st8smenguard Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Gus was a legend. He will be deeply missed by all of those who had the chance to know him. He was a great man. Rest in Peace, Gus. We all love you and will miss you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrishDish1002 Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Very sad news. I knew Gus when I was a kid marching junior corps. My sympathies to all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh1109 Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Very sad news. I knew Gus when I was a kid marching junior corps.My sympathies to all... Trish, I also knew Gus - he was my first horn instructor back in the Woodsiders. So sad to hear - my sympathy to his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elphaba01 Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 "Yet Another Loss In the Family": Rest in peace Mr Wilke. The entire activity is diminished by your passing. Elphaba WWW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dukecornwell Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 It was a pleasure to march with Gus, but more impotantly it was a pleasure to know him. I am very sad to hear this news. RIP Gus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Contra Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 This is more a Skyliner story than anything, but at Sky is where I first met Gus. In the winter of 1979, I went to my first Sky rehearsal not knowing what to expect. I was 19 years old walking into Sky practice with Sol Anthony, Ray “Konga” Richardson and Ray “Bubba” Lane, three of the biggest contra bass players I ever saw. They were also three of the most talented contra bass players I have ever heard play the horn. I said to myself “Who am I kidding?” I walked into the Saldarini Post in Union City that faithful Sunday with nothing but my mouthpiece. I was given a crappy contra and was told by Bucky Swan “To go with Gus”. Not knowing Gus from a hole in the wall, he took me downstairs into the basement for my tryout. He turned underneath the stairs (similar to a basement in an old house where there’s nothing but spider webs and three inches of dust) and asked me if I could read music. I said “Sure.” He asked “treble or bass clef?” I said “Bass.” He handed me sheet of music. He asked me to play a few notes and the short passage on the sheet. He said, “Kid, you got no problems. You’ll be fine.” It took all of 30 seconds. Gus said “And if those guys bust your chops, come tell me and I’ll take care of them”. I went back up stairs and sat down between the three of them. They all looked at me, then over to Gus. He gave them his patented “wink” and all three of them said “Welcome to the corps”. As a young kid going into a Sky practice, Gus was the best thing the Skyliners had to a horn man. Everyone knew about Hy and Bucky, but Gus was the guy who took care of his boys! He will be missed dearly. Enjoy Gus! Say hi to everyone! :angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 R.I.P. God Bless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donny Drum Corps Posted October 25, 2005 Share Posted October 25, 2005 Rest in peace to a true gentleman in the activity. He was a HUGE contributor to drum corps, senior and junior. He taught many great players HOW to be great. Donny Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyBassDrum Posted October 25, 2005 Author Share Posted October 25, 2005 HERE IS THE INFORMATION ABOUT SERVICES FOR GUS WILKE - Gustave, Jr., 74, of Secaucus, NJ, died on October 23, 2005. Beloved husband of the late Elaine Wilke. Devoted father of the late Gus Wilke III, Donna Yesko, Lori Tipton and Nancy Vallellanes. Cherished grandfather of eighteen grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. Loving brother of Beatrice Rumplasch and her husband Edward. The funeral from the Mack Memorial Home in Secaucus, 1245 Paterson Plank Road on Thursday at 12 PM. The Funeral Mass will be offered in Immaculate Conception Church at 1 PM. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 PM Tuesday and Wednesday. Published in The Record and Herald News on 10/25/2005. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BennyBassDrum Posted October 25, 2005 Author Share Posted October 25, 2005 Directions to services for Gus are below 10/24/05 Gus Wilkie passed yesterday evening. The wake for Gus Wilke will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 25 and 26 at the Mack Funeral Home, located at 1245 Paterson Plank Road in Secaucus, NJ from 2-4 and 7-9PM on both days. The funeral Mass will take place on Thursday afternoon at 1PM from Immaculate Conception R.C. Church directly across from the funeral home. Directions are: From the south, NJ Tpke to exit 16E, after the toll, go straight ahead to the stop sign/light (whichever it is), make a left onto Paterson Plank Road. Look for the funeral home, #1245. From the west, Route 3 East, past Giants Stadium, over the bridge into Secaucus, bear to the right onto the service road after the Shell Station, make the second right and then a left on Paterson Plank Road. The funeral home is a couple of blocks. From the north, NJ Tpke south to exit 17, bear to the right around the jug handle to Paterson Plank Road. Make the left on Paterson Plank Road and follow to the funeral home at 1245 Paterson Plank Road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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