One of my favorite men in my life. I met him in first grade when he told me I was tone deaf and went on to play music with him until I graduated from High School. I can’t even begin to state the positive effect he left on my life. I was thrilled to see him and to spend some time with him in the park in Irvington a few years ago. He played Misty on his trumpet for us while sitting on a park bench next to the Hudson River. I was able to video it. A memory and a video I treasure. I wish I could figure out how to post it here. He lived a good life and brought great appreciation for music into many peoples lives.  Loved that guy. 

Gene was a wonderful teacher and friend who very patiently taught me drums and jazz piano during my years in Irvington (1963-69).  I still have a tape somewhere of the little Dixieland band he formed that included Gene on his soaring trumpet and my fellow students Arthur Samuelson on tuba, Efrem Marder on clarinet, and me on drums, together playing the hell out of "Basin Street Blues" and "Maple Leaf Rag."  What a gift!  What a great time we had!   Thanks, Gene, for making our lives so much better than they ever would have been without you.  We were truly blessed.

Oh my... after 50 years. I was just thinking of dear Mr. Sprague last week.   Between '60 and '66, he taught me to read music and keep rhythm and listen to others playing while you played.  He throughout elementary school and later on Mr. Henri Conlin throughout high school taught me music that I have used throughout my life.  I cannot thank them enough.  You are wonderful....

Dear Sons and Grandchildren of Gene,
I write this this tears flowing down my face. Gene was dear old pal if mine. We met in The Dows Lane School in Irvington, New York in 1968 and have been friends ever since. On his last visit to New York, he stayed with me in my Irvington apartment. We also went down to the newer river park where he was joined by old students of his that loved him. 
I just called his phone number and, finding no answer, went to see what came up on Google. 
That’s when I very sadly saw that he had passed only weeks before. 
I have pictures and videos of him at the Irvington park where he’s playing his trumpet and others from the same visit where he was playing also. 
Gene always talked about his sons and his grandchildren. He was so proud of you all  and it was obvious that you treated him with extraordinary love and caring. 
I’m thinking that Gene was probably a victim of the horrible virus that was even more deadly in senior residences and nursing homes. 
His loss is such a heartache to me and I know all his old pals and musician friends feel it too. What a sadness it leaves to all but mostly his cherished sons and their wives and his grandchildren who just adored him so. 
     If you, his family, call or email me, I’d be happy to send the pictures and videos. They are treasures. 
     Again, I want to convey my deepest condolences and sorrow over his passing. When I last spoke to him, he was having such fun in the residence he moved to, playing his horn and feeling the love and admiration of his new friends there. I feel his passing was untimely, even though he was in his early 90’s, because he had so much spirit and liveliness in him and he was so enjoying his life. 
With great love and sympathy,
Gene’s old pal,
Richard Friedman
914-643-2380


Mr Sprague was the music teacher at Irvington NY schools when my children were young.  He was a kind wonderful teacher and friend to our family.  I am so sorry to see this, quite by chance.  Please let his sons know how much our family came to love and respect him.. 
Maureen Helbig. 

OBITUARY

Eugene William Sprague

1 July, 1926 – 14 April, 2020

Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services