Angelo J. Pillo

BASOM - Angelo J. Pillo, 79, of Basom, passed away Sunday (April 5, 2020) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Mr. Pillo was born January 23, 1941, in Batavia, NY, the son of the late Philip and Rose (SanFratello) Pillo. He graduated from Batavia High School and the State University of New York at Fredonia. Prior to his retirement, he was the Junior/Senior High School band director at Byron-Bergen Central School for 25 years. He began his career as a Junior High School band director at Oakfield-Alabama Central School. He also was a band director for one year at Notre Dame High School following his retirement. An active member in his church, Angelo formed and directed a concert band there for 14 years. He was a long time member of the Alexander Fireman’s Band and enjoyed marching and playing the tuba in the marching band. He had been affiliated with the Batavia Concert Band since 1956, and recently was a guest conductor at a special tribute concert. During a recent trip to New Zealand, Angelo was invited to conduct the National Air Force Band of New Zealand and it was one of the highlights of his life.   Angelo enjoyed spending time with his family, being outdoors, reading biographies, and taking walks. But his greatest love and passion was for music and teaching. In his more than 30 years as a band director, he touched the lives of thousands of students, many of whom have kept in touch with him over the years. He loved conducting, marching, and taking his band on trips. Trips to Washington, D.C., England, Montreal and Quebec, and marching before Santa Claus in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade were several of his favorite trips. Summers were spent with sheet music on the floor of the living room playing music, picking out pieces for his band, and composing sections. Long after his retirement he gave private lessons and continued marching and playing music. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila (Prescott) Pillo; children, Stephanie Kellogg of Basom, Brian (Melissa) Pillo of Batavia, and Valerie Pillo of Niagara Falls; grandchildren, Abby Kellogg, Logan Kellogg, David Pillo, Erica Dibble and Ryan Dibble; brother, Carl Pillo, sister-in-law Karen Pillo, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Angelo is predeceased in death by sister RoseMarie Pillo; brother Phil Pillo; and sister-in-law Margaret Pillo. A memorial service will be held at a later date at East Shelby Community Bible Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Angelo’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 28105 or www.stjude.org/donate .