Sebastian A. Giacco of Cromwell, CT, passed away January 3, 2026, 15 days before his 100th birthday. He was lovingly cared for during his brief illness by his beloved wife, Italia, of 75 years, daughter, Valerie and husband, Andrew Slee, and son, Geoffrey and wife, Lissa. He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren, Emily and husband, Jeff Menard, Brendon Slee, Talia and husband, Scott Theriault, and great-grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, Colton, Benjamin and Addison, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews, in addition to an abundance of musician colleagues and friends across the globe. He was the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and friend, and he will be missed forever.
Sebastian (Seb, Sebbie, Nutsie) was born in Middletown, CT, to Alfio and Rosa Giacco, in 1926, and was predeceased by his brother, Joseph, and sisters, Anna, Lucy and Virginia. He was taught to play music by his father and was playing in bands in his early teens. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, 97th Infantry division, in 1944, at age 18, and saw combat in Germany and was part of the occupying force in Japan in WWII. He also played in the U.S. Army band. On return, he attended New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he met his wife, Italia (Ty). He played alto and soprano saxophone and clarinet in college, and started classical flute and piccolo in 1970. In his early years, he was on the road with Nat King Cole, Nat Pierce, Larry Clinton, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley McClaine, The Celtic Women, and many other famous performers. He played at Bill Hahn's resort in Westbrook, CT, where he met a young singer named Barbara Streisand, and was invited to opening night of Funny Girl on Broadway. He played for Tony Bennett and Julie London at Club Russo in Middletown, CT. In his later years, he played jazz for Chick Cichetti's and Paul Landerman's band, Jerry Lewis, and the Hartford Jazz Orchestra with Donn Trenner for fifty-plus years. He also was instrumental in starting the concert series at the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown. Up until July of 2025, he practiced his flute daily until he became ill with cancer. In 2005, he met the great Sir James Galway, world-famous flute player, backstage in Boston, and Sir James handed him his gold flute and asked him to play. Seb picked up the flute and played, and then they played together. It was a highlight of his life.
Seb took up gourmet cooking and sourdough bread making in the last decades of his life and was proud of his efforts.
The viewing will take place at D'Angelos Funeral Home, 22 South Main St., Middletown, CT 06457, on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 6-8 PM. The Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, January 17, 2026, 10:00 AM at St. Sebastian's Church, 155 Washington St., Middletown, CT 06457, followed by burial of his remains at St. Sebastian's Cemetery, 75 Meriden Rd. (Rt. 66), Rockfall, CT 06481. Funeral luncheon will be at Café Fiore,134 Berlin Rd., Cromwell, CT, at 12 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hartfordjazzorchestra.com .
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