Stephen A Filippini

Stephen A. Filippini was born in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on June 24th, 1948 to the parents of Leopold Dante and Mary Antoinette (Stimiliano) Filippini of Scranton, PA. Stephen was the oldest of two brothers. In 1966, Mr. Filippini graduated from North Central High School in Spokane and earned a BA Degree in Music Education in 1972 and later a master's degree in performance on Trumpet and Music Education in 1991 from Eastern Washington University. Mr. Filippini taught music for the school districts in Davenport, Washington from 1972 to 1976 and at East Valley Middle School from 1976 to 2002 where he taught band and coached after-school sports which included football, basketball, and baseball. He was twice named "Teacher of the Year" at East Valley Middle School. He loved teaching band and expected excellence out of his students. Mr. Filippini was an accomplished professional accordion and trumpet player. He joined the Spokane Musicians Union in October of 1976 and was an elected board member of the Musicians Union Local 105 for 11 years. He led his own professional group, The Variety Pak and was a member of the Spokane Jazz Orchestra for 27 years. He joined the popular territory band The Many Sounds of Nine and traveled over the summer months playing shows in Nevada, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming. He was the leader of the Official Worlds Fair Dixieland Band in 1974 and contracted shows at various venues in Spokane. In 1972, Mr. Filippini married Carol Ellen Green of Thompson Falls, Montana. The couple had two daughters, Carrie Ellen, and Katie Ruth Filippini of Spokane. Mr. Filippini has one grand daughter, Breanna Lyn Post of Spokane and one brother, Charles Filippini of Spokane. He was superseded in death by his first wife, Carol Ellen in 1998. In 2002 Steve moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and taught band for the Clark County School District from 2004-2011. In July of 2006 he married Judith Velez of Las Vegas. Through marriage, Mr. Filippini has two stepsons, Justin A. Cataldi and William R. Bunch and two granddaughters, Mary and Rose Cataldi. In 1983 Mr. Filippini earned his private pilot license. He was a member of the Quiet Birdman Organization, Experimental Aviation Association, Cessna Pilots and Owners Organization, Eagles Lodge and YMCA. Mr. Filippini was the current music director for a corporate show band and was a regular member of several big bands in Las Vegas. Steve had many hobbies and interests with his wife Judith. He loved flying his Cessna airplane, spending the summer months in Sandpoint, Idaho, boating on Lake Ponderay, officiating men's basketball, attending the Reno Air Races, hiking, bicycling, motorcycling, and jogging. Mr. Filippini was a member of the Desert Springs United Methodist Church. I'm Free Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, ah yes, these things, too, I will miss. Be not burdened with ties of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I have savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, do not lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me, I'm with God now, I've been set free.

Stephen A Filippini

June 24, 1948 - May 23, 2021