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The family of Steven Pettes uploaded a photo
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
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Bill Scoffield posted a condolence
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Greatest sympathy to all Steve's loved ones. Sorry to have missed Steve, but we lost contact in the late 60s. Most memorablel occasion when we were young together, 1965 to 69 in St. Catharines, Steve played with the "Niagara Symphony Orchestra" under Matt Glinski, and I played the 'cello in the same orch. At the opening of Centennial College, the orchestra was present, and we had to play the Purcell "Trumpet Tune" as a processional for all the dignitaries, including William Davis. This is the one which starts with three notes the same pitch. Glinski had used up all our practice time arguing with the concert master (in Italian) about whether the first note of the Emperor Waltz should be played with an up-bow or down-bow, and we had no idea of the speed he intended for the trumpet tune. He gave us the usual cautionary 4th beat (up beat) to bring us in together, and to set the tempo, but it seemed inordinately slow. He meant it! I remember having time during the first note to look at Steve, and for him to look back, with eyes slightly bulging and disbelief pouring out. The note lasted a lifetime, but Steve made every second of it interesting, and carried on in the same vein to the end... I have never heard such a noble and inspiring version of the Purcell, due to a musician beyond compare. And a great friend.
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Arthur Wiebe posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
He was my first trumpet teacher. I remember his compassion and respect.
Dr. Art Wiebe
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Tony & Mary Valle posted a condolence
Monday, September 12, 2016
Please accept our deepest condolences. We are so sorry we cannot join you and are sending all of you our positive thoughts.
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T.J. & Diana Donnelly posted a condolence
Monday, September 12, 2016
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
T.J. & Diana
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Laurel and Stuart Bentley posted a condolence
Friday, September 9, 2016
Alex, Tammy, Tabitha and Nicole. Our deepest sympathies on the passing of your Father and Grandfather. May you share fond memories to ease the pain of your loss.
Sincerely,
Laurel and Stuart
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Wendy Priolo posted a condolence
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Tammy, Alex and family, I would like to offer my condolences for your loss. Thought and prayers are with you in this time of grief. May you find comfort in each other and remember the good times and fond memories shared with your dad and grand father.
My deepest sympathy,
Wendy
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Judi and Larry Dore posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
It's always so hard to lose a parent, or a grandparent. It's like a little light inside you, or a little piece of you is gone forever. Remember the good times, tuck them away in your heart, and retrieve them when you need a smile or comforting thought. My love to you all. Judi Hada Dore
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Sheila & Dana Di Monte posted a condolence
Monday, September 5, 2016
Dear: Natasha & family
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless Steven's soul!
Respectfuly
The Di Monte family
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Larry Allen posted a condolence
Saturday, September 3, 2016
I am one of the many lucky people to have had Steve as a teacher. His humour, his patience, and his passion for music helped guide my career and my life. I remember the beautiful tone of his trumpet, and I believe that sound was an extension of the person- warm, joyous and vibrant. We have lost a wonderful teacher and musician.
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Myra Kennedy posted a condolence
Friday, September 2, 2016
Steve will always be remembered by his friends at The Peninsula Orchestra where we appreciated his dedication to rehearsals and performances on the double bass. He was truly a valuable member of the group. He was a kindly person who won the respect of many. Our condolences go to his family and close friends.
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Graham Young posted a condolence
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Steve Pettes was also for many years the trumpet and brass instructor at McMaster University where he was my teacher. He was one of the finest players I knew and his carreer included playing for Mantovani and Henry Mancini. He always was ready with good advice to students and played and mentored with the Brock Winds in later years.
Many of his students achieved significant professional careers including Erik Schultz.
My condolences to his family and friends.
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Alicia and Greg Foster lit a candle
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
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Alicia and Greg Foster posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Both Greg and I would like to express our condolences to Alex Julia and Tasha. We are very sorry for the loss of your father. Our prayers are with you all during this sad time.
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Jeff Sadrian posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Sadly enough, I didn't know Mr. Pettes until I had the pleasure of meeting him during his most recent birthday celebration. A true gentleman, impeccably dressed and groomed was as charming as I had heard him to be from his beautiful daughter, my lovely fiancè, Julia. I wish I had met him much before then, as judging by the tributes in his passing, I definitely would have enjoyed his apparent charm, elegance and many qualities I understand he possessed. God bless his soul!
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David Gabriel posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
I have long wanted a Bach C trumpt. My teacher told me "to wait until the right one finds you." Well, I did, and it was the perfect alignment of the stars. Many conflicting factors melted away when I had the opportunity to make a 20 minute trip to Brant while spending the day on business in Hamilton. A Bach C Trumpet so beautiful was listed on Kijiji for a price that demanded attention. The owner was paring down his many instruments. When I found out the original owner was Steve, I knew it had to be the one. He was a discerning man who too great care of his horns. After owning the horn for only a few days, so proud of its pedigree, I learn of this deeply sad news. I knew Steve for a couple years in the Brock Wind Ensemble. I was terrified just starting out. He was warm and encouraging. His comportment demanded great respect. I missed him when he left the Wind Ensemble and I will miss the opportunity to see him again. But, it is a striking coincidence that his horn has found its way back to St. Catharines and with someone who thought so highly of him, just before he passed. I hope I can do the horn justice, Steve.
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Jean Cringan posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Steve Pettes was a tremendous influence and shaped my life. I first met Steve when I enrolled in wind classes at Port Weller School in Grade 6. He decided I had "horn lips" and suggested I take up the French horn. That started my life-long interest in the horn and I still play today in various concert bands. He always taught with patience and humour. His coaching with the St. Catharines Youth Orchestra and the Brass Choir were invaluable. He was a great musician and mentor and will be missed. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family.
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Stuart Laughton posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Steven Pettes was a memorable and inseparable part of my early life, and the lives of other St. Catharines kids who became life-long music lovers as a result of his unsurpassed love of music. In particular I remember the brass ensemble he conducted, which promoted the then-new public school instrumental program by performing at Home & School meetings throughout the city (these were on Tuesday nights and the ladies always served scalloped potatoes). Later on Steve and I collaborated professionally as trumpeters. Everyone knew about his unquenchable passion for music and learning to play double bass at a high level. I wouldn't change my musical upbringing for anything. Thank you, Steve!
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Peter Kellett posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
To my dear friend and mentor, Steven;
I first heard about you back in the early '70s as the guy to see about taking a few trumpet lessons. It didn't happen then. I finally met the man everyone talked about in the early '90s when I opened my independent record shop " Downtown Fine Music ". A quite formal and dignified gentleman with a faint Hungarian accent introduced himself to me as Steven Pettes. He was the kind of person who always made a strong and memorable first impression.
I told him that I had not played a note since my high school days in the late "60s. By this time I had heard about Steven's history as a performer, but more importantly as a teacher. And as a teacher of some of Canada's finest trumpet virtuosi. He was very generous with his advice to me and we crossed paths many times for the next few years. Steven always had something very constructive but also positive to say to me.
Eventually he asked me to join in some of his brass groups and eventually I joined him as a trumpet duo at the Cathedral in St. Catharines for Christmas and other special services for many years. Our collaboration continued for the next couple of decades and was always a treat and an honor for me. Part of the fun was when Steven would share stories from his past. Trumpet lessons with the legendary Helmut Wobisch of the Vienna Philharmonic, playing with Edmundo Ross, Henry Mancini, Toronto Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic and even Toronto's Victory Burlesque Pit Band were all part of his stories.
A couple of years ago when Steven suffered a minor stroke and had to quit performing he paid me my greatest compliment ever by asking me to give " him " trumpet lessons because he wasn't ready to quit just yet. It brought me even closer to Steven than ever before and we became close friends. Our lessons comprised mostly of conversation, with a little playing in between, but I will always cherish the memory of those sessions in his basement that went on for about a year and a half.
A lot of people will have fond memories of Steven, but none more than me.
God Bless you Steven Pettes. There is more great music in our world today because of you which means that you will always be with us, forever.
Peter Kellett
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Paul Ashdown posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
My thoughts are with Steven's family at this time. I began Trumpet lessons with Steven around 1960/61. I always looked up to him as being a fine gentleman. He taught me many good life lessons over the years while I was a student of his. I have looked back at those things learned and used them many times over, in my life. He made a big impact with me and was greatly admired by myself and I am sure many others. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Rhonda Gletherow & Ivan Elliott lit a candle
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
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Steve, we want to thank you for all your amazing music. You have been an inspiration, a mentor, a friend and a huge part of our musical family.
We love you very much and will miss you.
Our deepest condolences to your family, may you find peace in your memories and the music he leaves in our hearts.
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