Bill LaVorgna Obituary

BILL LAVORGNA Bill LaVorgna, 74, passed away on Tuesday, July 31,2007 after suffering a heart attack while walking his dog on Saturday, July 28th at his home in Stuart. Born in Paterson, NJ on June 3, 1933, he was an accomplished musician, drummer, and musical director for Liza Minnelli for the past 32 years. Bill spent over six decades performing with musical greats from Judy Garland to Dizzy Gillespie in worldwide venues. A Korean war veteran, he attended schools in New Jersey and held degrees in music and education from New York University. Before moving to Florida, he made his residence in Princess Anne, MD for 20 years. Prior to that, the family lived in Walton, NY and Sussex, NJ. Aside from his musical passion, Bill was also an avid sportsman with a love of the outdoors and most especially deep sea fishing. The family raised and trained sporting dogs for decades on their Windswept Farm. Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan, his three sons ( Mark, Blaise, and David) of Maryland, and six grand-daughters. Memorial contributions may be made to either The Salvation Army or The Recreational Fishing Alliance ( PO Box 3080, New Gretna , NJ 08224). Services : A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 12th at 2:00 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury, MD for friends and family.

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Published by TC Palm on Aug. 2, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Bill LaVorgna

14 Entries

Wolfen

August 17, 2007

We will all hear your Drums again Pappy, when we hear the Thunder. You are a Spirit of the Sky!

Louise Michelle Scott

August 16, 2007

I will sadly miss such a wonderful and talented man, a kind soul and a truly well loved person. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Pappy, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless. Louise Michelle Scott

Gary Smiler

August 15, 2007

You are and always will be a genius musician. I will never listen to the Judy At Carnegie Hll Overture without thinking of you during the drums segment. Liza was lucky to have you as well and so were all of us now GO and JAM BABY with GOD in his sweet heaven. My sympathies to the family and friends

Bradly Briggs

August 15, 2007

My thoughts and best wishes are with Pappy's family at this time...it was always wonderful seeing Mr. LaVorgna at Liza concerts over the past thirty-five years and the great pride to which Liza always introduced Mr. Bill LaLorgna with spoke volumes.

Christopher Vitaioli

August 14, 2007

I will miss seeing Bill at her concerts and on dvd's. God Bless his family through this difficult time. Chris Vitaioli-Chicagio, Il.

Tina Cruz

August 13, 2007

Mr. LaVorgna was truely a magnificant musician from which other musicians young and old could learn a thing or two. He will be missed...

Bryan Hendryx

August 13, 2007

What a sweet, blessed man. I met "Pappy" in 1979, Houston, Texas, the first time I ever saw Liza in concert. He was simply charming, and had a ready big ol' hug for a picture. I'm sure Heaven is having one heck of a jam session going on...Love and the best of thoughts and prayers to All.

Angie & Louise Ross

August 12, 2007

We would like to send our love to all of you. We were very honored to have met "Pappy" before Liza's show, here in Sarasota, Fl. He spent a long time chatting to the both of us about his love of fishing and his boat. We have watched him perform so many times with Liza and he was an amazing man to watch. He will always be in our thoughts and prayers. He will truly be missed. God Bless All of You..Angie & Louise

Rosalie Geller-Byrne

August 7, 2007

My husband and I met your dad when he was on tour in Seattle (1982). He was so talented, delightful, filled with love for his family. I feel as if I know you through his stories about you. My deepest condolences to you. Rosalie Geller-Byrne (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

Linnea Sauter

August 7, 2007

Blaise,
Your Dad was king on the throne, but his true legacy is the love and loyalty of his precious family. He was so proud of you! My heart goes out to Joan, to you and your brothers, and to the girls. I will be with you in spirit on the 12th as you celebrate his life.
Peace and love always,
Linnea

Pattie

August 4, 2007

My condolences to Pappy's family. He was a wonderful guy. Only met him once but his warmth and charm left me with a peaceful feeling. He will be missed, but now when I hear thunder...will think of Pappy playing in heaven.

Darlene Pallotta

August 3, 2007

Joan, Mark, Blaise and David.
My deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all the beautiful memories at the farm in Sussex growing up. "Uncle" Bill was the greatest and I will never forget him. I am sure he is in Heaven and maybe playing drums with my brother.

Jack Okeeffe

August 2, 2007

His passion for fishing was almost as great as his passion for music. I will miss his fishing stories and tales from his entertainment career.

Karen Sylvia

August 1, 2007

Mr. LaVorgna was a patient in our practice and was a very special man. I will miss him tremendously. He always had a smile on his face and was a pleasure to be with. He will truely be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sorrowful time.

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