Angelo Raymond Cuatto

Master accordion player, Angelo Raymond Cuatto, died of natural causes, Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at the Highland Care Center, 4285 Highland Dr. in Salt Lake City. He was born March 8, 1925, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ernest E. Cuatto and Angelina M. Cuatto. His father served in World War I and was a Dispenser of the Los Angeles Pool Hall; his mother, a devoted house wife. At a young age, Angelo’s father gave him the choice of becoming an accordion player or working in the mines. Angelo chose the accordion and never looked back. At age 14, his father passed away, which made Angelo even more determined to keep his promise of becoming the best accordion player possible. While the accordion was his primary instrument, he became an excellent musician—versatile enough to play everything from the classics to the popular to the contemporary. He performed on television in the Local Square Dance Jamboree and was the head of the Mariachi Band: The Gay Rancheros. He also was an accordion and musical instructor founding Angelo Cuatto’s Accordion Studios. Many of his students went on to win national, local and regional competitions. And for decades, he touched the lives of many with his passion for music.
He met his wife, Christine K. Cuatto, at her family’s farm in Columbia, Utah. The farm was a place where many gathered for food, drink and baseball. Later, he taught her how to play the accordion before marrying her on November 9, 1946 in Price, Utah. They moved to Salt Lake City one year after the birth of their daughter, Dianna Elaine, and spent their lives raising their family.
In his younger years, Angelo also excelled at boxing through high school, and he served in the ROTC at Hill Air Force base during World War II, while his young brother, Ettorino, served in the Navy. He enjoyed making people laugh through his practical jokes, and he loved bringing joy and beauty to them through music. He kept his sense of humor and beauty throughout all of his life. He also had a passion for movies and film, which he attended avidly, as well as concerts, good food with family and at restaurants, and helping people. He was personable, well liked, and always lent a helping hand to those in need. He is survived by his two children and son-in-law: Florian Angelo Cuatto, (Salt Lake), Dianna Elaine Cuatto Kessler, and Albert Leon Kessler, (both of Maryland).
Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church, 450 East, 2100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Gathering for family and friends to be held one-half hour before the service.
Flowers may be sent to Saint Ann’s prior to service or a donation may be sent in Angelo’s name to the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD, 21401.
Service Information

Celebration of Life
January 18, 2017 at 1:00 PM
2119 South 400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84115