Chirico, Roland Anthony
Roland Anthony Chirico (90) died Monday, February 14, 2022, surrounded by his family in his home in South Windsor, Connecticut.
Born in Hazleton, Pa, to the late Anthony and Madeline Pane Chirico, he lived in South
Windsor for over 50 years.
The trumpet was Roland's lifelong passion and driving force.
Even though he was a veteran, a journalist, a teacher, a union organizer, a professor, a photographer, an avid bicyclist, and earned a Ph D; the trumpet was never far from his side.
In his final weeks, visits with dear friends and family brought much sharing, laughter and comfort. He said, “I've been a trumpet man. That's who I am, and who I've always been. I like that.”
Roland began the trumpet at age 14. He served his country as a bandsman in the United States Air Force for four years. Until Covid-19's impact, he played regularly with a myriad of swing, salsa and dance bands in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
For 33 years, Roland entertained with quips, stories, song and tunes from the wonderful golden age of the Great American Song Book in his one-man show. Activity directors, music educators and facilitators alike welcomed “Roland, The Trumpet Man” into assisted living facilities, nursing homes, corporate venues, private parties and
special events to the delight of their audiences.
Roland performed all over the world. He worked with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, Johnny Mathis, Dean Martin, Danny Kaye, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Paul Anka, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Diane Warwick and Liberace just to mention a few. He was also a featured trumpeter at four Presidential Inaugural Balls in Washington, D.C.
On the local scene he was an in-demand trumpeter, playing the lead chair with the top professional bands led by the likes of Paul Landerman, Dick Campo, Bobby Kaye, Al Gentile, Pat Dorn, Andy Nichols and Ed Cervany. He also
served as Principal trumpet with the Oakdale, Bushnell, Storrowton, Goodspeed, Ivorytown Playhouse and Schubert Theater orchestras. Because of the breadth of his musical knowledge, Roland was frequently sought after to join community ensembles where he served as a mentor to up-and-coming musicians.
His stories were humble, and his chops were always in shape.
Roland supported his growing family of four with several accomplished careers. With each opportunity he asked himself, “Will this interfere with my trumpet playing?” If it did, he refused the job. Even though he was a first-call musician and often led the trumpet section, he once said that if asked to write an epitaph for his tombstone it would
have to be, "He tried to play his trumpet."
In his first career as a journalist, he worked for several New England newspapers. His second career began in 1967 when he started teaching high school English. Soon thereafter he was persuaded to become one of the first teacher's union organizers in Connecticut. He also became a professor of English and Journalism at Manchester
Community College where he remained until 1997.
Roland earned a Baccalaureate in Journalism at the University of Florida and Master of Journalism degree at Boston University. After a year of sabbatical, living on the Costa del Sol in Marbella, Spain, he earned his Ph.D. in 1981 and so became Dr. Chirico.
Roland was also a highly esteemed photographer. His achievements include winning a national photography contest, producing a slide show for PBS on the tobacco industry in the Connecticut River Valley, and being hired professionally to create many slide shows for numerous institutions and organizations.
In his community life he was a founding member of the Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester CT. He remained active in the society for the rest of his life. Generations of society members became familiar with his
frequent trumpet performances at events there.
Roland was an avid bicyclist. He enjoyed being in social cycling clubs and frequently organized family trips to enjoy the fall foliage and the nation's Capital.
With his family, he enjoyed traveling both in the United States and overseas. After the death of his mother, Madeline Chirico of Daytona Beach, Florida, he joined his father and two sisters annually for 14 years on "Core Four" trips to Italy, the Caribbean, and many American National Parks. After the death of his father, Anthony Chirico, he continued to join his two sisters on "Sibling" Road Scholar trips throughout the USA for another 14 years. He joined his sons, his sisters, and their families in “Chirico Extravaganza” family reunions in several states in New England.
Dr. Roland Anthony Chirico was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lynn O'Connor Chirico, who died July 20, 2021. He is survived by his four children: Mark Anthony Chirico, Issaquah WA; Marisa Hope Chirico of South Windsor, CT; Bruce Ralph Chirico of Glastonbury CT and Roland Mitchell Chirico (Judy) of Stafford Springs, CT; two sisters, Gloria Jean White of Atlanta, GA; and Lorraine Chirico Smith of Delmar, NY; five grandchildren: Nicholas Anthony Chirico, Vincent Matthew Chirico, Anthony Leonardo Chirico, MichaelAngelo Chirico, and Olivia Rose Chirico; one great-grandson: Oliver Joseph Chirico; and four step-children: Christine (Dawson) Church of Petaluma, CA, Gary O'Connor (Sylvia
Galvan) of Southhampton, MA, Pohar O'Connor of San Mateo, CA, and John David O'Connor of Plymouth, MA.
A memorial service for both Roland and his beloved wife Lynn will be held on May 07, 2022 at 2 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Society: East located 153 Vernon Street West, Manchester, CT 06042