Submitted by: Dan Rich

Tony Rulli

Aug. 18, 1920 - Jan. 25, 2001

South Bend Tribune 2/18/2001

Tony Rulli, saxophone/clarinet player, jazz/dance band leader and conductor, passed away on Jan. 25, 2001, on the island of Montserrat in the British West Indies, where he and his wife Nancy have a home.

Tony Rulli and his Society Orchestra, as his band was named, was very popular in this area throughout the `50s and `60s, and he played at such places as the Palace Royal, Rose Ballroom, Reids Casino, Avalon Ballroom, The Morris Inn, various country clubs, as well as the Oliver and LaSalle hotels.

From 1953 until his retirement in 1985, he was associated with the Selmer Company out of Elkhart, Ind., where he was the leading salesman for band instruments in the New York City area. He was friends with jazz musicians throughout the country, including such names as Count Basie, the Dorsey brothers, Stan Getz, Louis Armstrong, Harry James, Dave Brubek, even Frank Sinatra, and many others. He also arranged music for Lawrence Welk and Benny Goodman.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, Saverio Rulli; his mother, Anna Rulli (Roszapovits); and by his sister, Carmela, and his brother, Phillip. After losing his wife Merrylin in 1982, he is survived at this time by his second wife, Nancy; a daughter, Antoinette (Toni) of Benicia, Calif.; a son, Tom of Mishawaka, Ind.; and a son Ross of Rockport, Mass. Tony is also survived by 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Tony was a faithful husband and father to the very end of his life. His good humor and smile will be missed by many people. His lifelong friend and former band member, Dino Focosi, helped to write this brief memoir. Thanks Dad for making us all laugh.

In deference to Tony's last wish, a memorial service was held on Feb. 3 in Rockport, Mass., involving immediate family members.

Editor: He was a former resident of Mishawaka IN.