Louis W. Siani

1926 - 2022

A life in music as teacher & well-known orchestra leader Louis W. Siani, 95, of Staten Island, New York passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. A visitation for Louis will be held Sunday, April 10, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 10 Austin Place, Staten Island, NY on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 9:45 AM. Interment to follow at Silver Mount Cemetery, 918 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10301. Louis W. Siani was a New York City musician, educator, family man and WWII veteran. He is well known for providing the music entertainment for weddings, events and for teaching music to thousands of Staten Islanders. He is often greeted around town with warm affection and the usual "Hey, that's my music teacher." He was born in Staten Island, NY to Grace and Daniel Siani on October 25, 1926. At 16, he began playing piano in small clubs throughout the NYC area with a focus on building his music career. At 18, he left his senior year at Curtis High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve in the war. He was extremely proud of his contribution as a "torpedo man" and was awarded the Victory Medal and the American Theater Medal. In 1954, he met the beautiful actress and singer, Jeanne Morgan from Boston, who joined his band as the "girl singer." They were married for 54 years until her death in 2007. Louis received his B.A. and Master's Degree in Music Education from Wagner College. He taught at Egbert Junior High School, opened The Richmond Music Studios, and retired from the Board of Education after 31 years. The Louis W. Siani orchestra gained a reputation as one of the best in the business and is remembered fondly by so many as they provided the entertainment for countless weddings and events throughout the area. Louis and Jeanne had a unique marriage that friends, family and neighbors admired. Devoted to each other – their musical partnership and their family – the couple attributes the success of their 54 years of marriage to living happily, side by side, in their two houses on Silver Lake Road. Louis often said, with his charming smile, "Whatever works!" He is survived by his two daughters, Dr. Jeanne Siani – a literacy specialist and Joni Siani, a radio personality/filmmaker and college professor. Grandchildren Kelly Demyan and husband Andrew Kochman, Michael Demyan and wife Lindsey Demyan, Katherine LeBlanc and husband Peter LeBlanc and Morgan Brown, along with his three beautiful great-grandchildren, Quinn and Erin LeBlanc and Oliver Kochman. In addition to his close-knit family, Louis felt blessed to have a loving and close community of friends and neighbors, "such beautiful people," and dear friend Dr. Janet Norton, who all enriched his life. His philosophy, Ancora Imparo, Italian for I'm still learning, was evident as he enjoyed his Saturday Italian language classes. He had an insatiable thirst for learning everything possible about the American Songbook composers. He put that knowledge into a one-man show, The History of the Broadway Musical, which he performed in Boston and New York. A family trip to Hawaii and a visit to the memorial in Pearl Harbor, Louis was humbled to be able to pay respects to the fallen heroes of World War II. Last year he was honored to be inducted into the Curtis High School Hall of Fame. Louis Siani will be missed terribly. He is remembered for his special ability to make people feel loved and appreciated, a beautiful curiosity of the world and a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and true friend. He was proud to have served his country, his family and his community.