John Mariano Obituary

John Salvatore Mariano
August 20, 1939 - July 9, 2025
John Salvatore Mariano, born in Middletown, CT on August 20, 1939, and formerly of Suffield and Enfield, CT, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025. He was a beloved fiance, father, grandfather, and friend who touched the lives of many with his kindness and generosity of spirit.
John was a proud graduate of the Hartt School of Music, where he studied under Alexander Lepak, and made lifetime friends, among them Howard Doty, Stephen Little, Howard Kurhan, and Bill Kuhne. Following graduation, and known for his outstanding percussion and drum skills, he toured with the Tony Pastor Band as well as the Jimmy Dorsey Band under the direction of Lee Castle.
Fellow notable Middletown musicians Bobby Zimmitti and Joe (Skinny) Porcaro, father to founding members of the rock group Toto, who found remarkable success in Los Angeles, encouraged John to join them and take advantage of the opportunities that came with the LA music scene. While tempting, John found he had a stronger calling and that was teaching young folks.
He continued as a familiar face in the greater Hartford area alongside local players Ed Cerveny, Nick de Nucci, Seb Giacco and Bob DePalma at local venues, among them, Mountain Laurel, Banner Lodge, Schine Inn and the Hartford Symphony.
His love of jazz and passion for education led him to be Band Director at Enrico Fermi High School where he often said his years at Fermi were the best of his life. Many of his students including Joe Ferreira, Ellen Wilber, Dave Wilber, Tim Kelly and Vincent Cassetta went on to be music teachers and professional musicians. In 2016 John was honored by his former students for his significant contributions to the music education program at Fermi.
Additional degrees earned at AIC and UConn brought him the position of Director of Music Education for Enfield, CT.
Following his retirement John was in demand as Adjudicator for MAJE and MICCA festivals. In addition, John played percussion for a tour with the Shrine Circus. He continued to foster younger musicians and loved guiding them, especially local favorite Ed Fast.
John was a member of Atlanta Federation of Musicians, Local 148-462.
He leaves behind fiancee Judith J. Heit of Atlanta; ex-wife Nancy Glass of Suffield, CT; daughter Carla Correia (Peter) of East Hampton, CT, and grandchildren Matthew and Olivia; son John C. Mariano (Judith) of Glastonbury, CT, and grandchildren Elijah and Charlotte; daughter Jana Matra (Peter) of Washington Township, NJ, and grandchildren Michael and Grace; two brothers, William Mariano (JoAnn) of Middletown, CT, and Robert Mariano (Stacy) of Kennebunk, ME. He was predeceased by his brother Salvatore (Barbara).
A special thank you to family friends and former students, Leonard Graben and Larry Carbonell, who continued to remember John after so many years.
A heartfelt thank you to the team at the William Breman Jewish Home of Atlanta and the Weinstein Hospice Group for their superb and attentive care, which brought John much comfort in his final days.
There will be no visitation or calling hours. Burial will be private. Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna is in charge of arrangements. www.carmichaelcares.com 770-435-4467