Published in Journal-News on Oct. 2, 2018

Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 28, 2018

Dr. Ellie Mannette (11/5/1927 – 8/29/2018) 

Ellie Mannette, a Trinidadian musician known in the United States as the father of the modern steel drum, died on Wednesday at a hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. He was 90.  The cause of death was kidney failure according to his daughter Juliette Mannette.

Born in Trinidad in 1927, Ellie developed a love of percussive instruments at a young age. The island was alive with music in the 1930’s when rival bands would meet in Port-of-Spain for fierce competition. Bands used various everyday items- from trash cans to buckets- to make music, but it was Ellie who first thought to use empty oil barrels from the local military base.

When Ellie transformed his first oil barrel into a steel pan, history was born. Soon word got out that he had created a drum with the unheard of, ability to create a melody and his steel pans were in high demand. The TASPO (Trinidad All Steel Percussive Orchestra) was invited to Great Britain to showcase the new instrument at the Festival of Britain.

Soon thereafter, he traveled to the United States to create the U.S. Navy Steel Band. Ellie went on to build and create hundreds of Steel Bands all across the US.

It wasn’t until 1991 that Ellie’s travels brought him to the place he now calls home. He came to Morgantown, WV for a guest semester at West Virginia University to teach students to build and play steel drums. Truly connecting with the university and city, he soon launched the University Tuning Project. This venture later evolved into Mannette Musical Instruments.

Ellie has received countless awards of recognitions. A few include the NEO National Heritage Fellowship Award, Hummingbird Medal of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2003, he was admitted to the Hall of Fame of the Percussive Arts Society of the United States. Ellie was recognized by the Smithsonian Institute in July 2012.

William Frank Sandy, age 81, passed away August 27, 2018. He is survived by his sister, Judy Sandy Young Biggs (Bill), nephews Ronald and Monte Young and great-nephews Clayton and Jack Young.

Bill was born March 6, 1937 in Champaign, IL, to parents Margaret and Gerald Sandy. He graduated from Lubbock High School and Texas Tech, playing in marching bands at both schools. He moved to Houston in 1964 and was an accountant for Texaco and Starr Enterprises.

Bill was a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Houston for over 50 years. He sang in the choir, served on the church boards and was Clerk of Session for 38 years.

He was an avid supporter of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and was a huge fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team as well as the Houston Astros, Rockets and Texans.

Bill gave generously of his time and talents to his family, church and friends.

A memorial service at his church will be announced later.  Memorial gifts may be made to St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 5308 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77005 or a charity of your choice.

Albert J. “Al” Neumeyer, 75, of Lower Saucon Township, passed away Monday, July 31, 2018, in St. Luke’s Hospice House. He was the husband of Shirlee (Kovacs) Neumeyer for 42 years in December. Al earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Mansfield University and a Master of Arts degree in Conducting from the College of New Jersey. Upon graduation from Mansfield, he taught in the New York State School System in Dundee and Elmira. He was recruited to teach elementary and secondary music and to begin the Musical Theatre Program in the East Penn School District where he directed the Spring and Summer Theatre Program until 1981. For 26 years, he and his wife Shirlee owned and operated the Inn of the Falcon, now Bolete. Al was Director of the Lehigh University Marching 97 and Symphonic Band for 25 years, Director of Music for the Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble at Muhlenberg College and a Music Teacher at Saucon Valley Elementary School. He retired from these musical leadership postions in 2017. Surviving with his wife, Shirlee, are sisters, Elizabeth Reep, and husband Jerry, Dolores Derbaum and Kathleen Herzog; aunt, Rachael Neumeyer; nephews and nieces. A Celebration of Life will be held in Packer Memorial Chapel at Lehigh University on Saturday, August 11 at 2 p.m. Arrangements by the Pearson Funeral Home, Bethlehem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network c/o Development Department, 850 S. Fifth Street, Allentown, PA 18103. Online condolences may be sent to www.pearsonfh.com.

Rev. Dr. Donald C. Esslinger, 88, of Bethlehem, passed away June 8, 2018 after living an abundant life. Faith was always an important part of his life since his birth in Cincinnati, Ohio. He became a minister, after serving in the Army in the Korean War, receiving an MBA and working in business. He served three churches: St. John’s United Church of Christ in Germantown, Ohio; First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Norwich, NY; and Bethany, United Church of Christ in Bethlehem, PA. He loved the people in all the churches he served. And he loved his wife, Doris Esslinger, whom he was married to for almost 60 years. They had two children, Denis Esslinger and Rev. Dr. Denise Esslinger who is married to Phil Parizeau. He also loved his two grandchildren, Kelly and Kevin Esslinger. Donald was a trombonist who played in the Moravian Trombone Choir and Bethlehem Municipal Band for many years. Finally, Donald loved food. He had a great appetite and enjoyed eating. Services: A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM Thursday, June 14th at Bethany United Church of Christ, 600 West Market Street, Bethlehem. Reception and food following. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memorial tribute may be placed at www.longfuneralhome.com Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bethany United Church of Christ, 600 West Market Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Dean Edwin Page, 72, passed away June 7, 2018 after a short battle with cancer. Born in Columbus, Ohio he moved to St. Petersburg, FL with his parents Clark Dean and Lillian Beatrice Page. He graduated from Boca Ciega High School, St. Petersburg Community College, and the University of Tampa, where he was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and earned a degree in Music Education. He later obtained an MBA at Tampa College. He was a Band Director at several Hillsborough County (FL) public schools and was Entertainment Director for Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that capacity, he co-founded and directed the all-volunteer Tampa Bay Buccaneer Band. He later returned to school to obtain certifications to teach science at Bayshore Christian School in Tampa. He co-authored a textbook on Astronomy for use in 9th grade science at Tampa Catholic High School and retired from there after 17 years serving as a science teacher, Founding Director of the Drum Line, and Dean of Students. One of his most favorite life events was singing with the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay and performing with the London Symphony in St. Paul’s Cathedral. He was an avid chef and delighted in sharing his culinary creations. In 2013, he moved to Fleetwood, NC to his dream home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church, the Chancel Choir, Bethany Brass, Fleetwood Folk, and the Ashe County Wildlife Club.

Published in the Tampa Bay Times on June 17, 2018