Ralph Anthony Ianacone

The Rhythm and Blues Jazz band in Heaven welcomed its newest saxophone player, Ralph (Ray) Ianacone on Sunday, April 30, 2023. He passed away peacefully, after a long illness, at his home in Las Vegas, surrounded by family. He was born June 27, 1942, in Buffalo, New York to Rafael Ianacone and Mary Silvaroli. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Joanne Ianacone (Buffomante), and his 3 loving children; Ralph Joseph (Julie), Laura Taschek (James), Nicole Moore (Daniel), and seven beautiful grandchildren: Colby, Jake, Lucas, Paul, Eliana, Natalia, and Daniella. He was the oldest of four siblings; Robert (Terry), Evonne Ryan (Tom), and Denice Walther (Kalani). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and faithful pets Buddy (dog) and Blaze (cat). Ray will be remembered for his dedication to education, his love of music, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his devotion to family.

After working for 21 years as a special education teacher for the Las Vegas Clark County Schools, Ray retired in 2011. As a teacher of Learning and Behavior Disorders, he first worked at Miley Center, then at Bonanza and Green Valley High Schools. During his first year in Las Vegas, he was awarded the 1990 New Teacher of the Year for Special Education for his commitment and creative programs to support students with special needs. His compassion and connections with students, who often were destined to quit school early, inspired him to develop a highly successful Work/Study program that paved the way for these young students to be independent and successful in their futures. He exuded a gentle, caring spirit, but didn’t put up with any shenanigans from his students. Many of those students reached out over the years to tell him what a great impact he had on their lives. The program was one of his greatest achievements in his educational career.

Music has always been central to Ray’s life. Growing up with a musician and band director as a father, he and his brother Bob played a variety of instruments in school bands and orchestras. Whatever musical instrument was lacking, the brothers filled in. He also played in weekend bands with his father all over the Buffalo area. When the time came, he organized several of his own music groups. One of the most well-known was called Take Five. Together with his brother and sister, Evonne, Take Five played in many of the clubs in the Buffalo area. His main instrument was, of course, saxophone but while in college, he mastered the clarinet and also taught himself the flute. On one special occasion, he received a call from Ray Charles himself and was asked to replace an ailing band member for Ray Charles and the Raelettes show at Melody Fair, a popular Buffalo venue. He really stood out in this group. Besides performing, Ray was involved in music through business. He bought a music store in Batavia, New York, and brought it to Buffalo, calling it Bob and Ray’s Music. At the time he was one of the youngest music store owners in the country. He operated it there until Burger King bought him out as their first location in Buffalo in 1967. At this point, he concentrated on getting his Bachelor's in Education and Master's in Special Education at Buffalo State.

On his way to Nevada, Ray, and his family spent 15 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While there, he taught briefly and ran several successful businesses. Once again, he operated a music store still called Bob and Ray’s. As before, he focused on giving music lessons and had a large list of students. Always wanting to spread the gift of music, Ray, along with his dad, started music programs in a local parochial elementary school and St Pius H.S. because, at the time, there were none available. Always the entrepreneur, he branched out into real estate where he found his niche, selling businesses such as restaurants in addition to running a property management company. He also dabbled in insurance, running a successful agency until the company left New Mexico. Eventually, because of the slowing economy and his commitments to his parents, he moved his family to Las Vegas in 1990.

In Las Vegas, his life shifted back again to the field of education at Clark County School District, while he continued to incorporate music in his life. With New Year’s Eve being one of the biggest events for musicians, his group played two years in a row for the afterparty for Siegfried and Roy, one of the biggest shows on the Las Vegas strip. He also did cameos in a Sweet Adeline chorus Valley of Fire show where he auditioned for heaven by playing ‘When the Saints Come Marching In’ in their production of Harmony on the High C’s.

Love of food, especially Italian food, led him to get involved in helping a fellow teacher friend start a new restaurant, Buon Gusto. He arranged the lease, all the necessary licenses, and permits, and helped train the employees while putting in time as a manager. Besides helping outside food businesses be successful, he was known for making delicious Italian family recipes. He could be found on any given Sunday morning, frying up meat, adding the secret ingredients to a mouth-watering ‘meat sauce’ recipe to serve up to family and friends.

His final years were filled with family, spending time with his grandchildren until many health issues forced him to curtail many of the things he enjoyed doing. Although his death has left a hole in our hearts, we believe he is now free from his earthly pain and suffering and now playing with the heavenly band in the sky. His smile, his music, and his gentle spirit will be greatly missed.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmcheyenne.com for the Ianacone family.