Joseph "Joe" F. Bozzi, 92, was called home on September 1, 2026, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of love, family and music that will live on for generations.

Of all the titles Joe earned throughout his remarkable life-musician, entertainer, educator, band leader and mentor-the ones he treasured most were Husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa.

At the heart of Joe's life was Marsha, his beloved wife of 70 years. Together they built a beautiful life filled with love, family, music, laughter and seven decades of memories. Their enduring love was the foundation of the family Joe treasured so deeply.  Joe was a proud and devoted father to Joe Jr., Mike, Carla, Tony and Amanda, and father-in-law to Patti Bozzi. His family was his greatest pride and joy.  He was a loving grandfather to Sydney Bozzi, Elise Bozzi Swanson, Bella Apted and Sophia Browne-Bozzi, and a treasured Great-Grandpa to Isaiah, Lily, Noah and Levi Benoit.  To the world, Joe Bozzi was a legendary musician, entertainer, educator and mentor.  To those who loved him most, he was Marsha's husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. And after 92 remarkable years, that beautiful family-and the love he poured into it-will always be his greatest legacy.

And what a remarkable life and musical journey he had!

Joe's love of music began at just ten years old while growing up in St. Louis. A graduate of old Central High School, he became fascinated by music while listening to the drum and bugle corps connected to the sons and daughters of World War II veterans who were family friends. Joe's father, Carlo, was born in Italy and served in World War II, and those early experiences sparked something in Joe that would become a lifelong passion.

In his younger years, Joe studied with Italian clarinetist Joe Falsetti and symphony trumpeter Joe Carione, later earning his bachelor's degree in music education from the Saint Louis Institute of Music, Conservatory and School for the Arts.

By the 1950s, Joe was part of one of the most exciting eras in St. Louis music history.  He performed in the iconic Gaslight Square at George Edick's Roaring Twenties Club and the famous Club Imperial, working with Ike and Tina Turner. He also performed for several years at the Playboy Club, backing music legends including Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderley.

As the 1960s arrived, Joe found himself sharing the stage with some of the greatest entertainers of all time. When the Rat Pack came to St. Louis, Joe backed Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. during their performances at the Chase Park Plaza.  In 1969, Joe took his talent to Hollywood, recording Trumpet Italiano at Universal City Studios while signed to Decca Records. He would continue recording throughout his career, including Nice Vibes and a Trumpet and Joe Bozzi Quintet on Stage.

But Joe's influence on the world of music cannot be measured simply by the legendary names he played alongside, the stages he performed on or the records he made.  Some of his greatest work happened in a classroom.  For decades, Joe taught music at Catholic elementary and high schools throughout the St. Louis area, heading numerous music programs and introducing generations of young people to the joy of making music.  Among those students was a young Michael McDonald, who first learned music and how to play trombone under Joe's direction while in grade school, long before his extraordinary career with the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan and as a solo artist.  Acclaimed jazz drummer Dave Weckl also played in The Joe Bozzi Band, working under Joe and creating a musical relationship and lifelong connection.  For Joe, teaching wasn't simply about notes, scales or learning an instrument.

He taught people to love music.  And perhaps no one demonstrated that love more than Joe himself.  He never stopped playing.  In more recent years, Joe and his All Star Band performed monthly for an incredible thirteen years at Evangeline's Bistro & Music House in St. Louis' Central West End.  Those shows were special in a way that is difficult to put into words. They were filled with extraordinary musicians, familiar faces, laughter, stories and the unmistakable joy of watching Joe do what he loved.

For all the extraordinary moments in Joe's career, it is often those wonderfully ordinary moments that tell his story best.  Because Joe's life always came back to the same things:

Family. Love. Music.  Joe once described the passion that carried him through nearly his entire life:  "Music has been in my life all my life. I've only ever played and taught, and I really love to do it. You might say it's my passion. And I will never retire."  And he never did.

Joe leaves behind a musical legacy few could ever match. It lives in the students he taught, the musicians he mentored, the audiences he entertained, the recordings he made and the countless people who had the privilege of hearing him play.

But his greatest legacy isn't found on a record or a stage.  It is his legacy of love.  It lives in Marsha, after 70 years side by side.  It lives in Joe Jr., Mike, Carla, Tony and Amanda.

It lives in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  It lives in every student, band mate, and friend.  It lives in the stories they will tell, the laughter they will remember, the traditions they will carry forward and the songs that will forever make them think of him.  And it will live on every time his family gathers and tells a Joe story, every time a former student picks up an instrument, every time someone hears the sound of a trumpet and smiles, and every time a song somehow brings him right back into the room.  A great musician leaves behind his music.  A great teacher leaves behind those he inspired.  A great father leaves his love within his family.  And a great man leaves the world better because he was here.

Joe Bozzi did all of that.

For 92 years, he gave his family and the world one incredible soundtrack.  So, one last time... Count it off, Joe!  Thank you for the love.  Thank you for the laughter.  Thank you for the lessons.  Thank you for the memories.  And thank you for the music.  What a life. What a love. What a legacy.  And truly, Joe... "What a Wonderful World." 🎶

Services:  The family will receive friends for a visitation at the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, 14960 Manchester Road at Holloway, Ballwin, MO 63011 on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Alban Roe Catholic Church in Wildwood, on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. If desired, donations may be made in memory of Joe Bozzi at the NAMM Foundation Website: www.nammfoundation.org . Please share memories of Joe and condolences with the family in the online guestbook at Schrader.com.