Hartford Courant (Connecticut), August 6, 2008, Wednesday

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Hartford Courant (Connecticut)

August 6, 2008, Wednesday

STATEWIDE EDITION

SECTION: CONNECTICUT; Pg. B8

HEADLINE: NOZZOLIO, Matthew Anthony

BODY:

NOZZOLIO, Matthew Anthony

Matthew Anthony Nozzolio, of Middletown, died unexpectedly Saturday (August 2, 2008), in New Haven. He was 53. He was the husband of Jean A. Wertz. Nozzolio, who was the official spokesman for the MDC, in Hartford, had a career in newspapers as a reporter and editor.

Nozzolio was also a noted musician, performing bluegrass, blues and folk music. Nozzolio played the guitar lap-style, using a metal bar or slide, a technique developed in the late 1800's by Hawaiian musicians that was adapted in the late 20th century by blues, bluegrass and country musicians. He also played the Dobro, or resophonic guitar, and on occasion, the accordion, performing solo as well as with a variety of bluegrass and folk bands. He also performed his own compositions. In the 1990's, Nozzolio toured Europe as a member of Amy Gallatin and Stillwaters. He also performed with Allan Harris and the Cross That River Band of New York City, the New England bands Charter Oak Bluegrass and The Bristol Boys, and was a frequent guest musician with The Remnants and Horizon Blue. He was a member of the Metropolitan Transit Authority's Music Under New York program, for subway musicians, and performed in Connecticut for entertainment programs at Derby Hospital and Meriden's MidState Medical Center. In 2007, Nozzolio took 3rd place in the 21st annual Blues Challenge, in Greensboro, NC. As a journalist, Nozzolio was a bureau chief for the New Haven Register, city editor for The Evening Press, in Binghamton, NY and bureau chief for the Finger Lakes Times, in New York. He also worked in communications for United Technologies. Born September 24, 1954, Nozzolio grew up in Seneca Falls, NY, the son of Anna and Albert Nozzolio. Albert Nozzolio had immigrated to the US from Italy. During high school, at Mynderse Academy, Nozzolio was an all-conference defensive lineman in football and a champion wrestler. He was also selected to the all-county chorus. After graduating from Mynderse, in 1972, he attended the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1976. Nozzolio is survived by his wife, Jean A. Wertz, son Joel Marsh Garland, of Brooklyn, NY and daughter Kimberly Jean Garland, of Middletown.Other survivors include brother, Joseph Nozzolio and his wife, Anne, of Port Chester, NY, and brother Michael Nozzolio and his wife, Rosemary, of Fayette, NY and nieces Jane Zuckerberg and Beth Catrone. He was predeceased by a nephew, Matthew J. Nozzolio.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington St., Middletown. Graveside services in Pine Grove Cemetery, South Main St., Middletown, will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. Calling hours are Friday from 6-9 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ARTFARM, 119 Highland Ave., Middletown, or to Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, 128 Washington St., Middletown.

GRAPHIC: PHOTO: (B&W) MUG

LOAD-DATE: August 6, 2008