Perry Como, Tuquesta, Florida
N 26° 58.328 W 080° 06.356
17R E 588729 N 2983662
One of the most popular vocalists between the end of World War II and the rise of rock & roll in the mid-'50s, Perry Como perfected the post-big band approach to pop music by lending his own irresistible laidback singing.
Waymark Code: WM7GVF
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 10/24/2009
Views: 13
Perry Como was a major recording and TV star with few rivals, but he was first and foremost a family man. No rat packs for Perry; he preferred golf foursomes and schools of fish, eventually forsaking the bright lights of the big city for, as he signed off on his TV specials, "that little piece of paradise called Jupiter, Florida."
Perry's love of golf led him here. He and wife Roselle were friends with area golf course designer Toney Penna.
In the early '50s, they would drive down to Boca Raton in the winter for vacations,Mrs. Como was a big golfer, so they would go golfing with Mr. Penna and his wife who lived in Delray Beach, Florida.
The Comos first moved to a home in Tequesta on the Loxahatchee River. They next moved to a small house on the ocean before settling into a sprawling home on Jupiter Inlet with a great view of the Jupiter Lighthouse and a dock where Perry loved to fish for snook.
Stories abound among local boaters who would tie up at the dock just to shoot the breeze with the always-amiable Comos. They always had time for a chat with friends and fans, the "regular folks. They didn't like pretense at all.
AND HE LOVED THEM SO
Time for his fans, even when battling Alzheimer's
In his last years, despite his illness, Como always made time for people.
Roselle Como died after a heart attack in August 1998. Perry was already failing and never really recovered.
HE'S STILL
HOT DIGGITY!
One sign of Perry Como's enduring legacy is that everybody still wants him.
They want his songs for movies, TV shows and commercials.
Since he died at his home in Jupiter, his songs have appeared in everything from The Sopranos to Ocean's Eleven to Zodiac to Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason.
Licensing requests for Como's recordings continue to roll in to his daughter, Jupiter's Terri Thibadeau, and her husband, Paul, a Palm Beach attorney. They get as many as a dozen requests a week for use in movies, TV shows, hit compilations and commercials.
Some are approved; many are not. They are fiercely committed to protecting his stature.
EVEN AT REST,
PAPA LOVES MAMA
Just as in life, Perry and Roselle are perpetually together in death. Twin stones mark their graves at Riverside Memorial Park in Tequesta. You'd never know that this was once one of the biggest stars in the world. There is no big mausoleum, like you see with some stars. Other graves are crowded right next to theirs.
It's pretty remarkable: Perry Como is as unpretentious in death as he was in life.
Born: Pierino Ronald Como, May 18, 1912, in Canonsburg, Pa. Married to Roselle Bellini in 1933. Three children: Ronnie, Dave and Terri.
Died: May 12, 2001, at his home in Jupiter Inlet Colony.
Original occupation: Teenage barber.
Record sales: Over 100 million records. 14 No. 1 singles. He was the first artist with 10 songs that sold a million copies each.
TV shows: He hosted his own show from 1950 through the early '60s, including annual Christmas specials.
Accolades: Como's Catch a Falling Star was the first certified gold record. He also won the first-ever best male vocal Grammy in 1958.
First Top 40 hit: Til the End of Time in 1945.
Last Top 40 hit: And I Love You So in 1973
**Information gathered from the personal knowledge the Palm Beach Post and Wikipedia**
Description:
Embarking on a career as a professional entertainer at 21, the man born Pierino Roland Como in Canonsburg, Penn., sold more than 50 million records with hits like "Till the End of Time," "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes," and "It's Impossible."
Como was the first artist to have ten records sell more than one million copies. Similarly, his television show achieved a much higher rating than that of any other vocalist to date.
Date of birth: 05/18/1912
Date of death: 05/12/2001
Area of notoriety: Entertainment
Marker Type: Headstone
Setting: Outdoor
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Park is open sunrise to sunset
Fee required?: No
Web site: [Web Link]
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