Former co-owner of Joliet music store remembered for the music

JOLIET – Even at Helen Brandolino’s funeral, her daughter was meeting some of her mother’s old piano students for the first time.

Brandolino died Jan. 16, and her funeral was Tuesday.

She was a longtime Joliet piano teacher who, with her husband, Sandro “Sandy” Brandolino, opened Brandolino’s West Side Music Center and ran the store for 36 years.

“There were people at the service at St. Anthony’s Church that came and told me, ‘You don’t know me, but your mom gave me piano lessons when you were [at the home] on Clement Street,’” Marianne Brandolino said.

Such comments were not uncommon.

“Oh my gosh, I run into so many people that she taught lessons to,” she said.

Sandy was probably the more familiar figure of the store’s husband-and-wife business team. Helen ran the financial side of the business and filled in when a piano teacher could not make it for a lesson, her daughter said.

The Brandolinos sold the store in 2007. West Side Music Center no longer has the Brandolino name, but it still is in business at the same location, 1009 Jefferson St.

“It was a very well-established business, and certainly people recognize the name,” said Mark Scherf, who bought the store.

The Brandolinos’ grandson, Bobby Brandolino, continues the family name in the music business today with Brandolino’s Encore Music store at 700 W. Jefferson St. in Shorewood.

“My mother was so proud of my nephew Bobby,” Marianne said. “Bobby worked hand-in-hand with my dad.”

While Helen gave lessons at the store, she more frequently taught at the Brandolinos’ former home on Clement Street. She also taught for three years at the old Joliet Conservatory of Music, Marianne said.

But her music lessons actually go back to her husband Sandy’s military service, when he was at an Air Force base in Michigan in the 1950s.

“My dad played in the U.S. Air Force band, and it was his dream to open a music store,” Marianne said. While Sandy played in the band, Helen gave piano lessons to Air Force officers and their wives.

Helen is survived by Sandy, along with five children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren include Joliet City Councilman Jim McFarland.

“My mother was an inspiration to all who knew her,” Marianne said. “She touched many lives with her kindness and warmth. She would light up a room with her loving and compassionate personality and smile.”