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Arnold "Spider" Rondinelli

Finney Funeral Homes

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | July 11, 2017

Arnold Armond “Spider” Rondinelli, 82, a well-known jazz musician from Clairton, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, July 10, 2017.  He was born February 5, 1935 in Clairton to the late Anthony and Angeline Macioce Rondinelli.  Along with his loving wife of 41 years, Georgina, he is survived by son, Michael (Paula) Rondinelli of Louisville, KY; grandsons Jared and Avery; brother, Naz (Elsie) Rondinelli of San Diego, CA.  Along with his parents, Spider was preceded in death by sister Marlene Decima.  After graduating from high school in 1953, he worked his first job as a musician at the Point Vue Hotel in Brentwood. In 1960, Spider was drafted and spent two years in the service with the 113th Army Band, based at Fort Knox, Ky.  After his discharge in 1962, he returned to Pittsburgh but was itching to hit the road and went to Chicago.  Spider returned to Pittsburgh for a bit and moved on to St. Thomas for more than 4 years but, as usual, returned to Pittsburgh to do what he loved. "Jazz is going to save the world," he said. "Jazz music has given me security. I have done nothing else in my life. My father wanted me to be a tap dancer, but I preferred to play the music that made me want to dance."  Family and friends will be received from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 pm on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at S. M. FINNEY FUNERAL HOME, INC., 432 N. 6th Street, Clairton,  PA   15025.  A service will take place at the funeral home on Friday, July 14, 2017 at 11:00 am.  Online condolences may be offered at www.finneyfuneralhome.com

Originally published July 11, 2017.

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