Re: [Harp-L] Bill Haydu RIP / Steel Valley Harmonica Club

[Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Jan 8, 2012, at 12:07 PM, George Miklas wrote:

> Wow!  There aren't many members of the old Steel Valley Harmonica Club
> left.  The club closed its books years ago, but there still about 8 of us
> left.... Myself, Chuck Rushen, Bob Dombroski, Herb Eck, Mike Seizer, Dale
> "Pixie" Ensign, Al Sepesy, and Theresa Sepesy.  There maybe more, but that
> is all I know of.
> 
> This club once had Jack Allison (top chromatic and trio player from
> Pittsburgh), Vito Patierno (chord player from Johnny Puleo's Harmonica
> Gang), Stephen Miklas (my father who from 1942-1945 played the harmonica
> for General George Patton and General Dwight Eisenhower) Al Data, Lew
> Martin, and Mike Smith (The Harmonica Brats), hosted the 1977 SPAH
> convention, brought in top entertainers such as Cham-Ber Haung, The Sgro
> Brothers, Harry Fineberg for other club functions.
> 
> My mom, Janet Miklas, was the treasurer of the club from 1978 - 1983.
> 
> Between 1997 and 2003, Bill Haydu (along with Chuck Rushen and 4 other men)
> would come to my house in Grove City PA.  We would read various harmonica
> arrangements for enjoyment and improvement.
> 
> Chuck Rushen is still living, but is bound to a nursing home.
> I haven't seen Bob Dombroski for a long time, but heard he is still around.
> Herb Eck is still playing and frequenting harmonica festivals in Virginia
> and New Jersey and DannyG's picnic in Ohio.
> Al and Theresa Sepesy are still around.. I last saw them in Salem Ohio when
> I was playing Electric Bass for the Sgro Brother's concert in the park.
> Mike Seizer gave up the harmonica long ago (when he got married).
> Dale "Pixie" Ensign is playing in a blues band somewhere in Florida.

Frank Fordely is still alive in Sharon Pa.? Former member Joe Leone is still alive in SW Florida? 
Ernie Lakatos passed away several years ago. 
> 
> I continue to Promote the Advancement of the Harmonica.  I have to offer
> both solo and duo harmonica shows, and concerts with bands and orchestras.
> I have recently begun promoting the new medical harmonica, and have opened
> my own harmonica repair shop.
> 
> 
> On Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 11:06 AM, Danny G newharmonica <
> dannyg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>> I just received word that a dear friend and fellow harmonica player, Bill
>> Haydu passed away Thursday morning, January 5th.
>> Bill was a long time member of SPAH and the Steel Valley Harmonica Club
>> and played with a group called The Groovin' Grandpas until last Spring when
>> because of health problems he moved from Youngstown, Ohio to live with his
>> son in North Carolina. Bill would have celebrated his 83rd birthday in
>> April.
>> 
>> Viewing hours will be this evening
>> (Sunday January 8, 2012) from 5 PM - 7 PM
>> Kannick Funeral Home
>> 477 North Meridian Road
>> Youngstown, Ohio
>> 
>> Services will be tomorrow
>> Saint Georges Catholic Church in Canfield, Ohio
>>