Frank Louis Corbi, 87, passed away January 14, 2010, at his home in Cary, NC.

He was born in Alliance, Ohio, and was the son of the late Samuel and Louise Corbi. Frank attended Alliance H.S. and Mt. Union College and Kent State University, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Music Ed. in 1983 from KSU. A noted jazz musician, Frank began playing professionally tenor saxophone and clarinet at age 13.

He joined the USAF during WWII, as a member of the USAF Band at Ellington Field in Houston TX. He toured the surrounding area with a small jazz group to promote war bonds. He completed his education after the war and began teaching as Tuscarawas Valley High School's band and choral director for 31 years while also performing at wedding receptions, restaurants and clubs in that area. He retired from teaching in 1984.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice Mae Sibila, in 1982, and his sister, Alda Petitti, in 1997. He is survived by his wife, Carol Mercer Corbi, sons, Michael and Chris Corbi, and daughters Mary Alice Biclawski and husband Randy and Lisa Elliott and husband Ray, all of the Stark/Tuscarawas County, OH area. Stepchildren include Tricia Welsh and husband Jay Sloan of Chatham County, NC, Jeff Welsh of N. Canton, OH, and Julie deMello, of Amman, Jordan. Grandchildren include Timothy, Melissa and Jaden Corbi; Renee and Brett Elliott, and Sean, Sara, and Alex Welsh, all of Ohio, and Julia Sloan of Chatham County.

Frank and Carol moved to Cary, NC in 1984, when Frank began sitting in with local jazz musicians to let them know he was available for jazz gigs, and soon formed his own quartet.

He continued playing professionally until 2008, and was known and loved by many jazz musicians in this area. Frank had legions of fans and friends wherever he lived and whomever he met.

A funeral mass was held on Monday, January 18 in St. Michael's Church in Cary, and a reception celebrating his life followed at Georgio's Restaurant, close by the church.

A memorial service also will be held at the Trinity Church in Bolivar, OH. A date and time is to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers Frank requested donations be made to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, Attn: Accounting, 3808 Tarheel Drive Raleigh, NC 27609 and Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle Raleigh, NC 27607.