Attilio 'Art' Mineo

Obituary Tuesday morning, July 27, 2010, Arthur "Artie" Francis Mineo passed away with his loving wife and son, Toni and Gene at his side at Tacoma General Hospital. Artie (as his friends knew him) was 91 years old. He was taken by pulmonary fibrosis. A resident of Tacoma since 1945, Artie was born to Italian immigrant parents (Joe and Maria Mineo) in Brooklyn, New York on August 28, 1918. Along with his two siblings (Gene and Stella), Artie's early years were energetic and colorful. He often regaled his many Tacoma friends with stories of Brooklyn street life. He fell in love with music while a student at Bushwick High School in Brooklyn. His plans to enter Julliard School of Music were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. In the Army, he was part of the White House band that performed for President Roosevelt and was commended for raising large amounts of money for the war effort. He met his future wife, Antoinette (Toni) Lento while stationed at Fort Lewis Washington. Their common bonds were music, Italian food, and joy. On July 22, 2010 Artie and Toni celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Mostly self taught, Artie composed five operas, the official symphonic music of the Seattle's World Fair, recorded for Columbia and Epic Records in New York and wrote many songs. The musical work he was most proud of was the music he composed with his wife, Toni. A professional musician all his life, he earned his "bread" working in big bands on the east coast in his early years, and in Tacoma at the New Yorker night club where he was the band leader for 23 years. In his career he worked with many well known musicians such as Paul Whiteman, Vincent Lopez, Skitch Henderson, Flip Phillips, Corky Corcoran and many more. He received awards from Brigham Young University, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans. A Rosary will be said at Holy Cross Catholic Church Friday, July 30 at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 31. In lieu of flowers send donations to Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5510 North 44th Street, Tacoma, or Nativity House, 2304 Jefferson Avenue, Tacoma.