John Philip Testa Sr.

John Philip Testa, Sr., 84, of Ormond Beach, FL, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on July 31, 2011, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. John was born in Ansonia, CT on September 3, 1926, to the late Salvatore and Mary LoPresti-Testa.

John was a gifted pianist who began his piano studies at the age of four, and by fourteen, was performing with local bands throughout CT. He graduated from Ansonia High School, and in 1947, went on to study Piano/Music Theory at The Juilliard School. He received an A.A. Degree from Hillyer College. His studies were briefly interrupted in 1951, when he joined the U.S. Army and served as a member of the U.S. Army Band. It was in that same year, that he married his wife of 55 years, Angelina Mete. After leaving the Army, John went on to earn a B.S. in Music Education from the University of Hartford; an M.S. in Music Education at Western CT State College, and a Sixth Year Certificate in Music Education from the New York University Graduate School.

John and his wife settled in Orange, Ct with his three children. From 1955 through 1991, he taught in the New Haven Public School system at Cross High School, Bassett Junior High School, and Sheridan Middle School. John was appointed in 1966 as Consultant for the Elementary Schools of New Haven. He was also the Choir Director for Holy Infant Church in Orange, CT, an Adjudicator for the Milford Fine Arts Council, and Conductor for the Milford Chorale. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of The Lions Club, and of the Hartford-New Haven Federation of Musicians.

In retirement, John and his wife relocated to Ormond by the Sea, FL. From 1994 through 2004, he was an Adjunct Professor of Music at Daytona State College. John was a true gentleman, and a hard-working, dedicated father and husband. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughter Marylynn Miller, Ormond Beach, FL; his son, John Testa, Jr., San Francisco, CA; his daughter Carol Cusick, Derby, CT, and nieces, nephews and cousins. Along with his wife, John was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, Joseph Testa, Sr.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 27 at St. Mary’s Church, 5 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.volusiamemorialfunerals.com

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