Passing Of A True Great Drum Corps Member

Back in 2007 the door opened up one Sunday afternoon at a Florida Brass Drum and Bugle Corps rehearsal and in walks Dick Babino from Englewood, Florida. Dick sat down in the trumpet section and started to play like he’s been playing with the corps from day one. No one knew what this guy really brought to the Florida Brass. As the years went on the members found out what a talented horn player Dick really was. He bounced back and forth from soprano to mellophone as he could play both with a tone, a sound, that was outstanding in drum corps standards.

As he molded himself to be a true Florida Brass member, he was on the corps committee’s and became the quartermater for the corps. Dick took care of the corps trailer, supplies and equipment and a a lot of the time fixing horns, drums and flags. Dick was also in charge of The Florida Brass souvenir table at area high school band competitions that the Florida Brass played exhibitions at. When the corps was ready to hit the field he grabbed his horn got in line and joined in on the fun.

Dick Babino also played trumpet for the North Port Concert Band in North Port, Florida where he became section leader. Kristine Marsh played next to him in the band and she said “he was bigger than life, adding humor and his two cents” Music and playing was in Dick’s blood and nothing stopped him from showing it. He then convinced Kristine to join
The Florida Brass as Kristine and Dick both settled down and played mellophone.

One day Dick came into practice wearing these weird looking shoes called “crocs”. He wore them a lot, whether it was at his band practice or drum corps rehearsal, those crocs were around his feet. So he got the nickname as “Shoes” and it stuck!

Dick “Shoes” Babino started playing way back when he was young then joined the Air Force and played trumpet in the United States Air Force Band. He also played with the Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps, St. Kevins Emerald knights and The New York Skyliners. Then he moved to Florida and hooked up with one of the best musical groups in the sunshine state, The Florida Brass Drum and Bugle Corps. Dick’s favorite song with the corps was “Moon Dance”. Dick and the director of The Florida Brass Marty Angiulli played the solo in Moon Dance. Dick playing mellophone and Marty playing the soprano bugle.

Dick Babino passed away a few weeks ago which was a shock to his band and Florida Brass members. He leaves his wife Corrine and his daughter Wendy with all his love. Dick was laid to rest in Union Grove, Wisconsin, at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Taps was played by Ken Norman a member of the Buglers Hall of Fame and the Drum Corps World Hall of Fame.