Passages: Marking those who have moved on
Obituaries: George Grace, Stephen Perry, Mike Phelps, John Larson, William Bates, Frank Gerard, Pete Ciraolo, Ric Gustavel, Rob Scheuer
Editors note: One of the losses with the decline of our daily news media has been the loss of a great obituary section. Obituaries in the daily paper weren’t the small print, paid pieces. Those were considered “death notices.” Obituaries were the stories summing up the lives of the significant people who had left this sphere. For decades Dale Anderson turned it into an art form, capturing the lives of the famous and the interesting with equal aplomb. But Dale retired last year, and The Buffalo News largely relies on paid death notices to note passings; if your family is willing to pay, you get in.
So The Buffalo Hive is taking on a new task: Passages. Our goal is not to note the arrangements surrounding wakes and funerals (although those may be present), but to note the deaths of people who are significant in our community’s arts and cultural communities, remembering their achievements. We don’t charge for this; we regard it as news coverage. But we will have to rely on people letting us know when we have loss people who are big parts of the fabric of our communities. So please email the editor at editor@thebuffalohive.com when you hear of someone’s death. While time and staffing constraints may not allow us to cover every one of them and we’re sure to miss some people, we will endeavor to do our best to mark these passings … hence the name of this feature.
We’re starting today with a piece from Ida Goeckel marking the passages of some significant Western New Yorkers over the past few months.
— Elmer Ploetz
Editor-in-Chief
By Ida Goeckel
George Grace — Sept. 30, 1951-Sept. 14, 2025
Dale Anderson wrote a fitting tribute in the Buffalo News. Below are a borrowed quote and some excerpts that describe George’s contribution to the local arts community:
“George Grace had a creative energy that was too big to squeeze into a single art form.” An acclaimed painter, he served four terms as president of the Buffalo Society of Artists. Additionally, he was included in a 1987 survey of the city’s promising young playwrights. He was also an accomplished and published poet, founder of the Circleformance poetry series and leader of the Lit Garden writers’ group. Much of his art and poetry depicted scenes and tales from the Bethlehem Steel Plant, where he had worked. His other artistic works were self-described as “technocolumnist,” favoring low light urban and industrial scenes. His works were exhibited in many local and out-of-state galleries. His poetry and musings in the My View column of the Buffalo News reflected a man of the people, and his wry sense of humor and dry delivery of his writings were beloved among his fellow poets. So much so, that the poetry community dedicated a loving tribute to him at the Screening Room in November 2025. And if that weren’t enough, he was also a formidable tournament chess champion. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Donna. To me, he was a dear friend, whom I miss terribly. His voice, artistry, and presence left a lasting impact.
Stephen Perry — Sept. 24, 2025
Stephen M. Perry, 61, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Sept. 24, 2025. He was raised in Grand Island, where he graduated from high school and he later earned his bachelor’s degree in design from SUNY Buffalo.
A gifted artist and painter, Stephen poured his creativity into every facet of his life. He was employed at Insty Prints in Kenmore, a role he deeply loved. His artistic legacy includes designing album covers for friends’ bands, each one a testament to his eye for detail and passion for music. Steve had a passion for music and was an excellent guitarist and songwriter. He had been the lead guitarist for the former local bands Veil, Zig Zag and The Sins and was a staple performer at The Continental for many years. A celebration of his life was held in December at The Mohawk Place.
Robert Michael ‘Mike’ Phelps — Sept. 21, 1953-Oct. 17, 2025
Below are excerpts from the bio written by Elmer Ploetz for the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame website:
Mike’s music career spanned more than five decades. He recorded on over 40-50 albums, performed with countless bands across the country and toured overseas, always bringing passion and heart to every performance. In 2017, he was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, a well-earned honor for a lifetime dedicated to his craft.
Though his talent and accomplishments earned him wide respect, Mike was never one to seek the Spotlight. He remained a low-key, down-to-earth guy. He stayed true to who he was humble, warm and quietly present.
It isn’t just the music they’ll remember, but the man behind the drums. Mike was a drummer who people loved to play with. So much so, in fact, that was one of the most in demand drummers in the area. Not bad for a guy who was largely self-taught growing up in Niagara Falls, N.Y. He picked up the drums as a teenager after getting into music upon hearing the Beatles and R&B.
He studied here and there with Hall of Famer Lou Marino, as well as with BPO’s percussionist John Rowland, but after graduating from Trott Vocational, he found himself too busy playing shows or going on the road to take continuous lessons.
One of his first professional bands was Circus, playing with John Dieckman, who would become known as one of the area’s best steel guitar players. His first venture into the recording studio was when he was called to fill in for Sandy Konikoff on a session with former Raven members Tommy Calandra and Ernie Corallo.
Mike’s timing and his versatility had been his trademarks. He played regularly with the Dave Constantino Band, The Willies and occasionally with Mark Winsick, Mr. Conrad, Doug Yeomans and others. Phelps frequently played with Doug Morgano and Nick Veltri’s Morvells in their R&B showcases, playing on three of their recordings and recording with many of the associated artists. Phelps has been on recordings by Ernie Corallo, Jack Civiletto & Mark Coughlin, Gretchen Schulz, the John Henry Band, Pete Howard & the Morvells, and Ed Bentley.
Mike’s beat lives on not only in the recordings he left behind, but in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege to know him and experience his music. His legacy continues through his grandson, who proudly follows in his footsteps as a drummer.
Rob Scheuer — Aug. 9, 1949 – Feb. 15, 2026
The funeral home obituary mentioned that Rob, aka Robbie, had received the Blues Beat Magazine 2005 Muddy Waters Award for Drummer of the Year and that he was also nominated for the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. He opened for various national recording acts, including Fleetwood Mac and Muddy Waters.
But, if anyone wants a true summation of Rob’s life, his former band mate and friend, Pete Howard’s testimony below is spot on:
“Soul. I’m writing about this because a friend of mine, who embodied the essence of soul, recently passed away. To me, Rob Scheurer was the epitome of soulfulness, both as a performing musician and a human being.
“In music, Soul suggests the ability of any musician, black or white or whatever, to play with emotion, or ‘feel.’ Performing music soulfully takes more than technical ability. It requires the musician to seize the opportunity to express his or her love of music and to do it with conviction – purposefully, consistently, joyfully or painfully, as if every song might be the last.
“Robbie was such a musician. Talent wise, he was the premier blues shuffle drummer in Buffalo for 60 years. A founding member of the Shakin’ Smith Blues Band, and leader of the Steady Rollin’ Band, the Buffalo Kingsnake Band and yhe Jammin’ Gypsies, he worked the best Buffalo clubs – the Bona Vista, the Lafayette Tap Room, the Tralf, the River Grill and the Sportsmen’s Tavern.
“He had the rare ability to play the Chicago blues style beat tirelessly, and he did it at an elite level. Although his singing voice was not exactly operatic, he had the uncanny ability to tell a story in such a way that people listened to the words, many of which were from his original songs. Rob had great posture and poise when he played, and a special way of engaging listeners and dancers. He almost always wore shorts and kicked with bare feet or sandals even in the winter. I will always remember him like that, with his eyes shut tight, ‘feeling’ the music. And the song always kept moving forward, steady and strong as a well-oiled machine.
“Rob’s unique musical style, and his love of the visceral nature of the blues, would outlive disco music of the ’80s. It would survive the movement toward electronic drums in the ’90s. And I dare say, with faith, that Rob’s spiritual energy would have exposed the fake soul of AI generated music of today.
“The idea of Soul has helped explain how we humans have a need to believe in something greater than our physicality. To assuage our fear of death and to inspire hope of a greater life beyond this one, we embrace the idea of an eternal soul. Robbie was a devout Christian, and the idea of the Soul being saved through Christ’s sacrifice to live in eternity was embedded firmly, unwavering, in every aspect of his life.
“Souls, as we understand them in our everyday life experience, are sometimes fragile, vulnerable things, prone to wandering, and even becoming lost. There was no one who better understood the Christian mandate to help those in need than Robbie Scheuer. As one who had wandered too far, and stood on the edge of the abyss, I know Robbie as a man who always left a light on for his friends. If anyone could ever save a soul, it was Rob.
“Allow me this definition of Soul: the quality of a human or any other sentient creature (Rob loved his dogs) that’s dedicated to love, compassion and truth in a world that is often cruel and unjust.
“Rob was devoted to love, compassion, and truth. He was saddened and angered by our government today, one that is characterized by revenge, divisiveness and intolerance, and where lies triumph over truth.
“I believe Rob Scheuer understood better than most of us what everlasting life means, and that if we are to achieve it, we must put love above all else. May his wonderful Soul rest in peace!”
John Larson — Sept. 25, 1958-Dec. 3, 2025
John was a consummate drummer, whose versatility gave him the opportunity to play eclectic styles of music. Unassuming and humble, with quiet prowess, he took the stage as the ultimate team player and secret weapon to every band’s success. His resume’ touts bands such as the Rod Nixon Project, Sabotage, Big Spender, the Jamie Moses Band, Kaitlin Koch and, most recently, with the band A-List. John will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. If desired, contributions can be made in his memory to the Blues Society of WNY’s NursnBlues program.
William G. Bates — April 15, 1941-Dec. 20, 2025
Bill was a drummer, drum tech and a motorcycle enthusiast. A true musician’s musician, in April 2023, he was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame at a tribute ceremony at the Sportsmen’s Tavern. He wore it proudly as a badge of honor. Bill’s portfolio includes his longtime stint with the Nickel City Clipper Dixieland band with Ted House, John Warick and George Kane. In addition, he had played with countless jazz players, including renowned Canadian artists like Jeffery Arthur at the Crystal Chandelier at Crystal Beach, and Randy and Warren Stirtzinger at Port Delhousie in St. Catherines.He also had a stint with the local band Carina and the Six String Preacher. He generously provided the backline for both the Sportsmen’s Tavern and The Cave, as well as for the Female Musicians Fighting Breast Cancer Benefit before the event was moved to the Sportsmen’s. He was called upon to provide backline for Max Roach when he came to the former Tralf. There was a posthumous tribute to Bill on February 16, 2026, at the Sportsmen’s Tavern.
If you’d like to honor his memory, Bill would’ve loved nothing more than for you to listen to a local band, or share a good meal with good company.
Frank Gerard — Nov. 28, 1943-Dec. 23, 2025
Frank was a pillar in the Buffalo Jazz guitar community, having taught guitar for over 60 years and playing in local jazz acts. He also leaves behind the thousands of people whose lives he touched through music and his friendship.
Former student Chuck DeRose said in a tribute, “For anyone that didn’t know Frank, he was Buffalo’s preeminent jazz guitar educator. Any local guitarist that wanted to up their game and really get inside playing changes and get down to work went to Park Ridge Music on South Park Avenue in Blasdell to sit down with him. And once Frank saw one was serious about it, a one-hour lesson would turn into a two-hour-plus lesson.
“I will give you an idea of his passion and generosity: one never paid more than the cost of the hour. Any of us that had the pleasure and privilege to study with him know this, and also the fact that he would give you so much information and material that he would have the nerve to ask you, ‘Do you have enough?!’ Yeah Frank, I have enough to practice for a year!!! So a hundred and thirty minutes and eight cups of coffee later, I personally would leave there with my musical brain spinning.
“I know that I speak for anyone who knew him when I say thank you for everything that you gave to everyone. He was an absolutely wonderful human being.”
Pete Ciraolo — Aug. 19, 1944-Jan. 2, 2026
His career was dominated by the field of education, spending the majority of his 34 years as K-12 chairman of the department of Music at the Lake Shore Central school district in Angola. There, he specialized in the teaching of brass instruments, percussion, and many others while he also conducted the Stage Band, Jazz Ensemble, Musical Theater Orchestra and Marching Band, performing annually at the Memorial Day Parade, Strawberry Festival and for numerous football games. In addition, he was a much sought after private trumpet instructor for younger students, ensuring that his dedication, passion, and love for music would be a lasting legacy.
His life as a professional musician was reflected most significantly by his formation of the Pete Ciraolo All-Star Big Band, a collection of some of the finest jazz musicians in Western New York, which he founded and led for more than 25 years, and the Pete Ciraolo Ensemble, for smaller events, comprised of four, five or sometimes six members. He also played trumpet regularly with the Joe Baudo Big Band at the Sportsmen’s Tavern, and with the George Scott Band at the Colored Musicians Club. He has since donated thousands of pieces of music and band charts from his personal collection to the Club so the bebop and jazz music he loved so strongly can live on through all future generations.
Former bandmate and fellow teacher Joe Parisi said, “Today was a very sad day for the loss of my very dear friend Pete Ciraolo. As a teacher, band director and performer many of his students referred to him as Mr. C. He played all over WNY with his quartet and later formed and directed the Canisius College jazz ensemble, who competed and won first place for a non-music major school at Villanova. He later started the Pete Ciraolo All-Star Big Band, which was his pride and joy.”
Eric (Ric) Gustavel — Oct. 5, 1964-Jan. 3, 2026
Eric was an accomplished musician and bass player. He was a well-known name in the Buffalo music scene for decades and will be greatly missed by his music brothers and sisters. He performed with many bands, including Sequins, Grand Illusion, Passionworks, Back to the Bars, Initiation, OCDC, Wunderland, Coda, Chicago Authority, Disco Duck, Blackout and Paragon. He taught at Twin Village Music store and was always generous with advice when asked. He brought a smile, a joke, possibly a silly costume, with music to touch your heart in so many ways. He leaves a legacy of talent and kindness.
Feel free to add your memories through the comments section on this page.
If you have a suggestion for someone who should be included in Passages, please forward the information to editor@thebuffalohive.com.
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