Extraordinary musician, cherished husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all. A bigger than life personality and the ultimate storyteller—who brought every gathering to life with humor and wit.
Patrick Iannone, better known by his family, friends and fans as Buddy Yannon, 94, passed away or as he and his best friend Don Horn preferred to describe it, he “took the train”, on May 16 after a long, heartbreaking battle with Alzheimer's.
Buddy was born to proud, Italian immigrant parents who raised 8 children in a cold water flat during the great depression. No matter the circumstance, he always said that was among the best times of his life, with his brothers and sisters always around him—a testament to the love this family shared and continues to share.
With no high school education he went on to join the army as a bugler from 1943 to 1946 and as a young 16 year old, he joined the Charlie Spivak Band as a 1st trumpet player and became one of youngest professional players in big band history, traveling all over the country from 1942 to 1946. His musical career included the likes of Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra, The Dorsey Brothers, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and many more. He was also a National Claims Manager at Chubb Insurance Company for 25 years.
Buddy was a guy’s guy, a self-described “ bar man” who adored his family time, which included many trips to Monmouth Race Track, where he won big and lost big—but was never, ever sour. His favorite place to be was in Sea Isle City with his brothers and nephews, where stories were made, jokes were told and laughter was heard far into the night. Most of these nights also included his favorite food—raw clams that his nephews would shuck for him straight from the ocean.
He had a grand personality that affected all who knew him. He taught us all how to be a loyal friend, how to always stick up for the underdog, how to place a bet and above all, how to love your family. His spirit will be carried on by by his loving, beautiful wife Helen Maffei who he was married to for 65 years, by his children Stephanie Marucci (Nick Marucci) and Jimmy Iannone (deceased), his grandchildren Casey (Jessica LaVolpe Marucci), Dustin (Alicia LeRoy Marucci) and Emily (Nick Ceglia) and his two great grandchildren who were the newest loves of his life, Benny and Lucy Marucci. He will also be missed by his sister Kitty Demarco, his many nephews and nieces who he cherished and his countless friends. In a way he didn’t belong to one person, he belonged to everyone. Centi Ani!...unless you’re 99.
In liu of flowers please make a donation to The Buddy Yannon Fund via alz.org.
Friends and family are welcome to gather on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 2pm-6pm at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home (145 E Mt Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ). A funeral mass for Buddy will be held on Monday, May 21st at 10am at St. Joseph Church (44 Benvenue Ave, West Orange, NJ). Followed by a celebration of his life which will include spirits, storytelling, jokes and lots of love—in typical Buddy Yannon fashion.
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