.

Growing up I consider myself extremely lucky to know you all, including Joe. He ensured that I have and do appreciate the who'sywhatsits of life. He taught me so much more than music. His ability to enjoy life, family and time with friends is...

Dear Pat, JoJo, and your family,

First of all thank you for your friendship, guidance and fun from me and my entire family. I was honored to be able to meet you and Joe on my very first day of my summer job at the Chautauqua Amphitheater crew. I was completely overwhelmed, excited and scared at 14, to be working in such a place, and I was lucky enough to meet Pat and Joe upstairs after choir practice and they quickly became friends of me, my little brother Seamus, and my mother...

I was lucky. Mr. C. was "just the Music Minister at my church". The international presence he had created, the influence he had on high school students, the entertainment he had created for an entire community--was unknown for me. I sang with him on Wednesday nights, that was all. He was just a very friendly, albeit talented member of "my church". How funny that is isn't until after you leave an area that you realize the impact others have made. I still have pictures of Chuck Mangione when he...

My sincere condolences to Mrs. Crupi, Mark and Jojo. You must have those memories of him that are so vivid and real, you have the sensation in your body as if the moment is happening right now. Here is mine: I'm 7 or 8 years old, sitting cross-legged on the hard floor of my elementary school gymnasium, looking up at Mr. Crupi conducting the Chamber Singers, completely enthralled. Full of magic and wonder. Knowing from that moment that I want to be part of that someday, and to create that...

It was fate that I opened a newspaper in Rochester, NY while visiting my Mom and learned of Mr. Crupi passing away. Like many have written, I have a hard time singing in choirs (yes, still singing thanks to Joe) without thinking of his teachings. I have a daughter that is doing her student teaching next Fall to be a music teacher and I frequently share stories of my time in Chamber Singers. My thoughts and prayers go to the entire Crupi familiy.

Hi everyone this is JoJo Crupi and I have been reading all of these e-mails. You have said such wonderful words about my father. It really is great to read all of them. I did have a great dad and it was so cool that he gave you all so much joy. I now teach music but to Primary school kids and everyday something comes out of my mouth just like my dad would say. He even has composed music for my second grade choirs and then he would come up and play the piano on concert night. They...

Dear Mrs. C & Family,

I am very sorry to hear of Mr. C's passing. He brought joy to all that he did and made you want to do your very best for him.