On October 29th, 2009 the accordion world lost a great advocate, Harry Angelo Gay. Born on February 15th, 1936 in Washington D.C and eventually moving to Stockton, CA at the age of nine. Harry’s love for the accordion was only superseded by his love for his beautiful family.
His father, Angelo Elia Gay (Gai), was born in Nepi, Italy and mother, Ambrosina Lazzari Gay, who was born in Giubiasco, Switzerland. His parents came to the USA in the years 1925 and 1927 respectively.
At the age of 10, Harry started studying accordion with John Pisacco of Stockton, CA. By the age of fourteen Harry became a member of the local musicians union and started playing jobs as a soloist, with a trio, a quartet and eventually with a six piece ethnic Italian band. At the age of 18, Harry put down the accordion.
Harry graduated from Stockton High School in 1952, Stockton College in 1956 and the University of California Dental School in San Francisco, CA in 1960. Moving back to Stockton he started his dental practice and remained an active practitioner there for over forty-one years. Throughout his career Stockton remained his home where he and his wife, Vivian, raised their family.
Harry was a man of many talents and interests. After twenty-two years Harry picked up the accordion again, vowing to play it for fun, but determined to pick up where he had left off – practicing four hours every evening. He was an avid outdoorsman, impeccable musician, and anything Harry did he did to perfection. He was an important member and contributor to many clubs: including the Good Time Accordion Club (which has created a Scholarship Fund in Harry’s name), Accordion Club of the Redwoods, Golden State Accordion Club, San Francisco Accordion Club, Silicon Valley Accordion Society, California Dental Society, San Joaquin Dental Society, and Ducks Unlimited. Harry touched many people in many ways with his knowledge, wisdom, and continuous generosity.
He was contributor to numerous CDs including: Steve Balich Sr. Polka Band “Plays All Italian,” Don Garibaldi Band “Bella Bruna, Bella Italia,” “Don Garibaldi’s Favorites,” and also a CD by Harry Plady. He was an ardent fan of Valtaro Musette music as were also his parents and he played the style extremely well.
He was avid attendee at many accordion events, including the Las Vegas Accordion Convention and the Cotati Accordion Festival. He enjoyed visiting and jamming with his fellow accordion friends and acquaintances. Harry’s favorite song was “Iupali Iupala” and many of the accordion clubs have been playing this song in his honor.
He was always there to lend a helping hand to a fellow accordionist or accordion club. Harry was not only an impeccable player but was always willing to share his knowledge with fellow accordionists – amateur and professional alike. He is remembered for his generosity in sharing his musical knowledge, as well as his vast library of music. Fellow friends, musicians and even strangers would look to Harry for help in finding music.
Harry will be greatly missed and remembered for his unending kindness, caring, sense of humor, words of wisdom and encouragement, very generous heart and unconditional love.
He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and loving wife of fifty-three years Vivian Gay; daughter Kim Girardi, son David Gai, son-in-law and best friend Rick Girardi, Daughter-in-law Kelli Gai, and six Grandchildren: Matthew, Amanda, and Gregory Girardi; Mitchell, Heather, and Brittani Gai; his dear sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan and Primo Castagno, nephew Michael Castagno, niece Yvonne Solari (Joey), and great nieces Marissa and Audrianna Solari.
