Eugene Ralph Mancini, 86, of Akron, passed away peacefully on October 15. He was born in Canton, Ohio on February 25, 1927 to Samuel and Clara (Sarno) Mancini. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1945 and served in the U.S. Army. Through his unyielding passion for music and as an accomplished pianist, he earned his bachelor and master's degrees in music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, followed by postgraduate studies at both The Juilliard School in New York and the Paris Conservatory. His musical talents led him on tours of America and Europe to include performances in London, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris, and Vienna. He and violinist Kenneth Gordon held the honor of being the first Americans to perform at the Monaco Palace before Princess Grace and Prince Ranier. In the U.S., Eugene's more notable performances included one at New York's Carnegie Hall, four as guest soloist with the Akron Symphony Orchestra, two with the Canton Symphony, plus many others throughout Ohio and the Midwest. Additionally, he performed on numerous television programs. Eugene held teaching positions at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Baldwin-Wallace College, and the University of Akron where he retired as Professor and Artist-in-Residence. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Anita Hart. He is survived by his sister Marlene Mancini Frost (George), brother-in-law Gerald Hart, son Dante (Rebecca), twin grandsons Aaron and Jonah Mancini for whom he held great pride, joy, and love, niece Monica Hart, nephews Kevin and Keith (Jeanette) Hart, great niece Maria and great nephew Keith Hart Jr., and special friend and caregiver, Toshie Haga. Please join the family for calling hours at Rossi Funeral Home, 730 30 ^th St., Canton, on Sunday, October 27 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and memorial service on Monday, October 28 at 10:00 AM, with Fr. Thomas Bishop officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tuesday Musical Association's Scholarship Endowment Fund in memory of Eugene Mancini (1 South Main St., Suite 301, Akron, OH 44308, 330-761-3460, www.tuesdaymusical.org) . His remains have been cremated and will be buried at North Lawn Cemetery, Canton, OH.

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