John Delevoryas Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for John Delevoryas
Start: 2016-07-23T03:00:00.000Z
Location: Music Department Concert Hall, San Jose State University

John Delevoryas
Nov. 12, 1924 - June 28, 2016
Resident of San Jose, CA
John Basil Delevoryas was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Basil and Sophie Delevoryas, who came over as immigrants from Greece.
John received a scholarship to the prestigious The Juilliard School of Music in New York, graduating cum laude with the Master of Science degree in 1949.
He was honored as the outstanding pianist of his class, was presented the Rosenberg and Loeb Prizes for pianistic achievement and accepted a position on the faculty at Juilliard.
In 1955, John accepted a position as professor of piano studies at San Jose State University.
He retired as Professor "Emeritus" from San Jose State University in 1990.
John is survived by his siblings, Lillian, Theodore, and Mark; children Rachel, Penelope and Peter; and nephews Nicholas, Matt, and Chris; as well as his grandchildren PJ, Ruth, and Amy.
A "Celebration of John's Life" memorial service will be held at the Music Department Concert Hall, San Jose State University, 1 Washington Square, San Jose, CA, 95192 Friday, July 22, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. This event is open to the public
The same evening, a private reception is being held at "The Flames Restaurant" at 10:30 P.M.
The Flames restaurant is located at the corner of Fourth and San Fernando Streets near Downtown San Jose.

View the online memorial for John Delevoryas

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Published by San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on Jul. 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for John Delevoryas

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10 Entries

Sandra Olson

November 12, 2022

John was a client and friend. I was his Pilates instructor. His birthday popped up on my calendar today. Their is a reason why I put John in my calendar. Because the things I learned from casual conversation with him gave me perspective and wisdom. I was young.
I learned so much from this man. I thought he would live until a 103, at least.
I´m not sure family members are seeing this after so many years. But your dad made a lasting impression on me. We spent one hour every week talking. I knew all your stories.
He was rigid and disciplined. But he loved you. I can´t tell you specific stories. It´s been too many years.
Did you donate his body to science?

Marvin Laurence

July 16, 2022

I was a long-time piano student of "Mr. Delevoryas." I still play my piano when I can. I am reviewing several pieces of music that I studied in his studio. I see his pencil marks in my scores often. I remember "Mr. Delevoryas." I miss him.

Marvin Laurence

March 27, 2020

I was a student of John Delevoryas during the 70s at SJSU and earlier as a student in his private studio. I am now working on the A Major Piano Concerto by Mozart. I studied it with him back then. Now, every day, I see the marks he made in my music score.

I recall that Mr. Delevoryas was passionate about nature, and in particular, birds. I heard that he went to New Guinea, or some exotic place, just to see and photograph birds. Wow! He cared about local song birds. He used to lament that people "don't tie up their cats."

I am so grateful for having had the experience in the studio of John Delevoryas. He had a name for me back in the early studio days, "Urchin."

November 12, 2016

dear penny, peter, rachel and families,
today i was just thinking of john on his birthday, and searching for an address to
send my congratulations i found out that john has died already in june.
i send you all my love and sympathy also
in the name of my brothers uwe and peter and our families.
how nice to see the yt films and photos!
lots of love
and peace
music
tatjana beinkinstadt
and all the birds in our garden
in lilienthal, north of germany

Vincent Lewis

November 11, 2016

John was my piano teacher from 1984-1990.
He helped me find my musical voice and taught me so much about pulling the music off the paper.
He always told me,"Whatever is on paper is only an approximation of the composer's intentions"
Hell of a teacher and a hell of a guy with a wonderful
sense of humor.

Marie Southwick

October 10, 2016

Dear Rachel ('Tato), 'Penny,' and Peter,

I am a former neighbor from you childhood, and for years your parents were my friends. When Peter turned 21 (or 18?) and Sonja left for Vienna I planned to visit her there but that morphed to her visit to me in Boston, instead. After that, John remarried. Sonja and I gradually both moved to and around various cities in the world. Last I had contact, Peter had joined his mother somewhere near the west coast (??) and they were living together. Last I heard of Rachel she was with Mexico City Symphony.

I loved both your parents -- John was my husband's piano teacher. When Peter was due to be born, Sonja sat on my living-room floor listening to John play (Beethoven concerto I believe) in San Francisco. I was sure the baby would be born right in my living room.

I would love to hear from any one of the three of you "children." My email is malfunctioning but I can be reached snail-mail, simply as M. Southwick, Vinalhaven, ME 04863, a small island where everyone knows everyone else.

I send my regrets for the loss of your father. I believe he was studying butterflies when I last heard. He played our upright-grand piano, a Ripon, Danish, and my favorites were the shorter more modern pieces. He played like a transparent curtain wafting across a string instrument in a soft breeze.

God bless you all. I send love across many years and miles, and I do hope to hear from you. My daughter Kathy is who 'Tato may remember, I hope.

Florence LaRiviere

September 24, 2016

Mr Delevoryas was a great encouragement to me. He was a courtly gentleman who, along with his other notable interests, was devoted to our natural world. I shall miss him.

My deepest sympathy to his family.

Florence LaRiviere
Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge