Remembering Perry Pickering

All of the remembrances and thoughts shared here of President Emeritus Perry Pickering will be sent to his wife Lucy Pickering. If you would like to post please email Diane.

IN MEMORIAM
PERRY FRANCIS PICKERING 1918 – 2004
A TRIBUTE

Perry was born on July 13, 1918. He joined the Army during World War II, serving for five years. He was already a fan of Nelson Eddy and saw all of his movies. However, he tells the story of going to the post theater to see Knickerbocker Holiday and deciding it was such a bad film, he walked out half way through the movie.

After the war, Perry went into civil service, working for the postal service for thirty-five years. He married Lucy Giustina. Perry had one sister, was the father of a son and a daughter, had two grandchildren and was great grandfather of three. Lucy became as big a Nelson fan as Perry and worked side by side with him to perpetuate the memory and the music of the famed baritone.

After Nelson’s death, all of his fan clubs were disbanded at his request. However, people in Ireland and England felt an appreciation society to keep Nelson’s memory alive did not technically violate Nelson’s wishes. Connie Holdsworth, in England, eventually became president of the group and at this time Perry took on the job of US/Canada Representative. When Connie found it necessary to resign her position due to ill health in 1993 Perry took over from her as Co-President of the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society. Lucy assumed the demanding role of Secretary. Many changes were made to the journal over the years and through Perry and Lucy’s diligence, it became an outstanding publication.

Perry was not content to sit and let things roll along. He made a point of contacting all sorts of resource people to request and encourage the making of audio tapes and later CDs. He and Lucy hosted a one time spot on a radio show in Baltimore in 1977, a tribute to Nelson Eddy. Perry also was on top of all correspondence with members of the NEAS world wide. He answered all mail promptly from the nearly 700 members, always in a friendly and welcoming way.

One year Lucy and Perry attended an Elderhostel at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania at Erie, PA, hosted by Dr. John Marsh. After the program, Perry approached Dr. Marsh to ask if he might host a session based on American Music Theater, focusing particularly on Nelson Eddy. Dr. Marsh was agreeable and for several years ran an Elderhostel with this theme at the university. When Dr. Marsh retired from teaching, he arranged to have these meetings continue at the beautiful Victorian Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs, PA. Close to 100 members of the NEAS attend these meetings each year. Perry and Lucy were always on hand to meet and greet everyone and make each person feel totally welcome.

In 2003, Perry found it necessary to give up his position as Co-President of the Society due to ill health. Sadly, he passed away at 9:15 Monday morning, August 16, 2004. He will be sadly missed by all of the people he befriended over his many years of loyalty to Nelson and to the NEAS.

A Mass was celebrated at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church on Friday, August 20, 2004 with interment following at Lorraine Park Cemetery with military honors. (Military honors include a bugle rendition of Taps, a military escort, folding of the flag and presentation of the flag to Lucy.)

The deepest, heartfelt sympathy of all the members of the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society go out to Lucy Pickering and to her family.

(Anna Michalik, Co-President retired, NEAS)

The following is an article from The Baltimore Sun
Perry F. Pickering, 86, authority on Nelson Eddy
By Frederick N. Rasmussen
Sun Staff

August 21, 2004

Perry F. Pickering, a retired postal worker and well-known authority on the music and film careers of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, died of cancer Monday at his Catonsville home. He was 86.

It was while sitting in a darkened Baltimore movie theater in 1935 while watching a screen version of Victor Herbert's 1910 operetta Naughty Marietta starring Mr. Eddy and Ms. MacDonald that Mr. Pickering first fell under the spell of the singing Hollywood cinematic duo.

"From then on, that was it," said his wife of 44 years, the former Lucy F. Giustina.

For Mr. Pickering, who worked as a mail carrier for 35 years until retiring in 1973, it became a lifelong interest. He and his wife collected recordings, films and other memorabilia devoted to their two favorite stars.

Until last year when he retired for health reasons, Mr. Pickering was the U.S. representative for the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society that is based in England. He also edited the organization's magazine, The Gold Star.

Mr. Pickering's knowledge of Mr. Eddy, a baritone, was so voluminous that he could name the songs from each of the movies he appeared in as well as other biographical data from the star's life.

Mr. Eddy, who was born and raised in Providence, R.I., made 19 films, and in the 1950s starred in a popular touring nightclub act. He died in 1967 after suffering a stroke.

Ms. MacDonald was born in Philadelphia and made her Broadway debut in 1929. She starred in 28 films. She died in 1965.

"Of course his name was linked romantically with all his leading ladies," Mr. Pickering told The Evening Sun in a 1974 article, "like Miss MacDonald, Virginia Bruce, Jessica Dragonette and the others. But he never married any of them."

Mr. Pickering who enjoyed sharing his enthusiasm for the two stars with others, appeared frequently during the 1970s on WBJC-FM's The World of Operetta, a weekly radio show, that was hosted by Evening Sun music critic Alfred G. Haynes.

He also was host for discussions of Nelson Eddy films that were shown at the Westview Cinema for many years. He and his wife organized a program and 45 minutes of Mr. Eddy's music that they took to senior citizen centers and libraries.

In 1987, the couple began a Nelson Eddy program for the Elderhostel at Edinboro College in Pennsylvania.

They were contacted in 1990 by public television station WTTW in Chicago to participate in a program featuring Mr. Eddy and Ms. MacDonald.

"They agreed to send a crew to film our proceedings at Edinboro College and, together with the Jeanette MacDonald Club of California, was born America's Singing Sweethearts that was hosted by Jane Powell," Mrs. Pickering said.

"The one-hour show premiered on public television in 1993 and is now being shown regularly on Turner Classic Movies. If one looks quickly, Perry can be seen in one shot and is listed in the credits."

For years, Mr. And Mrs. Pickering, dressed formally, would travel to the Blue Room at Washington's Shoreham Hotel to enjoy Mr. Eddy's nightclub act.

"He was absolutely superb and had a fantastic voice. We met him after the performances and he was very kind and pleased to talk with us," Mrs. Pickering said.

Her husband's favorite songs were "Rosemarie" and "And When I'm Calling You," his wife said.

Mr. Pickering was born in Baltimore and raised in Fells Point. He was a graduate of Patterson Park High School and attended what is now Towson University. He served in the Army as a keypunch operator during World War II.

He was a member of American Legion Post 109. He also enjoyed big-band music and dancing, especially the tango. He also liked traveling by ship and had completed 25 cruises.

A Mass of Christian burial was offered yesterday for Mr. Pickering at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in Catonsville.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Edward Pickering of Burlington, N.C.; a daughter, Christina Yarbrough of Sitka, Alaska; a sister, Elaine Barnette of Catonsville; two granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren. An earlier marriage to Nancy Ricketts, ended in divorce.

Copyright © 2004, The Baltimore Sun

Dear Mrs. Pickering,

I didn't know Mr. Pickering, but I feel as if I did. His legacy with NEAS will always be appreciated and remembered by youngsters like myself who have an appreciation for Nelson's music and hope to share that love with generations to come.

Thank you so much for being there for him, so that the both of you could share Mr. Eddy's legacy with us in such a warm, genuine way.

Sincerely,

Ginny Sayre

Dear Lucy,

Perry will be remembered for all the love he shared with members of the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society. He was so knowledgeable and gracious with his time. He taught so many of us about Nelson Eddy's legacy. He will be missed by all the members of the NEAS. Know that we are all with you in thought and prayer during this difficult time. The Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society will always be synonymous with Perry and Lucy Pickering. Our collective Family is diminished by this loss. God Bless You, dear.

Diane Flaherty

Perry Pickering will always be remembered by Nelson Eddy fans for his extraordinary dedication to the man and his music.