The Muffled Drum
Ray Facundo
John Leonhardt Remembered · Bishop Robert F. Garner · Al Cohen · Joseph F. Beckmeyer Sr. · Ray Facundo · Joe Porta · Tommy Schefter
Ray "Pineapple" Facundo
RAYMOND FACUNDO, 53, of HAZLET
Published in the Asbury Park Press 7/11/02
RAYMOND FACUNDO, 53, of HAZLET, died Tuesday at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel.
Surviving are a sister, Manuela Citarella of Union Beach; and a niece, Kimberly Bonsignore of Union Beach.
Cremation Service of Ocean, Brick, is in charge of arrangements.
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Ray was in the Woodsiders before coming to the corps in '66, played soprano and was assistant DM. In that role (1966) he played the soprano solo for "Eyes of a Woman in Love." In 1991 he joined the BSGK alumni corps and participated for several years. He also played with the Reilly Raiders alumni corps.
"I marched with Pineapple in 66. I believe he was originally with St.Vinnies and then the Woodsiders. I remember him telling me when he marched with
St. Vinnies he played a solo called rock abye my baby and once as he took a breath to play the solo he swallowed an insect. His recollection was
hilarious. He hurt his eye sometime during the 66 season and had poor peripheral vision. He was informed that he could no longer march with the
soprano line but he was such a good horn player that they gave him a solo. They made him an assistant drum major and during our second song one of
the soprano players handed him his horn and he played the solo! I always considered it a great loss the he was relegated to just one solo. I can't
remember him ever making a mistake on that solo! He was definitely a character and I will miss him greatly!
Regards,
Bill Ryan (snare drummer)"
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"37 years ago i was a member of the Little Falls Cadets,around the Paterson area there were many good corps. i wanted to move up to a corps that had a chance to become National Champion. The reality was that many of them were segregated. I recall watching BSGK at a parade and my friend said to me, "See Mike they have blacks, whites, browns, yellows, catholics, protestants, jews and they even have a pineapple.”
Yet another golden knight will be added to our Muffled Drum list, to be honor by the living. I raise my cup to you my friend with whom we marched and played with pride and shared joy and sorrow. May your journey be sweet and joyous. You are know and forever a member of God's drum corps. Condolence to the Facundo family.
Mike Diaz"