Mr. Edward Eddie D. DeMatteo

Age 82 of Lantana, FL passed away peacefully on July 29, 2010 in his home after a heroic fight with prostate cancer. Born in Jeanette, Pennsylvania, on December 17, 1927 to the late Irene and Joseph DeMatteo, Edward was a talented musician and a loving father and devoted husband. He attended Jeanette High School and was the bass player in the Jeanette High School Dance Band. Edward received his Bachelors in Music from the Boston Conservatory. He played the bass with the South Carolina Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, and the New Orleans Orchestra. From New Orleans, he moved to Rochester, New York where he obtained his Master Degree in Theory along with his Performers Degree from Rochester's prestigious Eastman School of Music. He played in the Eastman School Orchestra which led to his position as the Assistant Bass Principle in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra from 1957 to 1990. He played under the direction of RPO Music Directors/Conductors from Erich Leinsdorf through David Zinman and Mark Elder. Guest conductors and artist included Jeff Tyzik (Pop and Jazz concerts), Leonard Bernstein, Leopold Stokowski, and Fritz Reiner. He also played with ensembles accompanying Rosemary Clooney, Yo-Yo-Ma and the Moscow Ballet Company and made recordings with the RPO under the names Eastman-Rochester Orchestra under the direction of Howard Hanson and Eastman-Rochester Pops under Frederick Fennell.

Ed was much sought after by classical, jazz, chamber music and symphonic ensembles. He was a remarkable string bass and tuba player, and wonderful on acoustic and electric guitar. He could even fill in on violin and cello if needed. Ed was a bass player with the popular "Dixieland Ramblers" for several years.. He also was the bass player for the George Giroux Trio, Chuck and Gap Mangione Group and famed jazz pianist, Marion McPartland. Edward served his country in the US Army from 1946 to 1948 where he was stationed in Europe. Here he followed his love of music as a bass player in the 392nd Army Band and with the Bad Nauheim Symphony Orchestra in Germany. Traditional and classical works were performed as well as new works for the band. With the band he also toured the United States, Canada, Paris, Belgium and Tokyo. They also performed on a radio show called "It's All Yours" that was broad casted through the Armed Forces Radio. In 1958, Edward appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show as a member of the Marimba Masters with James Arness. He also accompanied Donald O'Conner on several of his performances.

After retiring from the RPO he settled in Florida and became very active on the Florida Music scene. Ed was a close friend and colleague of the late Paul Chafin, founder of Chafin Music Center, and they frequently collaborated musically. He was a valued member of the Florida Atlantic University Symphony for many years. He also played bass and tuba in the Palm Beach Symphony Band. He also played with several different jazz groups . Very recently, Vic Damone, a popular crooner now retired, learned of Ed's reputation from his own pianist and asked Ed to play for him at the book signing of the autobiography. This was one of Ed's last professional gigs. Those who have known Edward say that it was not only an honor but a privilege to have known him and to be able to play music with him.

Edward is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Anita DeMatteo, his daughters Michelle (John) DeAngelo and Monica (Mark) Suess, his grandchildren: Cassandra (Mike) Kurdziolek, Eric and Timothy Suess and great-grandchild: Hunter Kurdziolek, his brother, Vince (Lois) DeMatteo, Brother-In-Law, Vince Ricci, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Loretta Ricci and brother, Dan DeMatteo.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00pm on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at the St. David’s in-the-Pines Episcopal Church, 465 West Forest Hill Blvd.,Wellington, FL. Reception will follow the memorial service in the church hall. For further information you may contact the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Palm Beach Atlantic Scholarship Fund or the American Cancer Society. Another memorial service will be held in Rochester at a later date.

Dorsey-E. Earl Smith

Memory Gardens Funeral Home

3041 Kirk Road

Lake Worth, FL

www.dorsey-smithmemorygardens.com