Obituary of Peter S. Chido

Peter S. Chido, 94, of Pawling, NY. Former resident of New Rochelle and Larchmont, NY. Peter (née Chiodo) was born June 11, 1919, in New Rochelle, NY. He leaves behind brothers Chic and Gus; Daughter Claudia; Son Jim; Grandchildren Luke, Andrew, Zack, James and Mira; daughter-in-law Lisa Mattfeld-Chido; and son-in-law Don Jiskra. Wake takes place at John J. Fox Funeral Home in Larchmont from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. Internment will take place Saturday (Nov. 23) at Greenwood Union "With a Smile and a Song" Upon graduating from New Rochelle High School, Peter played his trumpet professionally and toured with several Big Bands, including those of Bobby Byrnes and Ina Ray Hutton. During this time he continued to help his beloved, widowed mother Rose raise his four younger brothers. He performed at two of FDR's Inaugural Balls, and entertained the troops during World War II with one of the U.S. Army Air Force Bands. He backed up stars such as Bob Hope and Maurice Chevalier and befriended famed French Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Shortly after discharge he toured with the ground-breaking Ray McKinley Band. But his sights were now set on teaching, so he enrolled at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education, where he completed both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. At Vanderbilt he met and married Mary Talantis of Columbus, MS, who passed away 14 years ago. They raised two children, Claudia and Jim. He also leaves behind his brothers Chic and Gus; brothers Michael (Mo) and John passed away earlier. Upon graduation from Vanderbilt, Peter taught in the Nashville area. During that time he was also a member of the Nashville Symphony, lead trumpeter on the "Sunday Down South" radio program, and performed for producer Owen Bradley (a chief architect of the "Nashville Sound") with acts such as The Carter Family and Minnie Pearl. One book about the Nashville music scene cited the "red-hot" jazz sound Peter brought to Nashville. But his goal was to give something back to the community that had helped nurture him, so he returned to New Rochelle in the late '50s to teach instrumental music at Albert Leonard JHS and direct the junior high and high school bands; several of his students went on to become prominent Jazz musicians. After retiring from teaching he worked for the Town of Mamaroneck Permits Office. He continued to play his trumpet, leading the Peter Childs Band and also performing with the Depot Down Home Dixieland Jam and Jelly Jazz Band. He now plays duets in heaven with his hero, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong.