Peter George Fassoulis passed away on February 9, 2021, at peace after battling Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Covid-19.
Born on the 17th day of October, 20th Century, in Paterson, New Jersey, Peter’s other homes included Miami, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Boulder, Colorado and Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Miami School of Architecture.
Pete’s humor, his music, and his art are legendary. Among other talents, he was a music photographer for The Daily Camera, and his original photographs – many hand-painted – of Aaron Neville, Joe Pass, Milt Hinton, Chaka Kahn, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Snooks Eaglin, and a myriad of others are museum-quality fine art. A lot of these artists requested that Pete personally photograph their concerts because they knew him and liked him.
Pete’s hand-beaded guitars and speakers (even Vandersteen Speakers) are incredibly intricate and exquisite.
Pete musicianship brought him to play percussion with New York musician Chaz Leary, when Chaz moved to Boulder. Known for his audiophile chops, “Stereo Pete” was an expert stereo repair technician with a loyal following at Paul Epstein’s Twist and Shout Records in Denver.
Pete also happened to be a talented athlete on a softball team called The Smokers who won the citywide championship. Just for fun. They smoked everybody.
Pete and his brother Tom spoke Greek beautifully. Even if they were saying, “Pass the Moussaka,” in Greek, it sounded like poetry.
As long as he was able to go, Pete never missed the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, guiding friends through the fairgrounds for the inside scoop and best experience.
The Fassoulis (“Fas-SOUL-is”) College of Music is where many friends learned great soul hits from Professor Fassoulis. So, every day while a devoted caretaker visited him in his final month, she played music for him on a boom box she smuggled into the hospital and nursing residence. It was music that he had put together. This is what he requested. This is who Pete was and still is. Music. Soul Music. Songs like ‘I Only Have Eyes for You’ by the Flamingos, and ‘If You Need Me’ by Solomon Burke, and ‘I’m With You’ by The 5 Royales.
Pete’s playlist also included Arthur Alexander, Charles Brown, Alvin “Shine” Robinson, Little Johnny Taylor, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, James Brown, Etta James, Irma Thomas, Lavern Baker, Mitty Collier, Little Esther, Betty Wright, The Sweet Inspirations with Whitney Houston’s mom (Cissy Houston), Joe Liggins and The Honeydrippers (Going Back To New Orleans), Randy Crawford, the Neville Brothers, just to name a few.
He was a walking encyclopedia of great soul and eclectic American hits as well as lesser-known artists. He introduced friends to Tejano musicians Flaco Jimenez and Esteban Jordan – “El Parche.”
Pete dug jazz, too. Especially Thelonious Monk, Milt Hinton, Jimmy Scott, Nancy Wilson and Billie Holiday. Pete played some guitar, piano and percussion by ear. He taught himself a Monk tune, Misterioso, on piano – no small feat.
Peter is survived by loving brother Tom Fassoulis and many friends who were family to him. Peter’s mother, Mary Fassoulis (neé Kyriacou); and father, Bob Nicholas Fassoulis, preceded him in passing away. A multitude of friends from around the country lent their prayers and support for Peter. Staying close by to Peter to give love and ease his pain were friends and caregivers Lynnea Godfriaux, Rob and Candy Mclerran and their son Joe Mclerran.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for Spring or Summer in Boulder County, Colorado, at Foothills Gardens of Memory. Condolences or memories about Pete may be shared on this page.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the ‘Peter Fassoulis Memorial Fund’ to assist Pete’s brother Tom Fassoulis in final arrangements may donate at https://gofund.me/ab9b9453.
All who were lucky enough to know Peter Fassoulis and call him “friend” were indeed touched by a rare and wonderful soul.
Good Night, Peter. We’ll see you in our dreams.
