Victor Centro

Victor Centro, 82, of Fairfield, IA, formerly of Carson City, NV, died Sunday, January 7, 2007 in Fairfield,

According to his wishes, his body will be cremated and the ashes laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Nancy. There will be no services.

The family asks that donations, in lieu of flowers, be sent to the Noreen and Phil Nimmons Scholarship in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto. Contact:
Miriam Stephan, Alumni Developement Office
miriam.stephan@utoronto.ca
416-946-3580 for a donation form.

Victor Centro was born October 14, 1924 in Vancouver, B.C., to Anthony Centro and Mary Popolo Centro. He was a professional musician specializing in the jazz accordion. Vic played with such groups as Nimmons 'n Nine and the Bill Page Orchestra, as well as the Vic Centro Sextette. He was a beloved music teacher of accordion, keyboard, and guitar.

Before moving to to Los Angeles in 1968, he spent 20 years in Toronto. In 1973, he moved to Carson City, NV, and became a U.S. citizen in 1975.

Vic married Edna Perle Fraser in 1953 and they had three children: Gregory, Cathy, and Nancy. They were later divorced. In 1977, he married Nancy Johnson Marchesi of Carson City. They moved to Iowa in 2003.

Vic was a quiet, gentle person who loved playing and listening to jazz and teaching young students. He enjoyed playing computer games, chess, and Scrabble. In the last 2 years, he enjoyed living close to his oldest grandchild, Justiel, and being part of her family.

He is survived by his stepchildren: Charlotte Wright of Iowa City, IA, Jan Wright of Ashland, OR, Greg Wright and wife Shannon of Bakersfield, CA, and Paul Wright of Rexburg, ID; his children: Cathy Centro of Huntsville, Ontario, and Nancy McDowell and her husband Randy of Burnaby, B.C.

Vic was grandfather to 18 grandchildren: Justiel Hunter and her husband Jeff, Dylan Ruediger and his wife Anna, Jessica Ruediger and her husband John, Luke Ruediger and his wife Susie, Chelsea Ruediger, Wendy Bertagnole and her husband Tracy, Ben Wright and his wife Astrid, Julie Wright, Jason Wright, Jared Wright, Jessica Peterson and her husband Tyler, Josie Wright, Tyler Shakespeare, Tristan Shakespeare, Dae Beauford, Jayme Beauford, Shayne Beauford, and Dustin Beauford. He has 11 great-grandchildren.

Vic was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Centro, his son Gregory Centro, his brother Joseph Centro, granddaughter Kally Mae Wright, and his dear cat, Pepper.