My husband Frank Ferrucci, a composer, pianist, father, husband and awesome cook, passed away at home on July 9, 2025 at the age of 74.

Frank was born on May 21, 1951 and raised in Southington, Connecticut, to a fun-loving Italian family. The son of Elizabeth Faniola and Francis Ferrucci, he grew up watching his dear grandma Nana making pasta from scratch at home, and witnessed many arguments around the dinner table about the best eggplant and meatball recipes. That all sunk in, and he came to possess wonderful skills piloting the kitchen.

Meanwhile, the piano in the living room where his mom dabbled on the keys attracted the boy immensely, and Frank started taking lessons at 5 years old. At Southington High, the would-be class salutatorian was gigging with his band, with Mom Betty as the band’s chauffeur.

A trip to Woodstock with cousin Donna might have sealed his interest in music. After just a couple of years, his engineering courses at Tufts University were traded for Berklee College of Music. An avid skier since childhood, Frank frequently traded his musical talent for lift tickets in resorts across the country, always making friends wherever he went.

New York became home in the 1970s, first on the Bowery where many musicians of his generation lived and performed. Frank was a co-founder of Eightonal Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit devoted to promoting the performing arts, recording and arts education. From 1977 to 1980, Eightonal Coalition sponsored The Brook, a performance and rehearsal space for jazz, dance, poetry and performance art on West 17th Street. It became home to fellow artists and spawned collaborations, including several pieces for dance companies that Frank composed. Frank performed not just at The Brook but also Dance Theatre Workshop and many others. A few years playing with Gato Barbieri took Frank across the globe — and into Carnegie Hall. Lucky are the ones who heard him tell these stories, as Frank had a sense of humor, a great memory and a knack for storytelling!

His career in film music coincided with the arrival of his beloved daughter Carolyn. Film music became a career and overtook his performing days, with long hours in the studio, composing, recording or setting music to film, from National Geographic to feature movies. For years, Frank shared Passport Recording with partner Scott Lehrer, recording and making music together.

His love of Latin jazz might be the reason I came in the picture. After a blind date suggested by Nilson and Luisa Matta, I and my son Matheus joined Frank and Carolyn as a family in 1995. He loved his Brazilian residency card and adopted Brazil as his second country, thoroughly enjoying its culture and street life, including “pastel de feira.”

Our heart is warm for the extended family of friends Frank brought into our lives, starting with his kindergarten buddy turned brother Peter Smith — and growing from there. You know who you are!

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the Local 802 Emergency Relief Fund at https://erf.local802afm.org/donate