Dante J. Ippolito was Musician, Popular Teacher

Dante J. Ippolito, age 94, of 204 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham MA, beloved husband, father, brother, cousin, uncle, and teacher and well known New England-area musician, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2017.

Born on May 26, 1922 to Albina Aurora (Lucchesi) Ippolito and Frank Ippolito, Mr. Ippolito grew up on Avon St. in Lawrence, MA.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years Eleanor M. (LaSpina) Ippolito, and four children — Jane Aitken (widow of Douglas F. of Quincy) of Bedford NH, Daniel Ippolito of Salem NH, Ellen Nesbitt (wife of William Nesbitt) of Sunset, SC, and John Ippolito of Cohassett, MA, many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The eldest of five children, he was predeceased by his sisters Yolanda Ippolito, and Josephine R. Carbone of Princeton, MA, brother Joseph A. of Andover, MA and Florida, and brother Raymond F. of Los Angeles, CA.

After marrying, he and Eleanor settled in Lawrence, MA on High St, and then moved to a new home on Beacon Hill Blvd in North Andover, MA in 1957. In later years the family lived in Kennebunk, ME, Salem NH, Norwell MA, and finally Linden Ponds Retirement Community in Hingham, MA

He graduated from Lawrence High School, and served in the US Army where he was a clarinetist in the Army band. After marrying, he obtained degrees in Music and Education at Boston University.

A saxophone and clarinet "prodigy", by the age of 15 he was working as a professional musician, and after high school, traveled with some of the big bands of the 1940s. He worked with many famous names in places like Hollywood to the Catskills; the Dorseys, Frank Sinatra, the Andrews and McGuire Sisters, etc, and at age 21 appeared in music videos with the Al Donahue Band which were filmed in the early 1940s at Radio City Music Hall NY. These first 8 videos called "Soundies" were originally slated for the early juke boxes with screens, called "Panorams".

After graduation from Boston University with a Masters Degree, (and subsequently earning 60 credits beyond), he worked as a music teacher in Littleton, MA, and Newton, MA, where he managed the high school band. Later he worked in Haverhill, MA, at the Moody School, the John Greenleaf Whittier Jr. High School, where he taught History and English to the "accelerated" class, and the St. James Public School. Before retiring he worked as an Assistant Principal at the Hunking school in Haverhill, MA. A favorite, many of his students have kept in touch with him over the years. He was featured in Boston Globe’s Perspectives Magazine in October of 2011 in an article "What makes a great teacher?" written by a former student: http://goo.gl/dqgn3x

While working as a teacher, and afterward, he continued to work as a local musician in many venues in New England with such notables as NH's Ted Herbert, and often was called up to work with signature bands such as Dorsey's when they came to Boston. He once had his own combo called the "Four Sharps" and had played at local venues such as the original Hampton Beach Shell, the Crystal Ballroom in Revere, and the Danversport Yachtclub.

In his 80s he mastered the use of a computer and enjoyed collecting classics and jazz favorites to his iPod. He was also interested in commentary on current affairs and was a frequent writer of letters-to-the editor to the EagleTribune, and other area newspapers. He often corresponded by email with the people who read his writings.

Services were private.

Donations in his memory may be sent to:

ARC of South Shore
371 River St.
Weymouth, MA 02191

Or online at: https://arcsouthshore.org/support-the-arc/donate-2/