Roger's obituary
Roger Pritchitt Thorpe of New Paltz; bandleader, educator and entertainer extraordinaire entered God’s Kingdom on Saturday, Dec 9, 2023 with his devoted wife at his side, having kept, to the end, his promise to always make her laugh.
Roger Thorpe and his twin brother, Richard, were born to Mary (Pritchitt) and Richard Thorpe, in Oceanside NY on 2/22/36. Early in life Roger demonstrated a natural gift for music. He began trumpet lesson at age 11 at the Columbus Avenue School in Freeport, NY and played his first solo, “The Song of India”, at the school’s spring concert 8 months later! His music teacher prophesied that Roger would “earn his living playing trumpet”.
Roger moved to Gardiner with his mother, brother, grandparents and great aunt at age 12 and attended the Gardiner 2-room schoolhouse. When his musical talent was discovered by his teacher, Roger was driven, once a week, to the high school to join in band rehearsals. At 15, Roger won local talent contests and won the opportunity to compete on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, playing and winning with his rendition of Sugar Blues. Scan the QR code at the bottom to enjoy the original audio
Roger had his first orchestra at age 16 and was much sought after for proms and dances in all the neighboring towns. Roger accompanied hymns and sang in the choirs of both Gardiner Reformed Church and the New Paltz Reformed Church throughout his life, always acknowledging the many blessings he had received from God.
At age 15, seeking a summer job, Roger heard that Mohonk Mountain House needed a trumpet player. He expected to be concertizing but discovered the job was for a bugler to “call” the guests to meals and activities throughout the day. He humbly took the job, but Mrs Francis Smiley, after hearing him playing quietly for himself one evening, told him to pick a spot across the lake where she would put up a music stand and permit him to do teatime concerts. Roger concertized from ‘Roger’s Perch” for the next 60 years. Roger’s trumpet playing was an integral and moving part of Mohonk’s Independence Day Celebration and Illumination of the Mountain for 60 years.
On Mohonk’s 100th anniversary Roger was asked by the Smiley family if he could provide “tasteful” music for the hotel’s first dance (that was not a square dance). He formed the Roger Thorpe Quintet and played Mohonk’s weekly dances as well as Hudson Valley weddings and parties for many years. Roger also created and ran Mohonk’s Music Week for 50 years.
Roger earned his Bachelor of Science from SUNY Fredonia, majoring in trumpet and minoring in conducting and cello, his Master of Music from Eastman School of Music, and his Professional Diploma from Columbia University. Roger taught music at the Fredonia High School for three years before coming “home” to teach at the new Dutchess Community College in 1965. His natural talent for entertaining made him a dynamic and memorable teacher. He retired as a full professor in 1995 and was honored to be named Professor Emeritus.
In 1970, while at DCC, Roger organized and directed the DCC Jazz Ensemble, providing students the opportunity to play original big band arrangements in a real orchestra. The Jazz Ensemble played concerts and dances all over the Hudson Valley to a wildly devoted fan base and earned manythousands of dollars for the DCC Scholarship Fund. Former student-musicians recall those years as a wonderful learning experience and the most fun they ever had!
When the DCC Jazz Ensemble was the warmup act for the Sammy Kaye Orchestra at an IBM Country Club Dance, Roger fatefully dedicated their last number, “In the Mood” to “America’s Number 1 Band Leader, Sammy Kaye”. After thanking Roger for his thoughtfulness, Sammy Kaye invited him to go on the band’s Florida Tour where Roger was introduced as “the Professor” and always played the show stopping “Sugar Blues”. Roger and Sammy developed a deep father/son relationship and, before he passed away in 1986, Sammy asked Roger to take over his orchestra, fulfilling Roger’s lifelong dream tolead an original Big Band.
Roger proudly directed the Sammy Kaye Orchestra for the next 33 years, traveling all over the world on tours and cruises. As a master of music and ad lib, it was a marvel of stage magic to watch him take a more reserved audience and bring them about with music and laughter. He was never more in his element than when he was on stage in front of an audience. Roger was inducted into the Big Band Hall of Fame.
Roger loved to tell jokes and relate stories of his life’s many adventures with a consummate storyteller’s attention to details and pacing, often while strumming his ukulele for effect. We will be telling and retelling these stories with joy and laughter for a long time to come. Roger was known for his wildly eclectic collection of hats which he wore boldly and with great pleasure.
Roger was a devoted, if unconventional, father and always invited his children to participate in his music adventures whether by singing with his bands or accompanying the band on road trips and cruises. He was extraordinarily proud of their own many and varied accomplishments. Roger’s grandchildren will have fond memories of PopPop playing trumpet and harmonica with them, as well as swimming, swinging on the hammock, and operating his recliner with him. They were the joy of his last years.
Roger was predeceased by his twin brother, Richard, and is survived by a half sister, Bonnie Halcomb.
Roger leaves behind his much beloved and devoted wife, Barbara, who was a steady presence and his “home”, and who cherishes the love and humor Roger brought to her life throughout their 44 years of marriage. Roger also leaves behind four daughters: Catherine Belastock (David), Laura Thorpe, Rebecca Thorpe (Clay Risher), Kaitlin Ruffini (Frank), one son: Roger ll (Stephanie), and five marvelously entertaining grandchildren; Allison, Warren, Madison, Winston and Roger lll.
