Americole Remo Biasini, an accomplished musician, educator, and inventor, died Sunday, June 3, at the age of 77, after a 17-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born June 9, 1934, in Johnstown, N.Y. to Julio and Elisa Biasini, he learned to play mandolin and banjo at a young age from his Uncle Henry. Later he mastered the trumpet (his favorite instrument), directed a high-school swing band called the Stardusters, and became the first member of his family to attend college. Known also as Cole, Harry (after his idol Harry James), Lello, and Lalo by friends and relatives, he graduated with honors from The State University of New York, Potsdam with a degree in music education in 1956. After teaching for two years at the U.S. Navy School of Music, he earned a Master's in School Administration from The State University of New York, Albany.
In 1959 he met his future wife, Joan on a Study Abroad music tour through Europe and they married the following year. After several successful teaching assignments around New York state, he became Associate Director of The Manhattanville Music Curriculum Project in Washington, D.C. Federally-funded, the goal of this project was to develop a child-centered music curriculum for U.S. public schools. In 1970, Cole joined the music faculty at Western Washington University where he developed courses in Jazz History, Musicianship, and Electronic Music. His innovation and teaching skills were recognized by WWU in 1978 when he was given the Excellence in Teaching Award.
In 1982 Cole left academia to become a full-time inventor and product design consultant. He obtained several patents, primarily on music-related products, many of which are still sold and marketed throughout the world. In addition, while establishing his career as an inventor and consultant, he became an agent for Mutual of Omaha where he truly enjoyed helping people meet their insurance needs.
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Mr. Biasini
When he wasn't teaching, inventing, consulting, conducting, performing, publishing, or mentoring, Cole made time to support his children and grandchildren in their myriad activities. An avid reader and writer, he also made time for bowling, billiards, target and trap shooting, and occasionally gambling (he often won!). Cole and his family were also charter members of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church where he served as choir director for many years.
Preceded in death by his sister, Angelina, he is survived by his wife, Joan; sister, Amelia (Mike Myzal); brothers, Lino (Thelma Jane) and Julius; sons, David (Brenda) and Michael; daughters, Helisa (Keith Omey) and Joanna; grandchildren, Parker Omey, Brianna and Riley Cooper; and great-grandson, Jayden.
Cole will always be remembered for his can-do attitude, unending sense of humor, big hugs, ever-present smile, perseverance, mandolin and trumpet playing, and finding ways to turn a negative into a positive. We love him and miss him. The family thanks the caring staff of St. Joseph's Hospital and Christian Health Care Center in Lynden, WA, where he spent his final days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church in Bellingham WA. In lieu of flowers, please help find a cure for Parkinson's Disease by donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research at www.michaeljfox.org in memory of Cole Biasini.
We also invite you to share your memories of Cole. Online obituary, and guestbook by: Whatcom Cremation & Funeral, 360-734-7073, wcremation.com