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JOSEPH "JOE" SGRO

FUNERAL HOME

Baldi Funeral Home - Philadelphia

1331 S. Broad Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

JOSEPH SGRO Obituary

SGRO

JOSEPH "JOE", July 15, 2012, age 94. Husband of the late Mary (nee Kaiser). Survived by brother Angelo Sgro, Angelina DeGregorio, Carmella (George) Hemouth; also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews. He will be sadly missed by countless friends and a host of spiritual children. He will be especially missed by his surrogate children, Jerry and Joyce Lemons. A Memorial Service will be held Sat. July 28, 2012, 12 P.M. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1237 Federal St., Phila., PA 19147, ph: 215-334-4980. Please omit flowers. There will be a private interment at Valley Forge Mem. Park at a later date.

www.baldifuneralhome.com

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News from Jul. 22 to Jul. 23, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH SGRO

12 Entries

Jerry Christopher

July 16, 2025

My last lesson with Joe was in the late 60's and today I still practice the lessons that I learned with Joe. I have been living and performing in New Orleans for most of my adult life but I don't think that it would of happened without Joe. Recently I watched a YouTube video of Joe talking about some of his ideas. Even now I am still learning from the Master .

Jon Dichter

May 15, 2021

More than guitar technique and virtuosity, my Monday lessons with Joe Sgro in the
Mid 1980’s was about human kindness. His smile and willingness to give all that he had was infectious. In the highly competitive world of the music industry, he taught me to balance what was in my heart with what was in my fingers and my mind. Joe was simply the best.
-Jon Dichter

Sonny Troy

July 23, 2019

Still and will always be my beloved teacher, I think of you every day with loving memories, Sonny Troy(Gagliardi)

Jerry Christopher

July 16, 2019

Amazing, It has been 50 years since my last lesson with Joe, to this day I cannot pick up my guitar to practice or perform without thinking of Joe. I am reminded of the proper way to hold the guitar and I still practice his finger exercises, scales, arpeggios and chord scales. No teacher that I have ever met is more effective in getting his message across to his students. Without Joe I do not believe I could have had a career as a guitarist.

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Jerry Christopher Sr.

June 26, 2013

Joe was my guitar teacher in the late sixties. I studied with him for several years and as result of my time spent with him I went on to make my living as a professional guitarist and I am still at it today. I was always amazed how he could get so much out of his students and how many went on to be world class player.

July 30, 2012

I studied with Joe back in the mid-70's, and will be forever influenced--and humbled--by his virtuosity, his passion for music, and his kindness. He was truly a special person, not just for his astounding musicianship but also for the unique and gentle way he communicated with his students.
I remember seeing the great Pat Martino in concert a few years ago and got a chance to meet him backstage. When I mentioned Joe Sgro, Pat's face lit up with a huge smile and he spent the next several minutes praising Joe's many qualities.
Joe, you will be missed by so many...

Terry Cushmore

Sonny Troy(Gagliardi)

July 27, 2012

My mentor, my one and only teacher

Prof.Stephen Kleiman

July 27, 2012

it is with tears in my eyes that I write this - I studied with Joe in the late 80's and still practice and teach the techniques he taught me to this day- I will never forget him

MARC TOMISELLI

July 24, 2012

TO THE SGRO FAMILY. I STUDIED WITH MR. SGRO IN THE EARLY 80'S. NOT ONLY WAS HE A GREAT TEACHER BUT A FINE HUMAN BEING. EVEN THOUGH I DO NOT PLAY MUCH NOW I STILL HAVE HIS HAND WRITTEN LESSONS. WHAT A MAN AND WHAT A MUSICIAN. THE BEST! HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED. WHEN HE GAVE YOU A LESSON YOU BETTER BE PRACTICING AT LEAST 6 HRS A DAY OR YOU WOULD HEAR ABOUT IT. MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO ALL.

My latest YouTube track...a tribute to Andy Griffith

Rich Riggs

July 23, 2012

Joe tought me in the late 60s and early 70s...he was a very competant teacher and a fine guitarist...I have been indebted to him for many years...RIP, Joe

Joe at home 2005 with the Cameo-Parkway Cd comp I gave him since he played on some of their hit records.

George Manney

July 23, 2012

May God Bless Joe and his family.
It was a honor to interview Joe for our Philly Pop Music documentary. My wife and I got to spend some quality time and stories with Joe and he gave my wife a special guitar lesson.
We will miss you Joe.

Denise Sgro-Kelly

July 22, 2012

I will fondly remember my Uncle Joe, first and foremost as a faithful servant of Jehovah, and a genius musician who touched many lives spiritually and musically.

Uncle Joe looked forward to being reunited in the resurrection with his loving fleshly and spiritual brother, my dad, Domenick Sgro. I remember many joyful hours they spent playing and recording their music together.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results