He was the best teacher I ever had at Greece Arcadia… Totally committed to his students, and as enthusiastic about music and teaching as any person could be. No matter what was going on at school (or beyond), when you walked into Mr. Zecchino’s choir room, you felt safe, respected and appreciated. He was the best!
As many in the Rochester area can attest, Ralph was a giant in the music world. I was privileged to know him and his wife, Sandy, for many years. I sang with him in a church choir at the former Central Presbyterian Church before he became music director at St. Charles Borromeo Church. It was my privilege to know Ralph’s wife, Sandy, since my elementary school days. (She was the vocal music teacher at the former Carthage School #8 in Rochester when I was in the seventh grade in 1962.) She was also the piano accompanist for the Greece Choral Society, which allowed me to reconnect with her after many years. I loved the couple years I sang with the Greece Choral Society. Despite Ralph’s attention to detail, he also had a great sense of humor. I will never forget him drawing a large nose on a blackboard whenever the chorus was not up to par. We knew we then had to do better.
My sympathies are with Sandy and the rest of Ralph’s family. I will always remember Ralph as a cherished friend and musical mentor.
The music community has lost a brilliant light. As a former student (Greece Arcadia High School, 1970s), I have carried with me lessons learned from Ralph Zecchino whenever I sing. Thank you for the many opportunities that inspired our journeys through music. You challenged us and we thrived. God bless you dear teacher and rest easy. May your memory be a joyous blessing to all who love you.
I met Ralph when I joined Greece Choral Society several years ago. He was a professsional in so many ways especially in directing a group of residents to perform as best we can. And he and Sandy did it so well. He touched so many lives in a positive manner. And Heaven’s choir is now better. God bless Ralph and his family.
We will never forget him.
Along with basketball and soccer, he was a good bowling teammate at Dewey Gardensother of Sorrows, Friday nights for many years
Watch for the lightening this spring, Ralph is rolling
Rest in peace my friend
I came thru the Greece Arcadia music department…late eighties….although I was in the band, of course we knew Mr Zecchino! A golden apple teacher. He always came out of the music room singing. Heaven’s music department just got one stronger. Condolences to the family.
What a beautiful artistic soul. I joined the Greece Choral Society when I needed something in my life that was positive. It was so much more. Ralph you hold such a special place in my heart and the time I spent with you and the choir will always remain a cherished memory.
The immense joy that Ralph spread through his gift of music, especially as the guiding force of St. Charles’ choir, is immeasurable. I also enjoyed my many chats with him and will miss his big smile. God rest your beautiful soul, Ralph.
I never met Ralph but knew of him from my close friends Art & Karen Lembo. What an amazing life story Ralph had as he undoubtedly brought joy and happiness to all around him.
Sandy,
I loved singing with Ralph at Greece Choral. I’m sure he is directing the angels in heaven right now. Please know you’re in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss seeing him at Izzy‘s!!
Thank you, Mr. Z., for a beautiful 4 years of music at Greece Arcadia. I had the honor and privilege of singing under your leadership. What a gift you were to so many people. You will be remembered fondly always….Rest in Peace.
Dear Zecchino Family,
I met Ralph shortly after I moved to Rochester from a very small farm town in PA.
It was in the band room at Olympia where he had the very first Greece Choral Society rehearsal. I was hooked for 20 or more years🎶❤️🎶.
Others will describe him and his legacy much better than I but I can say he was my mentor and only voice teacher whom I enjoyed so very much. His talent combined with master teacher skills were the very best and his character was the same. He will always be “ my choral and vocal coach”. God speed Ralph, May the Irish blessing carry a beautiful Italian man into paradise to assist in leading the heavenly choir. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Love, Cheryl McElhatten
Sandy, we have lovely memories of you and Ralph, especially those years at Sunday breakfasts. Ralph epitomized what a teacher and a Christian are all about and left a stellar legacy . God bless you all!
Ralph was a guiding light for students and colleagues alike. His positive personality was a beautiful conduit for his love of music and respect for others. My time as his colleague in Greece Central and especially at Arcadia High School will always be remembered with great appreciation and respect! Rest in Peace my friend.
He was the best teacher I ever had at Greece Arcadia… Totally committed to his students, and as enthusiastic about music and teaching as any person could be. No matter what was going on at school (or beyond), when you walked into Mr. Zecchino’s choir room, you felt safe, respected and appreciated. He was the best!
As many in the Rochester area can attest, Ralph was a giant in the music world. I was privileged to know him and his wife, Sandy, for many years. I sang with him in a church choir at the former Central Presbyterian Church before he became music director at St. Charles Borromeo Church. It was my privilege to know Ralph’s wife, Sandy, since my elementary school days. (She was the vocal music teacher at the former Carthage School #8 in Rochester when I was in the seventh grade in 1962.) She was also the piano accompanist for the Greece Choral Society, which allowed me to reconnect with her after many years. I loved the couple years I sang with the Greece Choral Society. Despite Ralph’s attention to detail, he also had a great sense of humor. I will never forget him drawing a large nose on a blackboard whenever the chorus was not up to par. We knew we then had to do better.
My sympathies are with Sandy and the rest of Ralph’s family. I will always remember Ralph as a cherished friend and musical mentor.
In memory of Ralph Zecchino
In memory of Ralph Zecchino
In memory of Ralph Zecchino
I met Ralph when I joined Greece Choral Society several years ago. He was a professsional in so many ways especially in directing a group of residents to perform as best we can. And he and Sandy did it so well. He touched so many lives in a positive manner. And Heaven’s choir is now better. God bless Ralph and his family.
We will never forget him.
Along with basketball and soccer, he was a good bowling teammate at Dewey Gardensother of Sorrows, Friday nights for many years
Watch for the lightening this spring, Ralph is rolling
Rest in peace my friend
I came thru the Greece Arcadia music department…late eighties….although I was in the band, of course we knew Mr Zecchino! A golden apple teacher. He always came out of the music room singing. Heaven’s music department just got one stronger. Condolences to the family.
What a beautiful artistic soul. I joined the Greece Choral Society when I needed something in my life that was positive. It was so much more. Ralph you hold such a special place in my heart and the time I spent with you and the choir will always remain a cherished memory.
The immense joy that Ralph spread through his gift of music, especially as the guiding force of St. Charles’ choir, is immeasurable. I also enjoyed my many chats with him and will miss his big smile. God rest your beautiful soul, Ralph.
I loved singing with Ralph at Greece Choral. I’m sure he is directing the angels in heaven right now. Please know you’re in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss seeing him at Izzy‘s!!
Dene Day c
person. My condolences.
Thank you, Mr. Z., for a beautiful 4 years of music at Greece Arcadia. I had the honor and privilege of singing under your leadership. What a gift you were to so many people. You will be remembered fondly always….Rest in Peace.
Dear Zecchino Family,
I met Ralph shortly after I moved to Rochester from a very small farm town in PA.
It was in the band room at Olympia where he had the very first Greece Choral Society rehearsal. I was hooked for 20 or more years🎶❤️🎶.
Others will describe him and his legacy much better than I but I can say he was my mentor and only voice teacher whom I enjoyed so very much. His talent combined with master teacher skills were the very best and his character was the same. He will always be “ my choral and vocal coach”. God speed Ralph, May the Irish blessing carry a beautiful Italian man into paradise to assist in leading the heavenly choir. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Love, Cheryl McElhatten
Sandy, we have lovely memories of you and Ralph, especially those years at Sunday breakfasts. Ralph epitomized what a teacher and a Christian are all about and left a stellar legacy . God bless you all!
Ralph was a guiding light for students and colleagues alike. His positive personality was a beautiful conduit for his love of music and respect for others. My time as his colleague in Greece Central and especially at Arcadia High School will always be remembered with great appreciation and respect! Rest in Peace my friend.