Sebastiano "Captain Bob" Albergo

Sebastiano Robert Albergo, (better known as Capt. Bob of The Guys In The Neighborhood Band); beloved husband of Beverly. Loving son of the late Vito & Angela Albergo. Loving step-father of Deborah & Wendy DePass. Cherished grandfather to Michael DePass, passed away suddenly on March 1, 2014 He was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 18, 1935, into an immigrant family from Bari, Italy; who were very talented people. His father was an artist and electrician. His mother was a concert pianist. At the age of three his mother started teaching him to learn music and play the piano. Bob attended Lane Technical High School where his feelings for music flared up. He played first clarinet with the high school concert band. Years later while in Italy, he studied solo clarinet with Antonio Bacelli, of the Napoli Opera House. Sunday afternoons would find a quartet playing beautiful music in the Albergo household. Bob's mom would play piano, his uncle played saxophone, grandfather played strings and Bob played clarinet. His grandfather was very knowledgeable in arrangements, and would take well known classical and standard music, and arrange them into four piece quartets_ Years later, Bob continued this tradition with his grandson Michael, playing clarinet duets. Bob's love for music continued after his school years. He played first clarinet in over 25 bands throughout Chicago and the suburbs including bands at Triton College, Concordia University, West Suburban Concert Band, The Sicilian Band, and numerous social bands. He served in the U.S. Army and National Guard, 33rd Signal Battalion for 6 years. Bob was blessed with another talent, his art ability. He was a well-known art restorer in Chicago for 45 years. While in high school, he majored in commercial art. After graduation, he attended the American Academy of Arts and the Art Institute, both in Chicago. Soon he became active in the field of commercial art as a layout and packaging designer for six years. He also worked with various art studios in Chicago and later joined Findlay Galleries in Chicago, New York, Ft. Lauderdale and Paris: as an art expert. He studied art restoration with Felix Urbino, the famous Spanish art restorer with Findlay Galleries. Bob was an art restorer for many years and restored most of the valuable paintings in the Library at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago. He also restored pieces for the Chicago Museum as well. During the early 1990's, he won 1st prize in the National Safety Poster Contest and was a member of the Who's Who in Interior Design (Barons) 1990-1991. He traveled throughout Europe collecting fine arts and antiques. Bob served many years on the Board of Directors for the Italian Mazzini Verdi Club, Franklin Park, II; and was also assistant treasurer, trustee and inventory control for the organization. Bob's father, who was also an electrician, was a self-taught artist and organized a group of young Italian artists in Chicago, a club called Anime' Arts (Soul and Arts), who organized art shows throughout the city. After a trip to Italy in 1958, Bob and his father began purchasing original oil paintings from Italian and French painters. Thus, in 1960, Creative Arts Gallery was formed. Both Bob and his dad operated the gallery for many years. Bob later left to start his own gallery, where he featured such services as framing, art sales and art restoration. His gallery featured American, French and Italian art work. He progressed from a small basement gallery to a 3,400 sq. ft. building in Chicago. His gallery existed from 1960 through 1999, until Bob and his wife Bev, retired to Grand Haven, MI. Since he first moved to Michigan, Bob became a member of the Scottsville Clown Band where George Wilson named him the "Italian Swordfish." He also played first clarinet with the Holland American Legion Band, the Zeeland regular and jazz bands; and the Grand Rapids Caulder Band. He was a member of John Seylhower's "Ambassadors" jazz group who played on Grand Haven's waterfront. Bob certainly brought his talents of music and the arts to Grand Haven for all to enjoy. For over seven years, he had his own band called "The Guys in the Neighborhood." They were well known throughout many social doings around the area; and are comprised of nine very talented and dedicated musicians, who played music in the style of Glenn Miller. Bob was very proud of their undertakings and have truly been another "light of his life!" While in New Orleans a few years back, Bob had the pleasure of playing together with Pete Fountain. Although Bob's utmost mentor was one of the greatest clarinet players, Artie Shaw; and he was known for his Tribute to Artie Shaw arrangement. Throughout Bev and Bob's 23 years together, Bob played in many orchestras and bands throughout the years, both in Illinois and Michigan. Recently, he left a special legacy... one which will always be remembered. He donated a majority of his personal musical tapes and videos, to the Archive Departments of these groups (some even went back to the 1960's). In addition, he donated many musical scores and manuscripts to the Blue Lake Music Camp here in Michigan. Also, in these 23 years, Bev has only missed 5 of her husband's many, many concerts! Bob was also an accomplished piano player and excellent emcee and story teller. Even though under tremendous duress during his trips to our North Ottawa Community Hospital, he would manage to tell some of his many jokes to the doctors and nurses. His talents and warm personality will be greatly missed! He loved our town and its' colorful people; and would often state: "The Lord truly brought us to paradise here in Grand Haven!" A memorial service for Bob will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2014, 11:00 AM at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Grand Haven, MI with Fr. William Langlois officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, Noon till 9:00 PM at the Clock Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Memorials to the Christian Haven Nursing Center in Grand Haven. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.