Eugene M. Brusiloff

Eugene Brusiloff Obituary

BRUSILOFF, EUGENE M.

Of Great Neck, NY, on March 28, 2005. A dear, sweet, kind and incredibly generous man with a wonderful sense of humor; a trombonist who played with the US Air Force Band during the Korean War, as well as with Peter Duchin, Lester Lanin and Meyer Davis; in orchestras backing up Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett, among others. Almost every day, he played "Wheels on the Bus" for his two year-old grandson, Harrison Leon Fink. He was a patient and inspirational music teacher to countless children. He is survived by his wife Phyllis; and his two children, Amy and Paul and their families. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association. Funeral services at Temple Emanuel of Great Neck, 150 Hicks Lane, Great Neck, NY 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 30.

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Published by The Washington Post from Mar. 29 to Mar. 30, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Brusiloff

13 Entries

Andrew Earl Singer

February 24, 2024

I am a member of the Brusiloff Family, Joseph our Patriarch is my Great Grandfather, the Violinist/Conductor and I have the fortune of having built the World Class Orchestra of 53 musicians based in South Florida (now dis-banded). I am extremely proud to see the beautiful comments about Uncle Gene (RIP)

Steven Oboler Schwartz

November 25, 2021

He was a wonderful teacher and friend to me. He taught me how to play trombone when I was in my 40s and he knew how to improvise and he could read music extremely well. He played with Peter Duchin's Orchestra and my wife and I saw him play at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan. He had such a great ear that he did not really have to read the parts and I saw him play with Vince Giordano and other great Dixieland players. He also played bass with Duke Ellington's Orchestra as a subsitute in Washington, D.C. when he was a younger man. I knew him as Gene Brusiloff and he was someone who was like a father to me. He was my inspiration and he helped me become more confident as a musician and he showed me that kindness is much more important than bragging about how great you are. He played with Mel Davis and many other great players and I miss him because there is so little kindness in the world these days...

Teresa Wrenn

January 18, 2021

In the mid-1970´s, Mr Bruciloff was the music teacher at Cross Street School, in Williston Park. My father was a teacher there, as well. Recognizing that there was some great musical talent among the students then, Mr. Bruciloff as Director and my father As Manager, formed a "band" called, The Brass Knuckles". There was one boy in particular was an especially talented trumpeter and got a lot of solo pieces in the songs Mr Bruciloff carefully curated for the kids. They marched/played local parades and events for several years. Through Mr Bruciloff´s Duchin Orchestra connections, The Brass Knuckles played the Democratic Convention in July 1976, on Madison Square Garden Plaza. Jimmy Carter even went outside to listen and said how much he enjoyed their performance. I was there, recorded the session and it was wonderfully unforgettable. "The Hustle" was just one of their 5-star numbers, but they flawlessly played all of their pieces beautifully, owing to the time, hard work and love of Gene Bruciloff. My father thought the world of him as a colleague and a musician. His memory will be a blessing for me, and I´m sure for the members of The Brass Knuckles.

Alan Schlosburg

July 11, 2019

At the age of six I became a trumpet student of Gene Brusiloff..except i couldn't hold the trumpet high enough. Gene gave me a mouthpiece and a small section of garden hose and I learned to play "this old man". Finally I got the strength to hold the horn and play in the police boys band under the direction of his father,Leon. I played in the band from 1957-1969. The brusiloffs nicknamed me Man O War because my voice was so low and it stuck throughout my band years. Those years with Gene Brusiloff teaching me were some of of the best years of my youth. I have never forgotten my wonderful experience with Gene Brusiloff.

Seymour Zucker

March 23, 2019

As Gene would frequently say, "No matter where you go, there you are.

Sy Zucker

April 2, 2005

Gene Brusiloff and I were close friends for many years. We grew up in the Washington, DC area. Played in the Police Boys' Band together as kids and traveled to the rehearsals together on street cars. We both went to MacFarland Jr. High, Roosevelt High School in DC and the Catholic University of America where we received our music degrees. We were frequent quests at each others houses as we grew up. We hung out together socially as well as playing music together professionally. Even after Gene moved to New York, we along with our families continued to get together at each others houses quite often. He was a very close, dear friend who I will always miss and will remain in my thoughts the rest of my life.

Gail Gleason Beamer

April 1, 2005

I am 51 years old. 41 years ago, Gene Brusiloff, "Mr. B" taught me (a girl!) how to play the trombone at Plandome Road Elementary School in Manhasset. He was such a positive, happy, lovin life kinda guy. I am now teaching 10 year olds to play trombone, and direct our 5th Grade band. I know I'm not the only legacy of Mr. B - I am only one of thousands who will never forget his inspiration. Wow- imagine a Mr. B alumni band?? We would rock the world.

Lori (DeThomasis) Donahue

April 1, 2005

I had the privelege of being Mr. Brusiloff's student at Meadow Drive School. Whenever I think of him I smile, because I remember his great sense of humor. He was a great teacher and I am a better person for knowing him. My deepest sympathies to his family.

robert ricken

March 30, 2005

I had the honor to work with Gene during most of his career in the Mineola School District. Attending every one of his concerts was a joyful event. Gene never made himself the center of attention. The children were always the stars! He was a talented classroom teacher and his students learned an appreciation for music and the arts. As a performer he was admired by his fellow musicians. I had the opportunity to hear him play recently at North Shore Towers and it was evident that he lost none of his vast talent. I was shocked to learn of his passing. Gene was as kind a person as I've met in 35 years in the field of education. My condolences to all of the members of his family. He'll be missed by everyone who knew him! Bob Ricken

Norman Zogaib

March 29, 2005

Gene Brusiloff was our Band Director at the Meadow Drive School and Mineola Jr. HS in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. His love for music and children inspired students of every ability level-everyone wanted to be in “Mr. B’s” band. His enthusiasm for music was contagious-every rehearsal and lesson seemed more like a major event! He was easily one of the most talented individuals that anyone could know.

With deepest sympathy,

Yael G

March 29, 2005

At the age of ten, I moved into a house in Great Neck. My new neighbors were Eugene, Phillis, and their dog pippin. They were so kind to my family welcoming us into the community. I used to visit them every weekend and walk their dog. Eugene would tell me all about his love for music. He inspired me to play trombone for my school band. Eugene offered to help get me started. He lent me one of his trombones and he gave me a few lessons. He was such an amazing musician and person. At night while eating dinner I could sometimes hear him playing his trombone or trumpet.

After trombone I decided to take up guitar. Eugene told me that I should choose the instrument that I enjoy the most and stick with it. I chose to stick with guitar because I love to sing and the guitar was an instrument that I could sing with and play at the same time. He was just so nice and I will always remember him for his kindness.

Eugene: A musician, my neighbor, my teacher, my friend Rest in peace

Peggy Kalia

March 29, 2005

We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Brusiloff's passing. He tutored our son from 6th grade thru high school. He was such a truly caring individual -- we always looked forward to his visits and his sense of humor. He was a true inspiration to our son Roger who is pursuing a degree in Music Education at Crane. If only there were more people like Gene Brusiloff ... the world would be a better place. With deepest sympathy. The Kalia Family

James Allen

March 29, 2005

Gene coached our jazz band at Manhasset High School. He taught us that you could play good music and have fun doing it. To me he was the consumate musician.

My condolences to his family.

Jim Allen

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