Renowned Band Leader and saxophonist Bob Wilbur passed away in Boynton Beach, Florida, on July 10th. He was 80 years of age. Born August 25th, 1932 in Bronx N.Y., Bob moved to Woonsocket in the mid 1940's and assembled his own "Bob Wilbur Big Band" at the age of sixteen that performed at the Joyland Ballroom in Woonsocket from 1948 through 1955. For four decades, Bob and his band performed at local venues such as the Beverly Club in Bellingham, Ma., Ciro's Supper Club, The St.James Hotel, Fillippi's Jazz Club in Lincoln, and Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Ma., as well as throughout New England. Bob also performed with many of the superstars of his generation such as Sarah Vaughn, Cab Calloway, Gene Krupa, Julius La Rosa, Gregory Hines, and many more. He left Woonsocket to retire to South Florida in the mid 1980's, but assembled a new Bob Wilbur Big Band which performed throughout the Palm Beach/Ft.Lauderdale area. He is survived by wife Patricia (Tarble) Belanger, son Bruce, daughters Kim and Cheryl, brothers Joseph and Louis, grandchildren R.J.Brown, Lexi Brown, Carly Belanger, and great grandson Giovanni. A Memorial Service will be held at the Weiss Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, Florida, on July 19th from 1PM to 4PM.

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