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Andrew DiOrio Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Andrew DiOrio
Sponsored by Kenneth & Dolores Burbulak.
Steve Liberman
August 12, 2015
Andy, Linda and I will miss you. It's been too long since we were together, and now it's not to be. We will hold you dear to our hearts forever.
Armando Minutoli - Drumline
Armando Minutoli
February 27, 2014
I woke the other night with a voice in my head telling me to search the web to see if there was info on the St. Rocco's Drum Corp. alumni. My era mid 50's through early 60's in the Corp. I immediately found Harold Davis's site. And, can't thank him enough for the marvelous work he has done with it. I searched over the years trying to re-connect to fond memories of my childhood. About 10yrs ago. I stopped by the Youth Center and saw that many of the trophies we had won where still in display, which brought back memories.
The Corp. was my home away from home. I believe belonging to the Corp saved me from taking a wrong path. It taught me self-discipline and helped me to gain confidence. It was hard work practicing three hours plus a day; learning all the 26 drum rudiments but it kept me off the streets. South Brooklyn was a tough place to grow up in at that time. There were street gangs and a proliferation of heroin use.
This brings me to our Director, Andy Di'Orio the heart of the Corp., bless his soul. If it were not for his efforts in building the Youth Center I fear many of us would have been lost to the street. I was around 11yrs.old, a Boy Scout who had just signed up for the Scouts Drum Corp. I found out at my second meeting that the Scout Corp. drummers (Bill Smith, “Smithy” being one) had left to join St. Rocco's new Drum Corp. So I made my way there, without any skill whatsoever filled out an application and first met Andy. Over the years Andy was there for each and everyone us including patching our scrapes and bruises.
Andy was in the pre-war Corp. at St. Rocco's and we started out using the skin top drums, G-horns and Glocks that they had used in 1939. I started out playing the base drum which was big and heavy. Sweet natured Rosemary Mammalito, a guide arm stationed at my side as we paraded, would hold up the drum to give me some relief when we stopped at a corner to wait for the Italian band and the statue of the saint procession to catch up. We called those parades death marches, the heavy old uniforms (also circa 1939) were boilers in the hot summer sun. Andy always provided stops for water and cokes. He and the volunteers would carry buckets of water to cool us down with a cloth.
Later on, Andy somehow raised the money to get us gauchos, red with the Golden Stripe down the front. I think that's when we voted for a name; “Golden Aces.” If Andy was the heart, AL Koch was the lungs. He was not only the horn line instructor but helped modernize the Corp with him Bill Borhner our drum instructor, who was classic rudimental drummer who also had played for the Skyliner's and an Ancient drum corp. Bill also, taught a Chinese Corp. in Chinatown , N.Y.
As we progressed through the years with the help of these committed instructors we became Stand Still Champions with State titles and CYO Titles. Al Koch introduced us to M&M, and demanded military proficiency. Over the years I think he awarded me a couple of thousand push-ups.
Our first M&M contest was in 1960 in Toms River, NJ. We had come a long way in just a few short years from beat up drums, G-horns and Glockenspiels playing “Lady of Spain,” and “The Bells of St. Mary.” But, still had a long way to go. We even wound up being recorded on a 78 by Stetson D. Wilson, pretty much the only recording company for Drum Corps at the time.
Andy and the Corp. will always be in my heart.
Martha Sea Corprew
January 11, 2012
Came back here to THANK YOU Andy. Recently, 2 fellow St. Rocco's members opened up my drum corps memory bank and I was led to this website. I was 13 when I came to St. Rocco's. In my recollection, St. Rocco's was your house-your home. I remember a lot more feelings than details. How you labored over us like a mother hen over her chickens. When problems came up and there seemed to be big ones at times, the gym would grow quiet as we were informed of the latest obstacles. And not long after a solution on how we were going to proceed as a family to solve the issue would be announced and we would set out to try that. It could have been line formation, uniforms, rehearsal time and space, whatever the problem-I see you in the gym, sharing it with us. Through your example, we were able to thrive as young people, with a great sense of dignity. You let us know-we were family. Thank you so much. nmhrk
Warren Pinder
September 12, 2009
Thanks for all you did for me. I learned about teamwork, about becoming part of, and being accepted by another "family". About kindness and friendship. But most of all you taught me a lot about life and FORGIVENESS. Much of who I am today can be attributed to all of these things and more which I learned from you. May you find peace in your new home above.
Harold Davis
September 4, 2009
Uncle Andy's Legacy lives on in kids like Eddy Alvarez... Be of you...
Zippy
Half of these young men and women made this Olympic Team because of one of your Cadets!
August 3, 2009
Uncle Andy gave Drum Corps it's first Chrome Drumline
August 3, 2009
Father, Uncle, and leader to us all....
August 3, 2009
Uncle Andy honoring Dukie for our first reunion
August 3, 2009
On the Bus
August 3, 2009
1965 St. Rocco's Cadets on the field of competition
August 3, 2009
Breaking ground for the the youth Center
August 3, 2009
Uncle Andy's kids
August 3, 2009
Andy's Legacy: Eddy Alvarez from Miami newest member of the US Short Track Team
August 3, 2009
Harold Zippy Davis
August 3, 2009
Hello Andy I want to thank you for my wonderful life...
I was the kid of brokened dreams...
You were the first to look into my soul and and feel me heart... No one saw my passion as you did, and I saw yours...
Your legacy continues as many on the U.S. Olymic Speeding Team were sponcered by one of your roller skating Cadets...
I will continue you to asked of your guidents, as we all celebrate your life...
August 1, 2009
To Grandpa ( God Father )
Threw life you have always been there for me. You made all my dreams come true and I thank you for that, but the one thing you made come true was a father figure. With things that I went threw in life with break ups and being upset about things. You were the one to put me back on my feet. With the dinners we would have at bridge view together and the laughs we share will always be in a special part of my heart. I love you very much grandpa and I hope your in a good place that you deserve with everything you have done for me and others. You were a loving father, a sweet grandpa and a wonderful man. I hope in the future when I have those days that ill need my grandpa to be around to talk to your be there next to me listen with grandma by my side. I love you and I wont look at your time here has ended but the jouney's continues for you. No one can ever fill the shoes of you grandpa... no one<3
Rebecca Nagy
August 1, 2009
To Grandpa ( God Father )
Threw life you have always been there for me. You made all my dreams come true and I thank you for that, but the one thing you made come true was a father figure. With things that I went threw in life with break ups and being upset about things. You were the one to put me back on my feet. With the dinners we would have at bridge view together and the laughs we share will always be in a special part of my heart. I love you very much grandpa and I hope your in a good place that you deserve with everything you have done for me and others. You were a loving father, a sweet grandpa and a wonderful man. I hope in the future when I have those days that ill need my grandpa to be around to talk to your be there next to me listen with grandma by my side. I love you and I wont look at your time here has ended but the jouney's continues for you. No one can ever fill the shoes of you grandpa... no one<3
Dee Burbulak
July 31, 2009
Dear Uncle Andy,
Thanks for the memories. Thanks for
bringing all of us together as one family. If it wasn't for you and St. Rocco's Cadets Ken and I would have never met and married. You set a good example of what togetherness in a family really means. So for the last forty years every time we celebrate our anniversary,WE THANK YOU !
Now you and I are Met buddies and I hope you can pull some strings up there with the big guy for some wins.
THANKS AGAIN UNCLE ANDY FOR ALL YOU DID FOR US. GOD BLESS.
bob dunn
July 31, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Karen Goss
July 31, 2009
As we all feel the loss of a person so dear to us we know that life will go on. But we also know that there will never be another person like Andy.
When they made him the broke the mold. He was a one of a kind person who truly loved from deep within. He always saw the good in everyone and that they deserved a chance and some 2 and 3. The children of today are not as lucky for that kind of caring and love is so hard to find. So genuine and real and deep
He made us all a better person and he wasn't even trying he was just being Andy.
He leaves behind a legacy and understanding that hopefully we can carry on and try to let people know.
He is forever in our hearts, souls and being and we pass this on to our family so that they can be as blessed.
We will miss you and know that you watch over us from above along with the others. Heaven has one heck of a drum corp.
Ed (Eddy Joe) Eskew
July 31, 2009
"There’s a legend that in olden times a feast was laid on high Olympus for all the gods, and thither each did bear the goddess of his highest choice, until the throng had filled the mountain top.
Wealth and Riches came resplendent in their robes of gold, and Greed and Avarice their companions were. Peace came, and all did wonder that she leant upon the arm of War. Justice and Mercy entered, and between, them proudly walked the god of Right. Faith came with Doubt, and Hope entered by the side of Fear.
Thus, each in turn, until at last, uninvited and unattended, came sweet Charity, in flowing robes of purest white, and in her arms she bore a wilderness of flowers, dear tokens of remembrance for them all.
Then Wealth and Riches drew their gorgeous robes aside, while Greed and Avarice protested loudly that one so poorly dressed should royal feast attend.
Charity gave them answer soft and mild: “Have I in truth no welcome here, and is there none in all this company who will my companion be? Behold, I bring you sweetest flowers in offering and beg that you accept them from my hand. Royal robes would not befit me well, for what grace I have is not in figure nor in form. True, I come in simple raiment, unannounced, yet Misery and Want await me at the door. I speak to you of their distress, and argue for their cause.”
Whereupon the gods with one acclaim did vote her purest, truest: noblest of all the Graces, ladened her with royal gifts, proffered her a crown and begged that she would sit upon the throne.
But she made them answer, that she sought her throne not among the gods, but in the hearts of men; and, commending kindly deeds unto them all, went again upon her way".
This legend teaches us, my brothers and sister, that Charity is the greatest of all the virtues; and that it should ever rule us in our hearts and in our lives, leading us to speak no unkind word, to harbor no evil thought, to bear no malice, to support no wrong; but to nurture, love and protect; to condone, forgive and forget.
Andy, you above all others in my life have tipified the great passage above. You have taught me by your deeds that Charity is the greatest virture, you have taught me to bear no malice, and to support no wrong. Because of YOU today I can FORGIVE and FORGET. You demonstrated this everyday of your life with style, and class. Royal Robes may not have suited you but your heart was certainly ruled by CHARITY. I will miss you, I will remember you ALWAYS, and you will forever be in my heart.
July 31, 2009
The alumni of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ridgemen would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to the Diorio family and the alumni of St. Rocco's drum corps on the passing of founder and mentor Andy Diorio.
This is a man who left the world a better place than he found it, due to his remarkable contributions to his community, church and drum corps.
May he rest in peace with the fact that many of us are better people because of men like him.
Sincerely, Bobby Steinhilber
Frank Salmieri
July 31, 2009
Dear Andy, Your patience and understanding to a boy from a broken home saved me from the streets. Even after some of the crazy things I did you always forgave and forgot and showed understanding and love. You and the corp made a man of me and you will always be in my heart, mind and prayers. You earned your angels wings on earth so you wont have to stand in line in heaven. Love. Frank SPIDER Salmieri
July 30, 2009
Andy was the personification of why neighborhood drum corps existed. Threse was never an alterior motive other than what it meant for the kids. I don't think that is the situation today - all the more reason why he will be missed.
mario
(BklynMario.......Navetta
Jerry Mammolito
July 30, 2009
I guess the best way to appreciate the unconditionally loving and giving person that Andy was is to list the various "occupations" he mastered as known to me. It is difficult to comprehend where he found the time and energy to do all of this, but he did without complaint, and in fact with joy. Please feel free to add any I leave out. Member of the original St. Rocco's Brigade, WW II radioman, WW II hero, Quartermaster Brooklyn Army Terminal, Manager St. Rocco's Youth Center, Roller Skate repairman, Roller Skate Director, Church Sexton, Trustee of St. Rocco's Church, Drum Corps director, bugle repairman, drum repairman, bus mechanic, St. Rocco's Feast Director, Director of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel feast, Organizer and Director of procession for St. Rocco, Organizer and Director of procession for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (the death marches), Organizer and Director of St. Rocco's Bazaar, Director of St. Rocco's Bingo, Community Leader, Chairman and Member of Community Planning Board 7, Deputy Commissioner for the Public Administrator of Kings County, Chaffeur for Monsignor Sala, Professional Fundraiser, Director of the ST. Rocco's CYO baseball and basketball programs, Director and organizer of the "21 and Over" activity during the 50's, Bus mechanic and driver for the drum corps, printer of dinner journals, the Church Bulletin, campaign materials and whatever else was needed, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, philanthropist of our network, counselor, confidant, plumber, electrician, roofer, Organizer and Director of Countless fundraisers for St. Rocco's Church, member of Knights of Columbus and Lions Club, and finally the master of giving you whatever help he could with no expectation of a return.
Chet Klyn
July 30, 2009
The world has lost a wonderful man. I'm sure he didn't think that of himself but the members of St Rocco's Cadet sure did.
He was a father figure to us, white, black, or hispanic, it didn't matter to Andy.
We'll miss you, you big pineapple.
Chet K
St Rocco's Cadets
2nd Barritone
Tom Breen
July 30, 2009
I met Andy at the Brooklyn United stage show. I could see that he was a special man. Just talking to Ken & Dee and the members of Saint Rocco's about the man they called Uncle. He will be missed. Prayers for the family from the members of Brooklyn United. The stage show this October 10th will be dedicated to Andy during the brooklyn United performance. Tom Breen Brooklyn United Director
Selden Cadets Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps
July 30, 2009
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Duke Cornwell
July 30, 2009
I will miss you very much, and will never forget the joy you brought into my life and to all of the people that had the pleasure of really knowing you and the “GREAT” man you were.
May God Bless You “Uncle Andy”
I will miss you and continue to love you like a Father, Uncle and Friend.
Ralph Corno
July 30, 2009
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
mel armour
July 30, 2009
god bless you andy
Ken Burbulak
July 30, 2009
"I shall pass through this life but once. If therefore, there can be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do for any fellow being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it, or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. "
This was the philosophy that Andy lived by – DAILY.
As the activities coordinator of the church Youth Center and the Director of St. Rocco’s Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps, Andy was always the “go to” person whenever a neighborhood youth had a problem to discuss. As busy as the man’s daily schedule was, “Sorry, right now I’m busy” would never leave his lips if you had any kind of problem. He was always there to listen, provide sound advice, and make everyone feel better, no matter who they were, or where they came from. They were all his kids, and he treated them as such, no matter what their race or background, rich or poor.
When it came to directing the corps, Andy ate slept and drank Drum Corps 7 days a week, and never hesitated to invite you to sit at his table and share his banquet. He saved many kids not only from broken homes, but broken dreams as well. He never gave up on anyone. To some of us, he was looked up to and respected as aa adopted father, uncle, brother – but most importantly, a role model that many of us have aspired to emulate in our own lives. He taught us how to be tolerant, forgiving, and understanding. Because of his own spirit, inspiration and compassion, many of us were able to choose the right path in life, and we love him for it.
For the many lives you have touched, they are all richer today because of you, and it is my privilege to say, on behalf of all of them – Thank You, we love you, we miss you; and may God lovingly hold you forever in the palm of His hand.
Ann Marie Aiossa
July 29, 2009
July 29,2009
To MY DEAR COUSINS,
As the day and weeks pass,and you return to life routine may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
May your hearts soon be filled with all
the wonderful memories of the joyful times you spent together.
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Cousin Ann Marie
July 28, 2009
Andy was the most honorable people I have ever had the honor and pleasure to know. His personality and will was genuine and pure. The many facets of his live are truly inspirational. His image reflects in his close nit family, which is the ultimate tribute to his life here. He will be greatly missed. FC
July 27, 2009
My uncle Andy was a world war two veteran and earned a purple heart in Anzio. He devoted much of his life to Saint Rocco's church in Brooklyn. He will be missed. Tom DiOrio
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