John Signorelli

John Signorelli, age 89, of Denver, East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, PA, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 21, 2012. Born in Nicolosi, Sicily, Italy, a son of the late Antonio and Edna (Bonnano) Signorelli, his wife, The Rev. Frances M. (Ascolesi) Signorelli, died March 16, 1998. John was a corporal with the Marine Corps during World War II and was a member of Local 802 American Legion of New York City. He was a self-employed musician in the entertainment industry most of his life. He started his career in 1940 with Show Orchestras in the Massachusetts area. After boot camp, he was assigned to Bob Crosby's Orchestra to play at Marine camps in the Pacific. In November 1944 his division was ordered to invade Iwo Jima, music duty stopped, and the invasion began February 19, 1945. Surviving the battle, he was commissioned to occupation duty in Nagasaki following the war. Discharged in 1946, John settled in Brooklyn and worked with The Billy Butterfield, Gene Drupa, Harry James, Les Elart, Sammy Kay, Prez Prado orchestras in the Roseland and Arcadia Ballrooms. Seven Broadway Shows: Golden Boy, Gypsy, Hello Dolly, Sound of Music, Woman of the Year, Me and My Gal and Bye-Bye Birdie are part of his credits. He toured with Engelbert Humperdinck, Anna Maria Albergetti, Vic Damone, Rosemary Clooney, Cab Calloway, Hal Linden, Pearl Bailey, Donnie & Marie Osmond, Joel Grey, Roger Williams and many other headliners. Between tours he played on cruise ships for seven around-the-world trips. He also played with the namesake bands of Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. John even has two movie credits: The Wrong Man with Henry Fonda, and Zelig with Woody Allen. He then retired to Lancaster County, PA. Surviving is a daughter, Ena, wife of Joseph Romanelli, Brooklyn, NY; a son, Anthony J., husband of Sandra J. (Maldonado) Signorelli, Stevens, PA; 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by a brother, Phil Signorelli, Lawrence, MA. John had preplanned a private interment with his late wife at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Lebanon County, PA.