Mr. Ben Lupo
July 10, 1922 – August 24, 2012
Honored by MAS on November 5, 2006
Ben Lupo took accordion lessons at Pollina Music House in Detroit at a young age. His first playing gig was at the age of 12 where he earned $5.00. He graduated from Cass Tech High School in 1941 where he studied piano and accordion.
Ben’s accomplishments over the years were plentiful. He was a soloist on the radio in the 1940’s playing accordion, played the first musical at the Fischer Theater and was a member of The Detroit Federation of Musicians for 70 years. Ben played the Big Band circuit and was well known throughout the state especially at the best rated hotels and clubs such as The Roostertail, The Whittier and The Grand Hotel, The 20th Century Bar and most importantly The Pinehurst Inn at Indian River, Michigan in 1946 where he played in the band that summer. He met and fell in love with a beautiful waitress named Barbara Wadsworth. The following spring they married on April 21, 1947.
Ben and Barbara had 6 children together until Barbara’s untimely death in 1965 leaving Ben to raise his children without her. Ben gave private music lessons from their home and played music at clubs and private parties at night while Barbara took care of the house and kids. Barbara would entertain the parents of Ben’s students while they had their lessons. Ben arranged musical scores for symphonic bands and entered many of his students into competitions, which included his four oldest children, Gordy, Sandy, Nick and Cynthia. They always excelled winning many awards.
Ben was also a member of The Michigan Accordion Society. He en- joyed gathering and performing with his fellow musician friends once a month. He formed an accordion ensemble for which he arranged much of the music. He was very proud of all who participated.
Benedict Lupo, age 90 of Warren passed away on August 24, 2012. Ben was born on July 10, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan. Ben was the son of Santo and Santina Lupo who emigrated from Sicily. Ben was the oldest of five children; The late Josephine (the late Samuel) Garzia, the late Caroline Humphreys, the late Maria (the late William) Doman- ski and his surviving sister Francesca (the late James) Munson and his brother in law Harold Humphreys. Ben so loved his four sisters. They would celebrate each other’s birthdays by gathering at Buddy’s Pizza. Ben’s parents, with the help of their family, built a cottage in Lexington and for many years they and their, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoyed many summers together.
Ben is survived by three sons and two daughters. Gordy and his wife Marcia, Santo and his wife Diane, Nicholas, Cynthia , Mary Jo and her husband Gordon; his grandson Ken and his wife Jenna and their four daughters, Audrey, Bailey, Abigail and Olivia; his granddaughter Cindy and her soon to be husband Dan Latarski and his grandson Andrew Middler. He is also survived by his companion Doris Ratner, who brought so much joy to his life. Ben is predeceased by his son Joseph and his daughter in law Joanne Lupo.
We will all miss Ben for he loved a jokes and he was a kind gentleman.
