Obituary for Richard Carlino (Richard DeCarlo)
Richard Carlino (84), of Winter Garden, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April, 18, 2023 at Select Specialty Hospital in Edgewood, Florida.
Richard was born on December 12, 1938 in Somerville, New Jersey. At 9 months old, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. Richard is the son of the late John and Rose (née Pellechio) Carlino. He had an older brother, Fiorvante Carlino, who was killed in action in World War II at 19 years old, and also has a sister, Mary Carlino, (93) of Winter Garden, Florida. Richard was a loving husband of 61 years to Eleanor (née Ricca) Carlino, of Winter Garden, Florida.
Richard was a Sergeant in the U. S. Army and Honorably discharged in 1964. By profession, he was a Mechanical Design Engineer/Project Manager, He retired in 2003, and went on to teach voice and music at his own studio, Bel Canto Studios, until 2019. Richard was a professional singer going by the stage name of ‘Richard DeCarlo’ from the late 1950’s through the early 1970’s. He was inspired by the famous “American Caruso” Mario Lanza and his rich tenor voice was often compared to both Caruso and Lanza by critics and agents alike. Richard began his voice and music studies at just 16 years old. Around this same time he met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Eleanor. At 21 he began studying with the renowned teacher and author, Madame Ida Franca, at her Carnegie Hall Studio in NYC. At 23, he was granted a vocal appraisal from Maestro George Schick of the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. Maestro Schick advised he continue advanced studies with retired Metropolitan Opera Tenor, Sydney Raynor. Supported by his wife, Eleanor, and Eleanor’s father, musician and songwriter, Syl Ricca, Richard began studying with Mr. Raynor in his NYC studio. He began building a classical repertoire under the tutelage of Maestro Frank Baselice, concert accompanist for many Metropolitan Opera leads, in Maestro Baselice’s NYC Carnegie Hall studio. Richard was then introduced to Maestro Constantine Callinicos, orchestra conductor for most of Mario Lanza’s RCA recordings. Maestro Callinicos, known as “Costa,” was a close friend and confidant of Mario Lanza, and also the author of Lanza’s biography. Callinicos was himself an international entertainer. Richard had the honor of being singled out by Maestro Callinicos and coached in interpretation of popular ballads and musical theater repertoire.
Richard performed in many concerts, some by himself and some with world-renowned Operatic Soprano, Rina Telli. He perfume in many famous venues including: Carnegie Hall, NYC, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY, The Grand Ballroom of the Statler Hilton Hotel, NYC, The Venetian Room, NYC, The Ambassador Lounge, CT; Palumbo’s Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA, The Club 802, Brooklyn, NY, and The Al Carr Italian Theatre, NYC. Richard also performed in live recordings with Jimmy Roselli’s Orchestra in NYC, The Fairmont Hotel, Dallas,TX, The Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA, and The Summer Harmony Choral at Allen Organ Center in Macungie,PA. He’s appeared in various radio and TV programs; concerts and church services in NY. NJ and PA; along with many musical theater productions in NYC and NJ. In 1999, Richard and his younger daughter, Christine Carlino-Sansone, opened Bel Canto School of Performing Arts in Matawan, NJ where together they taught over 40 students of all ages. Richard and his wife Eleanor relocated to Macungie, PA in 2005. Richard continued teaching voice privately along with his wife, Eleanor, who taught piano in their music home studio under the Bel Canto name. Richard and Eleanor continued to teach music together until 2019. During the pandemic they made plans to move to Florida, where most of their children now reside. They became Floridians in October of 2022.
Richard was loved by so many, his family, his friends, and especially his students. Richard was a brilliant teacher and was so dedicated to his students. He absolutely loved teaching them. As one of his students just wrote: “Mr. C had a beautiful caring way about him. He helped us learn so much! He could see potential in students when no one else could. He was the BEST!!” One of his students, Ashlee, said Mr. C was her hero! Another one of his students once said: “I was a student at the NY Conservatory of Music and my Voice Teacher couldn’t teach me in one year what Mr. C taught me in one month!”
Besides his loving wife, Eleanor, Richard is survived by four of his five children along with their spouses: daughter Lisa (née Carlino) & husband Anthony Masterpalo, of Winter Garden FL; son Joseph Carlino & wife Sheri, of Fernandina Beach, FL; daughter Christine (née Carlino) & husband Joseph Sansone, of Palm Bay, FL; son Bernard Bialt & wife Tina, of Apollo Beach, FL and daughter-in-law Stephanie Carlino of San Tan Valley, AZ. He is also survived by his older sister Mary Carlino of Winter Garden, FL; as well as sister-in-law, Lena Ruggiero of Freehold, NJ; nieces and nephews, twelve grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Richard’s youngest son, Stephen, passed away in October of 2009. The family is at peace knowing that their beloved husband, father, brother, teacher and friend is now seeing his son face to face in Heaven.
Richard will be honored with a Memorial Mass at St. Faustina Catholic Church, located at 15551 N. Boggy Marsh Road, Clermont, FL on Monday, May 15, 2023 a 1:00 pm. There will also be a Military Honors Funeral Ceremony at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL in July, followed by a Celebration of Life in Winter Garden, FL. Further information about date and time to follow.
Richard's funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremation,
1132 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787
Richard was born on December 12, 1938 in Somerville, New Jersey. At 9 months old, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. Richard is the son of the late John and Rose (née Pellechio) Carlino. He had an older brother, Fiorvante Carlino, who was killed in action in World War II at 19 years old, and also has a sister, Mary Carlino, (93) of Winter Garden, Florida. Richard was a loving husband of 61 years to Eleanor (née Ricca) Carlino, of Winter Garden, Florida.
Richard was a Sergeant in the U. S. Army and Honorably discharged in 1964. By profession, he was a Mechanical Design Engineer/Project Manager, He retired in 2003, and went on to teach voice and music at his own studio, Bel Canto Studios, until 2019. Richard was a professional singer going by the stage name of ‘Richard DeCarlo’ from the late 1950’s through the early 1970’s. He was inspired by the famous “American Caruso” Mario Lanza and his rich tenor voice was often compared to both Caruso and Lanza by critics and agents alike. Richard began his voice and music studies at just 16 years old. Around this same time he met and fell in love with his sweetheart, Eleanor. At 21 he began studying with the renowned teacher and author, Madame Ida Franca, at her Carnegie Hall Studio in NYC. At 23, he was granted a vocal appraisal from Maestro George Schick of the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. Maestro Schick advised he continue advanced studies with retired Metropolitan Opera Tenor, Sydney Raynor. Supported by his wife, Eleanor, and Eleanor’s father, musician and songwriter, Syl Ricca, Richard began studying with Mr. Raynor in his NYC studio. He began building a classical repertoire under the tutelage of Maestro Frank Baselice, concert accompanist for many Metropolitan Opera leads, in Maestro Baselice’s NYC Carnegie Hall studio. Richard was then introduced to Maestro Constantine Callinicos, orchestra conductor for most of Mario Lanza’s RCA recordings. Maestro Callinicos, known as “Costa,” was a close friend and confidant of Mario Lanza, and also the author of Lanza’s biography. Callinicos was himself an international entertainer. Richard had the honor of being singled out by Maestro Callinicos and coached in interpretation of popular ballads and musical theater repertoire.
Richard performed in many concerts, some by himself and some with world-renowned Operatic Soprano, Rina Telli. He perfume in many famous venues including: Carnegie Hall, NYC, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY, The Grand Ballroom of the Statler Hilton Hotel, NYC, The Venetian Room, NYC, The Ambassador Lounge, CT; Palumbo’s Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA, The Club 802, Brooklyn, NY, and The Al Carr Italian Theatre, NYC. Richard also performed in live recordings with Jimmy Roselli’s Orchestra in NYC, The Fairmont Hotel, Dallas,TX, The Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA, and The Summer Harmony Choral at Allen Organ Center in Macungie,PA. He’s appeared in various radio and TV programs; concerts and church services in NY. NJ and PA; along with many musical theater productions in NYC and NJ. In 1999, Richard and his younger daughter, Christine Carlino-Sansone, opened Bel Canto School of Performing Arts in Matawan, NJ where together they taught over 40 students of all ages. Richard and his wife Eleanor relocated to Macungie, PA in 2005. Richard continued teaching voice privately along with his wife, Eleanor, who taught piano in their music home studio under the Bel Canto name. Richard and Eleanor continued to teach music together until 2019. During the pandemic they made plans to move to Florida, where most of their children now reside. They became Floridians in October of 2022.
Richard was loved by so many, his family, his friends, and especially his students. Richard was a brilliant teacher and was so dedicated to his students. He absolutely loved teaching them. As one of his students just wrote: “Mr. C had a beautiful caring way about him. He helped us learn so much! He could see potential in students when no one else could. He was the BEST!!” One of his students, Ashlee, said Mr. C was her hero! Another one of his students once said: “I was a student at the NY Conservatory of Music and my Voice Teacher couldn’t teach me in one year what Mr. C taught me in one month!”
Besides his loving wife, Eleanor, Richard is survived by four of his five children along with their spouses: daughter Lisa (née Carlino) & husband Anthony Masterpalo, of Winter Garden FL; son Joseph Carlino & wife Sheri, of Fernandina Beach, FL; daughter Christine (née Carlino) & husband Joseph Sansone, of Palm Bay, FL; son Bernard Bialt & wife Tina, of Apollo Beach, FL and daughter-in-law Stephanie Carlino of San Tan Valley, AZ. He is also survived by his older sister Mary Carlino of Winter Garden, FL; as well as sister-in-law, Lena Ruggiero of Freehold, NJ; nieces and nephews, twelve grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Richard’s youngest son, Stephen, passed away in October of 2009. The family is at peace knowing that their beloved husband, father, brother, teacher and friend is now seeing his son face to face in Heaven.
Richard will be honored with a Memorial Mass at St. Faustina Catholic Church, located at 15551 N. Boggy Marsh Road, Clermont, FL on Monday, May 15, 2023 a 1:00 pm. There will also be a Military Honors Funeral Ceremony at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL in July, followed by a Celebration of Life in Winter Garden, FL. Further information about date and time to follow.
Richard's funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremation,
1132 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787