Clarence Dowling Wolbrette

Clarence D. (“Pete”) Wolbrette, 62, of New Orleans, Louisiana passed away peacefully at home on May 5, 2016 after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. In his last illness, as in his life, Pete found happiness in music and, from a hospital bed, watched videos of this year’s Jazz Fest performance of the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, their first without him on trumpet in four decades.

Survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Lizbeth (Beth) Turner, who was also his best friend and accompanist; his brother, Henri Wolbrette III (Linda Case); nieces Stephanie Wolbrette Miller (Chris), Michelle Wolbrette Cullen (Chris), and Melissa Wolbrette; and five great-nieces and great-nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents Dorothy Dowling Wolbrette and Henri Wolbrette, Jr.

Born June 16, 1953 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Pete graduated from Isidore Newman School and the LSU School of Nursing. He spent his medical career as a registered nurse at Touro Infirmary, first on the med-surg floors and then in dialysis.

But mostly, Pete’s friends remember his sense of humor, brilliance, boundless kindness, generosity and compassion, and his fierce determination to live life to the fullest despite years of health issues. Many have joined Pete and Beth in their Mardi Gras morning costumed promenade down St. Charles Avenue.

Pete’s passion in life was music, and he was a musician’s musician. A trumpeter, he brought joy whether playing with the Tulane Marching Band, volunteering to play taps for veterans’ funerals, serving as a herald trumpeter at the Rex Ball, or playing for hundreds of wedding ceremonies.

He played trumpet with the New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra for over 40 years and considered the orchestra to be his second family. He met his wife Beth in the orchestra, and they shared many memorable performances locally, around the country and abroad. In 2001 he won a Big Easy classical music award for Best Chamber Music Performance. His final gig at the Nickel a Dance series in March was a fond and virtuosic farewell as he retired from performing.

Pete was also a recording engineer who recorded musical performances on location, often at no charge. He recorded the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Musaica, the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, the Trinity Artist Series, the New Orleans Concert Band and countless other musical groups and artists. He recently expanded his involvement with the music community through a newfound interest in photography. His legacy lives on through thousands of recordings and in his striking photographic portraits of musicians.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home (5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124) on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until service time. A private interment will take place at a later date.

The family thanks Dr. Marc Friedman, the nursing staff at the Touro Oncology Pavillion, and Passages hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that friends make a contribution to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra or the charity of their choice in Pete’s memory.