Roy J. Straigis

Roy J. Straigis, professional musician, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was 92.

Roy is best known as a musical arranger, songwriter, producer and session keyboardist for Cameo-Parkway Records. He worked with artists such as Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, Fabian, and DeeDee Sharp. Roy’s biggest mainstream hit came in 1963 with “So Much in Love” by the Tymes, reaching #1 on the Billboard charts that year. In 1993 the musical group, All-4-One, brought that song to #5 on the charts. Over the years “So Much in Love” has been covered by Lulu, the Shangri-Las, Art Garfunkel, and the Eagles’ Timothy B. Schmit version was on the soundtrack for “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.”

In the late 60s Roy was the piano player for Jerry Blavat’s television show “The Discophonic Scene.” In his autobiography, Jerry said that Roy was the best piano player in the business!

Roy’s additional accomplishments include composing the music for the National Geographic Special “The Yukon Passage”; 15 plus years writing, arranging and composing for the University of Pennsylvania’s musical comedy revue The Mask and Wig Club; and work with the R & M Musical Comedy Workshop.

More recently, Roy, along with his partner, Artie Singer, wrote the music for Gina D’s Kid Club, an educational children’s program that aired nationally from 2004 to 2008.

Roy is predeceased by his brother Robert, mother Anna (Uzupus), father Charles, and step-father Ralph Giordano. Roy is survived by Joan, his wife of 66 years, his daughter Teri and her husband Norm Geckle, sons Bob, Roy and his girlfriend Cory, Chris and his wife Hillary. Grandchildren TJ and his wife Kate, Tim and his fiancé Samantha, Jadyn, and Zoë. And great-grandchildren Amelia, Julia, Austin and Zachary. As well as many cousins.

Funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 35 Old Eagle School Road, Wayne, PA on October 4, 2024. Visitation will be 10am to 11am in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Mass will follow directly after visitation.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Roy’s memory is greatly appreciated. www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to The Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Bridgeport, PA