Francis L. “Frank” Nizzari of Needham died on Thursday, July 21st at Waban Health and rehabilitation Center in Newton due to complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare brain disease. He was 66.
Mr. Nizzari was born in Boston and spent his early childhood in Wellesley. His family moved to Needham when their Wellesley property was taken in eminent domain for the building of Route 128. Mr. Nizzari graduated from Needham High School in 1957.
Mr. Nizzari was a well known classical and jazz artist in the Boston area, playing bassoon, saxophone and clarinet. He was also a composer of operas and chamber works. His jazz experiences began at the age of 14, when he sat in with the old-time jazz players at Mahogony Hall in Boston. As a senior in high school, he took up the bassoon on the recommendation of his band teacher. After only six months of playing the instrument, he was awarded a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied bassoon with the late Sherman Walt of the BSO. Mr. Nizzari played principal bassoon with many Boston organizations including the Opera Company of Boston, Handel and Haydn Society, Harvard Chamber Orchestra, Cantata Singers, and many others. He taught at the Berklee School of Music and Boston University. He was a frequent guest artist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Over his long career, he played many Broadway musicals as a member of the Shubert, Colonial and Wang theatre orchestras. Mr. Nizzari founded the jazz improvisation ensemble Northwind and was the featured artist on several popular jazz recordings.
He leaves his wife of 26 years, Marcia (Mulroney) Nizzari; his children, Anna Nizzari LeSueur and her husband Andrew of Brighton, England, Michael Banks Nizzari and Emma Lenore Nizzari of Needham; and his in laws Dr. and Mrs. William C. Mulroney of Sarasota FL and Yarmouthport MA. Mr. Nizzari is also survived by three children from a prior marriage, four grandchildren and a large extended family.
His funeral will be held from the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 highland Avenue Needham (exit 19B off Rte 128) on Tuesday July 26th at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Joseph Church at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Monday from 5-8 PM. Interment Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Needham. Memorial donations may be made in Frank’s memory to the New England Conservatory of Music c/o Development Office 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston MA 02115.