S Edith E. (Sacco) Gliesman

HOLDEN – Edith E. (Sacco) Gliesman, 89, of Stoneleigh Road, died Wednesday, March 21, 2007 in Wing Memorial Hospital, Palmer after an illness.

Her husband of 33 years, Harold K. Gliesman died in 1981. She leaves her son, Kenneth P. Gliesman and his wife Jacquie of Fiskdale; three grandchildren, Jared, Karli and Tara Gliesman; many nieces and nephews. A son, Richard E. Gliesman, four brothers, Frank, Tony, Phil, and Sam Sacco, a sister, Jenny Ferraro and a grandson, Jesse R. Gliesman predeceased her. She was born in Waterbury, CT, daughter of Domenic and Maria (Torchia) Sacco. She graduated from Wilby High School in Waterbury in 1935 and lived in Holden for over fifty years.

Edith was an accomplished musician who also used the stage name “Edie Mann” after getting married. A singer, pianist, violinist, saxophonist, organist and songwriter, she taught singing and wrote a music column for a local Waterbury newspaper. In the 1930’s she was Connecticut’s Best Female Popular Vocalist for WATR and WBRY and served as Musical Director at WATR for 8 years. Beginning in 1937 she was the featured vocalist at the “Copper Room” at the Elton Hotel five nights a week and sang with Will Osborn’s and Enric Madriguera’s orchestras and Horace Heidt’s band. During World War II she entertained and wrote to blind GI’s at a Veterans Center in Avon, CT. In the late 40’s she performed with the Delfino vocal trio and arranged their music. On Sunday evenings (1952) she performed on her own show, “Edie Mann Show” on WTAG where she often featured songs written by her brother, the late Tony Sacco also a published songwriter and entertainer. She sang in many local nightclubs and became a radio favorite all over New England.

She was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses-Kingdom Hall in Worcester, the Quota Club and the American Federation of Musicians Local 143 in Worcester.

The funeral service for Edith will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Burial will be private. Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Palmer Healthcare Center, Activities Fund, 250 Shearer Street, Palmer, MA 01069.

Website & Guestbook: www.milesfuneralhome.com