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The Civic Orchestra of Tucson is a 60-piece all volunteer orchestra whose members share a common love for performing classical music to southern Arizona audiences.

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A Special Tribute

Leonard W. Ferrone

Leonard W. Ferrone - Musician January 4, 1928 - September 4, 2007 Len Ferrone, bass player, leader and last member of the Bourbon Street Dixieland Jazz Band that played at Gus & Andy's Steakhouse for decades, passed away from lung cancer September 4, 2007. Born near Altoona, PA, Len graduated early from Allegany High School, Cumberland, MD., to join the U. S. Navy in World War II and served in the Pacific Theater. He studied musical instrument repair at C.G. Conn Company on the G. I. Bill. Len worked in the flute manufacturing industry for the Artley Company and others for 32 years; was instrument repairman for Tucson Unified School District for 12 years, and after retirement continued to repair flutes and other instruments. Len Ferrone is survived by three daughters and one son; Jan (John) Gavin, Elkhart, IN; Laura (Doug, dec.) Elliott, Bristol, IN; Mary Ann Stasyszyn, Gibsonville, NC; and Bill Ferrone (Tracy), Arivaca, AZ; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and former wife, Joann Ferrone, Elkhart, IN. Len's sister, Rosemary Barncord, and brother, John (Kathy) of South Bend, IN, and brother, Francis (Roslind) of Canton, MI, also survive him, as well as 12 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Dolores. A consummate musician, Len's talent was evident in his sense of rhythm, tone, and phrasing, a natural vibrato, and beautiful singing voice. Besides singing and playing in the Bourbon Street Band, Len played string bass in the Civic Orchestra of Tucson and Arizona Symphonic Winds, played tuba in Tucson Concert Band and Sonora Winds, bass flute in the Tucson Flute Club, and alto clarinet in The Desert Aires. According to Len's wishes, cremation was arranged with Advantage Arizona Mortuary. A celebration of Len's life will take place October 6, 2007, at St. Philips In The Hills Episcopal Church. Donations in Len's memory can be made to Civic Orchestra of Tucson, P. O. Box 42764, Tucson, AZ 85733.

Charles Lupu

Charles Isial Lupu devoted husband for 58 years, and loving and devoted father died peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 29, 2007, ending his two and a half years living with lung cancer. Charles was 82 years old, he was born in Minneapolis, MN. He is survived by his loving wife, Marian; three children, Dale Lupu (Richard Gladstein), Jarold (Jana), Soleste (Joseph Rodgers); two grandchildren, Ariella and Noah; three step-grandchildren, Emily, Cydny, Neal and six grand pets, Coco, Jazzy, Piquita, Sylvester, Luna, and Leo. He was a veteran of WWII and received a purple heart for heroic actions as a radio operator. The shrapnel that embedded in his hand ended his ambition of being a professional violinist, but the GI bill enabled him to obtain a PHD in biochemistry from Loyola Medical School in Chicago. He helped establish the field of clinical chemistry, working in Chicago, New Orleans, Charlottesville, and Pittsburgh before coming to Tucson in 1966 to help run the Tucson Medical Center laboratory. He was a certified clinical chemist and a fellow of the American Association of Clinical Chemists. In the early 70's he started a second career, establishing the Arizona Institute for Research, which conducted many social and market research projects throughout the country. He also established, in partnership with Dr. Theodore Koff, Housing Management Specialists, which worked on many projects throughout the country improving housing and services for the elderly. In 1982 he rediscovered his passion for orchestral music because he wanted to encourage his daughter Soleste to continue playing viola. He played violin with the Tucson Civic Orchestra every season since then. Over the years he served as president, treasurer, active board member and fund raiser for the orchestra. He also played in several other musical groups, enjoying both popular and classical music. He was keen on encouraging young students in the intergenerational Tucson Civic Orchestra. He initiated the orchestra's annual student competition which provides young musicians the chance to solo with the Tucson Civic Orchestra. Tchaikovsky was his favorite composer and any and every opportunity he had to play in the large romantic orchestral works gave him great joy. His last concert was May 2007 with the Tucson Civic Orchestra. He was unusual for his time in being completely supportive of his wife's successful career in gerontology, of sharing child and domestic responsibilities, and of living his belief in human equality Ghandiesk style. In high school, aproximately 1939, he was campaign manager for an African-American student running for student body president. She won. In college, he was one of the returning veterans who helped establish Roosevelt College, one of the earliest integrated colleges in Chicago. Throughout his career, he continued to hire, mentor, and cultivate talented people of all ages, colors and cultures. Charles legacy includes decades of home movies which chronicle the lives of his family on 8mm, super-eight, and video. He loved to travel and visited every continent except South America and Antarctica, but still wanted to see more of the world. Charles was a very generous and loving man. His gentle spirit, keen intellect, and wonderful sense of humor touched many lives. Informal family visitation (Shiva) will be held at the family home at 6411 E. Brian Kent on Saturday and Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A spiritual service will be held each day at 6:30 p.m. The fall date for a Celebration of Life will be announced later. The family requests contributions in his memory to the Tucson Civic Orchestra or Tucson Junior Strings.

Jill Hentz

Hentz, Jill (Gilberte Louise), 83, passed peacefully surrounded by her family and friends on her birthday, July 14, 2006. Jill was born in Paris, France in 1923. She spent her early years in Geneva, Switzerland and came to America in 1936. She married Joseph R. Hentz in 1947. Throughout his thirty-one year career in the U.S. Air Force, they were stationed at various Air Force bases in the U.S. and Asia until he retired in Tucson in 1971. Jill taught elementary school in Illinois, Okinawa, New York and over 20 years at Santa Cruz Catholic School in Tucson. As a young woman, Jill attended the Julliard School of Music where she studied the violin and piano, which intensified her lifelong love of music. Wherever they traveled, she found an orchestra to play in, and had been a founding and active member of the Civic Orchestra of Tucson since 1975. She also played her "fiddle" with the St. Ambrose and Sacred Heart Church choirs and was the Sweetheart in the group "Sweetheart and Her Pals." Jill will continue to live on through her four sons, Tom (wife Joanne), Jim (Leslie), Doug and Steve (wife Kim); her five grandchildren, Jeffrey, Sarah, Lauren, David and Deanna; and great grandchild, Ilah. A memorial service will be held on August 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 300 S. Tucson Blvd. The family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to all the Hospice Family Care staff for their dedication and loving care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Civic Orchestra of Tucson, P.O. Box 42764, Tucson, AZ 85733.