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Gasper "Gus" Figliola
April 24, 1925 - April 6, 2016
Obituary 
FIGLIOLA, Gasper "Gus"
Peacefully at the Tansley Woods LTC on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at the age of 90. Beloved husband of the late Iris (nee Taylor) in 2004. Loving father of Janice (Peter) Fowlie, Dean (Maureen) and Mark. Loving grandfather of Paul, Anthony (Megan), Laura (Warren), and Scott. He will be missed by many relatives and friends. Special thanks to the staff at Tansley Woods and Park Avenue Manor for all their care and compassion over the last five years, especially Dr. Ragonetti and Dr. Middlebrooke. Gus will be remembered for his passion for playing the drums and golf.
Guestbook  (5 of 6)
Peter Banting (Friend)
Entered from Hamilton
We will miss a very fine musician. Gus plays on in our fond memories.
Stewart Brown (Friend)
Entered from Hamilton
Gus Figliola appreciation, April 8, 2016
(from Stewart Brown, of Hamilton, Ontario, stewbrown@cogeco.ca )
Gus, ever smiling, was a great inspiration to me as a fledgling drummer and son of one of his musician colleagues.
I remember suggesting at one time that, if my ship ever same in, I would love to have a jazz club with a house band of Gus Figliola on drums, Matt Kennedy on piano, Stu Salmond on bass and Moe Spence on guitar.
I remember watching from the rear of the bandstand when Ella Fitzgerald performed in the 1950s in the outdoor Sky Club of the Brant Inn in Burlington. Gus Figliola was the drummer in the local standby band, playing for dancing between Ella’s shows. When the Figliola snare-drum head broke, Gus Johnson, the American drummer with Ella, not only gave our Gus a spare drum head, but installed it as well. Our Gus was tickled pink at the gesture.
Gus Figliola was a valuable and lively source for anecdotes when I was doing research for the 2008 book, Brant Inn Memories. God Bless You, Gus, and remember, wherever the bandstand: “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t ...”
Joyce McDade (Friend)
Entered from Stoney Creek, ON
So sorry for your loss, our prayers and condolences are with you Janice, and your family.
Diane Ogrodnik (nee Montesanto) (Colleague)
Entered from Burlington
So sorry to learn of your dad's passing. Gus and I worked together many years ago at Empire Life, my first job. He always had a smile on his face and he was great to work with. Our deepest condolences on your loss.
Diane and Stan Ogrodnik
Brent Malseed (Friend)
Entered from Hamilton
Janna and I have very fond memories of Gus through the music business. He was that very cool jazz drummer and I thoroughly enjoyed playing gigs with Gus over the years especially when playing with the Matt Kennedy Trio five nights a week for seven years during the 70's and the 80's in the O'Sullivan's Dining Room at the Royal Connaught Hotel. We had some very memorable evenings that included many entertainers dropping in before or after their performances at Hamilton Place. One of the most memorable was when Tony Bennett came into the restaurant after his performance at Hamilton Place. Condolences to Janice & Peter and family from Brent & Janna Malseed

Photos  (1 of 1)