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As a young man, Andy DiOrio started out as a Drum Major in a local church Drum Fife and Bugle Corps in South Brooklyn, New York – St. Rocco’s Cadet Corps was their name.
When World War II began, Andy left to serve his country in the US Army 3rd Division as an R.T.O. (Radio Operator). During his military career, he was engaged by enemy fire nearly 20 times – three bullets hit his radio, the remaining seventeen at different times found their target; but Andy survived, and completed his military service with courage, bravery and distinction - returning home a highly decorated war hero
In 1956, the pastor of St. Rocco’s Church asked Andy if he would manage the newly constructed Youth Center. Without hesitation, he left his job with the Federal Government and realized his true vocation of helping neighborhood kids. He remembered his time as a drum major of the Cadet Corps; so with those memories and love of the corps still in his head, along with baseball, basketball, roller skating and the other youth activities that he had started in the parish; and, after unsuccessfully attempting to organize a drum and bugle corps for a local Boy Scout troop, he proceeded to organize a parish parade corps where a larger number of neighborhood kids, including the Scouts could all participate together. His love for Drum Corps never left his head. His dream was to one day make St. Rocco’s a competitive marching and maneuvering corps. In 1960, St. Rocco’s stepped onto the starting line in their Red, Blue and Gold satin uniforms in Toms River, N.J., thus fulfilling his dream.
That winter, he acquired a sewing machine, purchased bolts of yard goods, and with the help of his committee, produced fifteen 3x5 flags in the corps colors. When the corps returned to Toms River the following year, they fielded a 20 girl color guard, and was the first corps in the region to field a guard of that size. The corps’ popularity increased since they entered the standstill competition field in 1958, and youth from outside the neighborhood expressed a desire to be a part of the corps. Andy was never a person to deny anyone entry. The walls of color, race, and religious barriers were torn down – at a time when they were still so prevalent in the early 60’s.
Any and all who had a desire to learn and play, were welcome to join. Where else could you find a group of Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Italian, Irish, African-American and Hispanic kids all getting along so well together, being taught in a Catholic Youth center by Jewish instructors? Now that’s a really good example of diversity and harmony!
As one corps member put it so well, Andy could have been the originator of “No Kid Left Behind.” Nobody was ever left out, or made to feel unwelcome. We strengthened ourselves and supported each other; learned, and enhanced our new-found musical talents, and built a strong bond of friendship that will last forever. Andy was like a father to all of us, no matter what our background, or the color of our skin. Soon the corps swelled and it was decided to secure new cadet uniforms, designed by the corps members themselves of turquoise, black and white. Along with this perfusion of new young talent potential, Andy felt that the corps was ready for, and solicited the services of famed New York Skyliners Eric Perrilloux, Hy Drietzer, and Al Koch who would bring the corps to new and higher levels of achievement.
It would not be unusual to see Andy transporting corps members home after late Friday night rehearsals from Brooklyn out to eastern Long Island when they were stuck for a ride; or while the corps was on the road, pay for a lunch or dinner for someone who forgot their money or was a little short that week – never treating it as a loan, or ever looking to be paid back. For some, he also was the older brother, the “uncle” and even to some, he was like the father that was missing in their lives. Everyone was treated like family, and his priorities always put the kids in the corps before himself.
Andy was a great corps director and business manager. His leadership was key to the successes we had - keeping the neighborhood people involved, and attracting others from outside the neighborhood to be members. Taking a cue from Andy we never questioned anyone who joined the corps, whether they were white, Hispanic, African American or any race creed or color. The only question was whether they were committed to twice-weekly rehearsals, and could make all of the contests that we were entered into.
Andy was the “Go To” person for any problem you had, and he would listen attentively and provide sound advice about any issue that we might have. He also provided us with a home away from home where we were always welcome.
Andy ate, slept, and drank the spirits of Drum Corps - seven days a week, and was always willing to share his banquet with anyone and everyone who wished to sit at his table. He not only saved kids from broken homes, but from broken dreams as well. He understood everyone’s growing pains, and never ever gave up on us.
Andy provided a great lesson for all of us to carry forward in our lives, was looked up to and respected - not only as the director of the corps, but as a friend and a role model that many aspired to emulate in their own life. He taught us all a lesson in tolerance, forgiveness and understanding. It is because of his spirit, inspiration, compassion, and esprit de corps that many of us took the right road in life, and we love him for it. That many of us are still in drum corps today, more than forty years later – and enjoying more today - than we did yesterday, is a testament to him, and his legacy for us.
For all those lives you have touched, they are richer today because of you; and it is my privilege and honor to say, in their behalf,
“Congratulations . . . . .and THANK YOU . . . . . from all of your kids.
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