Joseph Fenico

Joseph Frederick Fenico was born January 16, 1928 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Guiseppe And Grace Fenico. He was the youngest of eight chidren . At the age of sixteen he was exposed to the first love of his life, jazz. Through meeting and interacting with various musicians, he learned how to play the trumpet, piano, as well as read and compose music to an exceptional level of proficiency. He was able to play everything from jazz to blues, and latin to classical. He was able to compose music for a 30 piece orchestra to a trio.

In 1950, he served in the army for four years during the Korean War. He was part of the army special parade services in which he played taps at the funerals of deceased soldiers, as well as revelry to awaken troops in the morning. Upon his discharge he achieved the rank of corporal.

Over the next thirty-five years he continued to play and write his music in public venues. He went back to school and received a Masters degree in Music from Lehman College. He became a public school teacher who excelled at his craft. He had the ability to teach children who had never seen a musical instrument to play the various instruments of the big band in an orchestra format. The public school system gave him awards of achievement and regognition for his ability to bring out the musical ability in children where previously there had been none.

Joe, as he was called, left this world on December 18, 2012. He is survived by his loving wife, Varnita, sons, John and Joseph, daughter-in-law, Shedera, grandchildren, Lovelle, Jordan and Devin, godchildren, Charles Corno and Phyllis Minor and a host of nieces and nephews whom he very much loved. He is pre deceased by his daughter, Cheri and his grandson, Derrick,Brother's and sister.

How Much You Mean To Me

You are my one and only love,

You are like a guiding star,

You guide me where ever I go,

Tho it be near or ever so far.

To me you are sweet life itself,

Yours was surely a miraculous birth,

Inspired only by the good Lord above,

because only He, could have sent you,

For a person like me to love.

You are the most important thing of life.

You are the air that I breathe.

The bread that I eat,

The water that quenches my thirst.

These are the essential elements of life.

Essential for the entire world to survive,

Without these, none of us would be alive.

Without your love, yes, I can live

But what good is life without love?

My heart and soul would surely wither and die.

So tell me my love, how much complaining,

Can one so lucky do?

I don’t need money or the things that it buy.

Because so few have a love as unselfish,

Faithful and truthful as you.

I’m the luckiest person in the entire world

Because you have made me your girl.

Written by me to you, Juanita – 5/11/63