Otello “Tello” Meucci
January 2, 1929 - July 7, 2022
Otello “Tello” Meucci, age 93, of Bethany Beach, DE, passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, July 7, 2022.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was a son of the late Guiseppe and Niccolina (Niccoli) Meucci. Tello attended Mackin Elementary School and graduated from Coughlin High School. He went on to attend the Boston Conservatory of Music and Boston University. Tello proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He then went on to attend Catholic University.
Tello had many professional accomplishments. He began his career in Washington, DC as a music teacher for the public school system. Tello enjoyed his time as Choir and Music Director at Christ United Methodist Church in Landover Hills, MD. He was a salesman for Borg Warner, where he helped develop the System 80 Teaching Machine. He retired from Borg Warner at age 55 in 1984.
Tello was very active in the music community throughout his life. He started the Otello Meucci Orchestra while in high school. He was a member of Virginia Grand Military Band, University of Maryland Community Band, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, Salisbury Community Band, Boston University Alumni Band and the Delmarva Big Band.
Tello loved the ocean, tennis, golf, sailing, and bocce ball on the beach. His favorite hobby was spending time with his loving family.
Tello had a big smile and a bigger heart!
In addition to his parents, Tello was preceded in death by his brother, Fred Meucci and first wife, Joyce Meucci. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Gail (Kauffman) Meucci; loving children, Laura Hicks (Bill), Janet Mills, Matthew Meucci (Karen), Scott Gore (Larissa), Sharon Rubin (Ed), Tom Gore (Annette), and Brian Gore (Lisa Moore) and grandchildren; Kelly, Jeremy, Jessica, Ryan, Dante, Cara, Elle, Savannah, Joshua, Derek, Nathan, Ulyana, Genevieve, Ksenia, Thaddeus, Julie, Katelyn, Tanner, Sydney, Alex, Serena, and Jordan and great-grandchildren; Micah, Caleb, Aidan, Ayla, Atticus, Soren, Carson, and Rylee.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 pm until 3 pm on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE where a memorial service will begin at 3 pm. A second memorial service will be in the fall in Bethany Beach. Interment will be held later.
Any friends or family who are unable to attend the services for Tello may live stream the service by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tello’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Ste. 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or online by clicking here.
Sandra Meucci
Otello Meucci, my uncle and most beautiful person, will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him, most especially his family. He affected us all in deep and profound ways and a man like that never really dies. Yet we will all miss his winsome smile, twinkle in his eyes, jokes, stories, and the way he lit up the room. As his spirit goes on to light up the heavens may he rest in peace.
Nina S Galerstein
I was very sad to learn of Otello’s passing. I had the privilege of playing flute in a few Possum Point Players orchestras when Otello played clarinet. We had such fun! He was a joy to hang out with and make music. I can also remember being at parties at the beautiful beach house he shared with Gail. Those were wonderful times – and I am lucky to have known him!
Todd Riddleberger
I had the pleasure of getting to know Otello as a member of the Salisbury Community Band and the Delmarva Big Band. Aside from being an outstanding musician, his personality always lit up the room. We always had more fun in rehearsals AND performances when he was there. My sincerest condolences to his family and friends…
Bill Hicks
Tello was like a 2nd father to me, in fact I’ve known him longer at 47 years. He taught me what it means to be kind and generous to others, through his treatment of me (#1 son-in-law).
Virginia
Tello was greatly blessed to be married to his wife of 40 years, Gail.
Julie Kakos
Sending all my love, and deepest condolences to the Meucci & Gore families. I am so sorry to hear of Grandpa Tello’s passing. I had the pleasure of meeting him last summer, and he always made sure to ask how we were all doing, if we got to eat, and had plenty of jokes. It was very easy to see in just a brief time how big his heart is indeed! A pure, sweet, angel to the core. I will cherish the time I was able to spend with him, and will keep him in my thoughts and prayers <3
Carolyn Kachovec
As an elementary school child, I sat down at the Meucci’s Grand Piano and with one finger played the song Tammy. Mr. Meucci heard it and smiled ~ he then sat down and played the song Tammy with beauty and complexity. To this day it remains one of the greatest experiences of amazement ever to have crossed my way. He was amazing. May peace be with you as you navigate this world without him.
Matt Meucci
What a great father. He loved life to the fullest and introduced me to so many great things – tennis, basketball, dirt bikes, bicycling, music. The performing arts – concerts, broadway, operas – he he truly appreciated performance greatness and the power of music. After his divorce (in 72?) he spent so much time with me after school and weekends – riding dirt bikes, basketball, playing music with me learning drums, lots of tennis, going to new Cap Center to see the Bullets grow into championship team. Going to Chuck Levins music was always exciting. He often took my friends and I to ride bicycles at National Airport trail. After a rough patch in high school he got me through, then interested in college leading to my graduation from U of Miami. Our time in Virgin Islands sailing were awesome. Numerous times he crewed on a friends 55 foot sailboat ‘Matchless’, going between Annapolis and Virgin Islands – pretty serious stuff in the open ocean. He loved being in NYC and went often, almost getting a place there in the 80s. He actually enrolled at U of Miami Spring 88 my final semester there ala Rodney Dangerfield – what a great time that was going out to eat, and sitting in his on-campus apartment watching the Redskins win the Super Bowl. Many rock and jazz concerts – Maynard Ferguson, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Pass at Blues Alley and dozens of others. He exposed me to greatness and showed me almost everything I love in life.
A long time ago he told me maybe heaven was your memory being alive in your loved ones and friends – – people you affected in life. He’s touched so many people from family to those he came in contact with, his memory and spirit are carried on. Everyone loved and remembered him.
The biggest thing that counters my sadness is knowing what a wonderful life he had, in particular our times together and his last 40+ years having such a wonderful wife and getting to live by the ocean, which was a dream for him. Attending Dad’ and Gail’s wedding at the beach house, my grandfather Joseph Meucci told me with a tear in his eyes “Your father has a lot of friends”. It was a great day, a great life.
Love you Dad.
Matt
Janet Meucci Mills
Otello Meucci, my Dad, will remain my hero. He was like a lighthouse, steady and full of wisdom and good advice. He brightened the lives of everyone he encountered with a smile or fun joke. He took many under his wing with genuine interest in their well-being. He made people feel good about life and was a constant source of stability and altruism. He loved life, loved all people, renewed my faith and belief in humanity throughout my life. Dad lived every day to it’s fullest. Family was cherished and embraced by him and he showed us all love, compassion,new and fun experiences on a regular basis. Dad was one of God’s best examples of man on earth. He was a blessing to all of us. I am so fortunate to have been his daughter and have him as a role model. My life has been so much better because of him. He was a father figure to my friends and other children he encountered. There will never be another like him and I will miss him until the day we are reunited in heaven. I thank God for my father and ask God to keep him in his love for eternity ❤️
Mike and Ellen Johnson
Tello – what a pleasure it was to get to know you and your darling wife Gail at Bethany Beach. I’m so envious of your shock of curly white hair and engaging smile. I’ll always remember you hanging around the beach volley ball net chatting with friends and neighbors. I remember well hearing you play in the Salisbury Community Orchestra concert with Jennie and her bassoon one summer evening.
You will be missed forever in our hearts!
Love,
Mike and Ellen
Jennie, Sarah and Kate
Joe and Nita Pendergraph
Gail and Tello….you were the very first owners that we met when we bought at Bethany Village! It was instant love for both of you, and we treasured you while living there for almost 25 years! We have since moved to Southport, NC, but will remain connected to you now. Otello was magic – he lit up a room, and was admired by all. Our children and grandchildren adored you both…..Megan graduated from Boston University with honors, and Tello played at her graduation! How cool was that? We loved being with both of you …..we moved to Southport, NC in 2011….and Anita, who played a lot of tennis, became involved in NC….met Maggie Anderson…played on team with her…..and found that there was a connection with Otello and Gail! So, dear Gail, please try to keep in touch with us! Much love, Nita and Joe Pendergraph