Michael C VASZARI

28 DEC 1940 - 9 NOV 2017

• BIRTH: 28 DEC 1940, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 9 NOV 2017, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 24 FEB 1962, St Patricks, St Joseph County, IN

1.  Angela VASZARI
2.  Ronald M VASZARI

INDEX

[N16315] Michael “Piano Man” Vaszari
Dec. 28, 1940 - Nov. 9, 2017
SOUTH BEND - A South Bend Music Legend, Michael Charles Vaszari, 76, passed away softly and entered heaven surrounded by his loving family, listening to his band playing “Georgia On My Mind” on Thursday, November 9, 2017 in Memorial Hospital. Room 217 (ICU) was filled with abundant love, celebrating Mike's life. His last wish was to hold on to see his sister, Annie, traveling from Milan, Italy. Mike got his wish. Now he is in heaven on his piano with his favorite drummer/wife, Barbara and their biggest fan, son Ron. Mike was born December 28, 1940 in South Bend to the late Michael and Marie (Harringer) Vaszari. On February 24, 1962, Mike married Barbara L. (Fish) Vaszari. She preceded him in death on October 14, 2000. Mike was also preceded in death by his son, Ronald M. Vaszari, an infant sister, Susan Marie and his beloved dog, Misty. Survivors of Mike include his daughter, Angie and her husband, Oscar Vaszari-Evans of Muncie, IN; granddaughters, Angel & Hailee Grace Evans; granddog , Bentley; daughter-in-law, Laura Vaszari; a sister, Annie Pacini; brother-in-law, David Fish; companion, Lucy Deguch; a niece, Dana Fish; and nephews, David Fish, Checco Pacini and Nino Pacini. Mike was a 1958 graduate of Washington High School. As a proud Panther Alum he attended sporting events, nominated athletes for their hall of fame and was a coordinator of the class reunion committee. He retired from the Osco Drug Store, previously known as Tuesley Drug. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks & Moose Lodge, Isaac Walton League, St. Joseph Youth Club, Holy Cross Alumni Club, and was Captain of the St. Patrick's Ushers Club for 50 years. Mike was a classically trained pianist but fell in love with rock and roll as a teenager. His first band was “The Accents”. He then became the band leader in multiple bands: Mike Vaszari Combo, Trio, Quartet, and Sophisticated Jazz Trio. He hosted Mike Vaszari Blues and Jazz Jam and held musician breakfasts. Mike was a huge advocate for local musicians and supported local live entertainment. Not only did he have a talent for playing music, he also composed music and was a freelance writer for major greeting card companies. Mike coached basketball and little league baseball for teams his son played on. He was an avid Cubs, Bears and Notre Dame fan and enjoyed attending sporting events with Lucy. Mike was a gentle, kind, sharply-dressed man who loved his family, friends and faith. Instead of Goodbye, Go Irish! Visitation for Mike will be held 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Rd. with a Rosary to be prayed at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Wednesday, November 15, 2017 in St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. For those who like to “Jam” an additional Wake will be held at Fiddler's Hearth from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and during acoustic open stage from 8:30-close. The family would love for all musicians to come and play in Mike's honor. In lieu of flowers, enjoy live music and support local musicians in Mike's honor.
Condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net. Published in South Bend Tribune on Nov. 12, 2017

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Area musician's illness spurs meander down memory lane.
July 06, 2006|NAUSHEEN SHAIKH Tribune Correspondent

Mike Vaszari still can transform a room. A musician for more than 50 years and a South Bend resident for even longer, he has spent his lifetime contributing to the local music scene. Vaszari, 65, began his interest in music at age 4 when his father encouraged him to study classical piano. But on a Saturday afternoon in 1956, after watching Billy "Stix" Nicks and Ron Wiggins perform on the Club 46 teen dance party show, his true passion was sparked -- rock 'n' roll. Within a year, he had formed The Vibratos, a close-knit trio that would play for less than $5 apiece just to be heard. With talent, passion and dedication, Vaszari soon landed a spot in the best rock 'n' roll band in the area -- The Accents. Among their many gigs were dances where teenagers would get together to rock out to live music. One who attended was Dr. David Spalding, who thought back to his visits to post-football game dances at the Rose Ballroom in Mishawaka. "Often, girls would stand together, and the boys would stand together, and then the girls would begin dancing with each other, and eventually, as the night wore on, the boys would begin dancing too. "Then you'd hook up with someone, and you'd walk them home because no one had cars back then. Everyone would have a good time," Spalding recalled. For Vaszari, out-of-town performances created special memories. "We used to play teen dances in New Carlisle," he said. "The kids would mob us for autographs, like we were famous or something." With more gigs than practice sessions, Vaszari's schedule was booked. He would spend his days working at a local drug store and his nights performing. "I played at a place called 'The Locker Room,' and we'd play till 2 or 2:30 in the morning, and I wouldn't go to bed," he said. "I'd just go get a donut and coffee and go to work." Vaszari's career slowed down significantly in 1962 when he married his wife, Barbara, and began to raise his children, Ronald and Angela. It was not until 1974 that he formed The Mike Vaszari Trio. The group became known as the "little band with the big band sound," but band member Jimmy Richardson was soon injured in an accident, leaving the group in need of a new drummer. With some persuasion from Vaszari, his wife stepped up and filled the void. With a noticeable surplus of energy, Barbara became known as "the drummer with dancing feet." "It always amazed me how she could shuffle her feet and never miss a beat on the high hat," Vaszari reminisced. In 1996, however, unfortunate news placed a damper on the excitement. Barbara was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy and, according to Vaszari, the only time she was pain-free was when she was playing. "Her oncologist, Dr. Juan Garcia, asked me if I could book more gigs for her, for that was her best therapy," Vaszari said. After Barbara passed away in 2000, 12 musicians played at her gravesite, and Vaszari was left searching for relief in his music. He soon formed his present-day band, the "Mike Vaszari Quartet," consisting of Wes Speake on saxophone, Joe Gyarmati on guitar, Jenny Yuhasz on drums and Vaszari on keyboards. Among the places that booked the band was TGIFriday's in South Bend, where the quartet played for over three years. "It was the only Friday's in South Bend that ever had entertainment," Vaszari proudly stated. "We packed the bar every Thursday night." In September 2005, Mike Vaszari was diagnosed with lymphoma of the brain. The cancer has taken a toll on his motor skills and has required monthly doses of chemotherapy. "At first, I couldn't coordinate my right and left hand," he said. "I'd look at a fork and not know what to do with it," he recalled. But his passion prevailed over pain, and Vazsari was playing again two weeks after his first chemo session. "I look up to him for his endurance and his fortitude," declared Ron Wiggins, fellow musician, best friend and namesake for Vaszari's son. "I don't know how he does it." "It is because of his friends and music that he gets through his illness," added another of Vaszari's good friends, Emma Alguirre. "And you may not see it, but he has a sense of humor you wouldn't believe." Wherever Vaszari's strength comes from, it has prevented cancer from dictating his life or ending his career. "I haven't hung up my rock 'n' roll shoes yet," he exclaimed with a smile. Mike Vaszari, from left, plays with The Accents in 1960 at Shula's Club in Niles. Also pictured are, from left, Joe Papai, Ron Raber, Dick Budd, and Dert Pustai.