Raoul B. DiBlasi

Raoul B. DiBlasi of Tammany St., Kingston died Monday, May 3, 2010 at Albany Medical Center. He was 93. He was born in Brooklyn, a son of the late Nicasio and Francesca Salerno. He made his operatic debut at the Hippodrome on 7th. Ave. in New York City in the production of "Cavalleria Rusticana". As a tenor, he sang numerous major roles. Mr. DiBlasi also composed many ballads and taught piano and voice. During WW II, he served in the navy. For 21 1/2 years, he was a machinist/shipping clerk for the former Hucktrol. He retired in 1972. Mr. DiBlasi then worked for the Kingston Consolidated School for ten years, he was a parishioner of St. Peter's Church. His son Guy DiBlasi died November 21, 1995. Three brothers, John, Thomas and Joseph DiBlasi also died previously. Surviving are several dear friends including Doris Hamma, Maureen O'Neil, Christopher Kilroy and his wife Toni, Bonnie Monchik, Barry Montross and her husband John and the Thomas Gallagher family. A cousin Joseph Giacalone and two nephews, Raoul and John DiBlasi also survive. Reposing at the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave., Kingston on Thursday from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 PM. A funeral procession will form on Friday at 9:15 AM at the funeral home and process to St. Peter's Church for a 10:00 AM funeral Mass. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.