Elwood B Price Jr

Elwood "Bunny" Price, 82 of Worcester, noted Jazz Musician passed away Saturday, September 27, 2014 in St Vincent Hospital after being stricken ill earlier. Bunny was born February 10, 1932 in Worcester, the eldest of nine children of Elwood "Barney" Price, Sr. and Muriel (Anderson) Price. He graduated from Commerce High School in 1950. Joined the U.S. Army in 1952, to serve his country during the Korean War. Being a musician, he was assigned to the Army Band playing the trumpet, later being re-assigned to combat duty as an army medic in Korea where he earned a bronze star for actions in battle. Upon his return to Worcester, Bunny enrolled in the Berklee School of Music in Boston studying trumpet, music composition and Jazz theory. In 1955, Bunny married Elizabeth "Betty" Salmon; together they would spend the next 37 years happily, raising five children and countless foster children over the years until Betty passed away in 1992. Bunny continued to live in the Worcester area until he passed. Elwood worked in the printing industry all his life. He worked as a Pressman for the American Bank & Stationary Company, The Fallon Clinic and in the printing department of the Worcester County Sheriff's Office. He excelled in music and played alongside some of the most noteworthy Jazz musicians in the Worcester area at several night spots, as well as alongside his father Barney Price, also a well-known Jazz musician. Bunny was a member of the Musicians Union Local 143 and attended Belmont AME Zion Church. Bunny is also noted in the Jazz musicians hall of fame and database of well-known area musicians. Bunny is survived by the legacy of his family; his five children, Reggie, Allen, Dante and Atlantis Price all of Worcester, and Stacey (Price) Randolph of Pittsburgh; His grandchildren, Devin Price, Aimee Berrios, Adrian and Andre Price, Dominaye, Montez, Andre, Stacia and Linwood Randolph, Jr.; two great grandchildren; his beloved companion of the last 20 years Beatrice Mabeza; Many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Besides his immediate family, Bunny leaves his six siblings, Phillip C. Price and his wife Louise, Thomas E. Price and his wife Paula, Muriel B. Geter, Gerald C. Price and his wife Annie, Geraldine C. Jackson, and Kenneth S. Price. Bunny was pre deceased by his brother, Richard "Ricky" Price, and his sister, Beverly M. Levicie. Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Thursday, October 2nd 2014 from 5 pm to 8 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral service will be held Friday, October 3rd at 11:00 am in Belmont AME Zion Church, 55 Illinois St. Burial with Military honors next to his wife Betty will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. The family requests that flowers be omitted..