Michele F. Corino
Michele F. Corino passed away peacefully at home on the morning of January 2nd, 2017. He was 98 years old. Michele was born April 27th, 1918 in Castino, Italy, the last-born of seven brothers and sisters. As a young boy he displayed remarkable skills with the accordion and was later discovered by nationally renowned Italian conductor Maestro Angelini who was so impressed with the young talent that he instantly recruited him into his vast orchestra as a solo accordionist.
As a performing member of Angelini’s ensemble he began a radio career that subsequently led to studio recordings. While his fame and showmanship spread throughout Italy Maestro Corino branched out on his own recording many singles and a dozen or so memorable albums including Rome to Paris, Picnic Italiano, Music to Remember, Michele Corino & His Orchestra and others that showcased his amazing skills with the accordion as well as his upbeat personal compositions. During this productive period he wrote a piece destined to become a universally known classic he named Crazy Accordion (Fisarmonica Impazzita), an energetic and lively instrumental well known among accordionists worldwide.
After World War II he immigrated to the United States where he settled in San Francisco. He continued his career with the Corino Orchestra and founded Corino Music in the Italian neighborhood of North Beach where he trained a new generation of accordionists. There in the City by the Bay Michele fell in love with Gloria M. Campanelli and married her in 1949. They had three children before they divorced in the 1970s. He married Linda N. Nave in 1977 and became a second father to her son Stephen.
During the course of his illustrious career Maestro Michele Corino was honored with many awards. As a musician Maestro Michele Corino will be remembered for his animated style, dynamic showmanship and creative flare for telling stories with his stirring and uplifting original songs. Off-stage, “Mike” will be remembered for his contagious sense of humor, his boisterous laugh and his friendly personality. He cherished his friends and family and seemed to thrive in the presence of company where until recent months, he would entertain his guests with some classics on the accordion.
Michele’s life was an adventure from start to finish. From the humble beginnings of a poor village boy in prewar Italy with few opportunities he developed into an internationally renowned accordionist and composer associated with the great musical personalities of his day. In spite of some of the hard challenges he faced along the way, he managed to live his life passionately and with purpose. We will especially miss his winsome smile and warm personality. Goodbye for now. Thank you for the many good memories that remain. We shall meet again in Heaven.
Michele Corino is survived by his beloved wife Linda, his three sons Jeff, Glenn and Mark Corino, his two grandchildren Nicholas and Jacob and many other family members in the U.S. and in Italy who loved, respected and admired him during his lifetime.
A private service will be held in his memory. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent in his name to a charity of your choice.