A LIFE REMEMBERED 

 TRIBUTE 

1928 - 1985

                                         EARLY LIFE / ACHIEVEMENTS / FINAL YEARS 

In the late 1920s, Lewis Edward Trubey, William Lesley Trubey's father, moved his family from Orlando to Clearwater Florida. His mother, Muriel Osborn Trubey, was a nurse and his father was a barber. 

He had five siblings: Lewis Merle, Charles Francis, Shirley Maxine, Muriel Lovina and Myrtle Carolyn.  His older brother, Lewis, served in the U.S. Coast Guard during WWII. Charles served in the U.S. Navy. His sister Shirley was a nurse, and the other two were housewives.

Lewis' son, "Les", attended Disston Middle School and Junior High in nearby Saint Petersburg, Florida. He later transferred to Largo High School for a year, before graduating from Saint Petersburg High. Les was St. Pete High's star athlete and class president for three years. After school, he works to save his money for books.

In 1947, after graduating from high school, he married Patricia Corbett originally from Dublin, Ohio. She modelled for Webb City. She was a Charm School beauty queen, and was in the cover of ‘Colliers Magazine’ a national publications. Les and Patricia met during high school, while he was working after school for her father's construction business.

Les was offered a full four year football-track scholarship  by the  University of Tennessee for being a great athlete and a straight-A student. However, he choose instead to follow his passion for music, and despite the financial burden, Les elected to attend the well respected, prestigious Peabody  Conservatory Institute of John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Les struggled to make ends meet with his young family. He studied at the institute during the day and took on two night jobs.  In between classes at the Peabody, he managed to find time to study voice with Joe McKee Travers. A sought after voice coach, Mr. Travers was also a pianist in Baltimore, and was well known as a composer of patriotic songs about America, Maryland and the city of Baltimore. His songbook includes "One Nation Under God".  

The financial hardship became too much for the young couple, who by then had added their  

first born son, Dennis. They were forced to move back to Florida just shy of graduation. Upon their return in 1950's, Les' father-in-law built the young couple a home in Saint Petersburg beach, Florida in 1951. 

Les found a job at a music store. He made a living selling instruments and sheet music during the day and performed with professional trio at night for much of the decade. He also appeared with the Music Box Players Theatre in many roles.

Their second son, Donald, was born soon after their return to Florida, and Douglas would follow a few years later in the late fifties. 

The best Christmas the three boys remembers in their household was in the late 1950's. They were not allowed to wake up their parents not until after 6:00 A.M., but boys being boys, they got up anyway earlier and snuck out of their rooms to see what was under the Christmas tree. They could hardly contain themselves when they saw three shinny bicycles nestled under the tree. Somehow, they managed to stay quiet as they scurried back into bed to wait the long hour, before waking up mom and dad.  During this festive time their mother, Pat, always made a big Christmas dinner for the family at home.

Les found that his commitment to performing with the group which often took him on the road, and his day job left little quality time with his family. So during the late fifties Les decided to make a career change, and took a test to help guide him through the process. The results of the aptitude test revealed that he should pursue a career in either law, music or sales.

Sales seemed the better fit. So drawing on his experienced with the downtown music store, he opened his own store on 5012 Central Avenue in Saint Petersburg, Florida in 1958. The Central Music Store was started with 2,000 square feet of retail space. In 1973 Les open a new office in New Port Richey, Florida. He also relocated Central Music in St. Petersburg to its present location on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater, Florida expanding to 15,000-square feet of retail.

                   



Les brought his oldest son, Dennis, into the business in 1972, two years after he graduated from college with a degree in Political Science.  Dennis was introduced as Vice President of Central Music.

The company enjoyed growth and stability under family management. Dennis became the top salesperson for Wurlitzer organs and pianos in 1975 for Florida and Georgia.

In 1977 Dennis' contributions to the business were recognized by their principle national supplier, Wurlitzer, naming him “District Manager” in DeKalb, Illinois with a company car, monthly allowances and a hefty salary.

At the time Wurlitzer was the country's premiere organ and piano manufacturer in the U.S. and all over the world. It was founded by German immigrant, Rudolph Wurlitzer, in 1853 in Ohio.

Les seized the chance to retire and spend more time with his wife, Pat. He decided to sell the company in 1977. Central Music continued to expand under the new ownership of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Newbey, and now serves an International market with stores in Florida, Georgia and the Caribbean.

Les, found more time to pursue his passions and varied talents in retirement. He immersed himself in the performing arts, took classes and returned to sports, where he had excelled in his youth. He competes in the World Masters Games. Les picked up state and national titles in track and field events at the Master level culminating in a Southeast U.S. regional championship title.





This win entitled him to compete in the World Masters Games Internationally.

He distinguished himself competing against the best athlete at the World Masters Level in the U.S., before he compete in Hannover Germany on July 27th through August 2nd of 1979, and Puerto Rico on September 23rd - 30th 1983. 

In 1984 he went to Los Angeles, California to watch the Summer Olympic, officially known as the "Games of the XXIII Olympiad." Les was so excited to be there in person since he's an athlete himself.

However,few weeks after he returned back home to Florida, he felt very sick. He thought he has the flu but he was diagnosed with cancer. Like all of his challenges, he decided to face his fate on his own terms.

Six months after he came back from California, On February 9th, 1985,  surrounded by his loving family he died at the age of 56.

                 

          THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC
          
In the early days, Les played with Dell Statton Trio at the famous Alibi Club in Palm Beach. He always stole the show on the Palm Beach stage. That's where he met Lew Wasserman, a nationally known talent agent from Hollywood, thinks Les looks like "Charlton Heston." Washerman was the mentor and promoter credited with discovering many legendary talents including Alfred Hitchcock, Marilyn Monroe, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Stewart to name a few. 

Many thoughts Les could have been famous.  He had it all ... Great looks, charisma, talent, and a leading man's baritone voice! This was surely to be Les' big break in the industry. But due to his prior commitment to Dell Statton Trio, and a schedule of solid bookings, Les missed his chance with Lew Wasserman. The celebrity agent waited for no one, no matter how talented they might be. So if you missed your one chance to audition, there would be no second chance.

Les' career in entertainment actually started in the early 1950’s on WSUN-TV with his group The Overtones (Frank Masi and Danny Page). The group were the house band on a daily show, which showcased young amateur dancers in the popular dance hall format of the day.

Frank Masi left the group in 1952. Page and Les wanted to carry on without Masi appearing as a duo at the Plaid Bar in St. Petersburg, Florida. They soon found that the group's sound could not survive the loss of Masi, so they decided to split up.

Les founded a new band with Roger Athens and Fred Sharon. The "Guys and I" featured Les on the standing bass with his smooth baritone voice accompanied by Roger on drums, and Fred on piano. The new combo specialized in show tunes and lighter melodies, which they mastered with fineness showcasing Les' warmth and personality.

Les went back to the upbeat rhythms of his dance days with his next band, The Composers. The trio included Dean Dewberry and Woody Woodruff, and rose in celebrity as one of the nations best touring dance bands. Their hot sound embraced popular dance music of the day, and included the Latin-American dance music popularized in South Florida's Latin community. "The Composers" played throughout Florida, Fort Wayne Texas, Dayton Ohio, and Chicago.

In the late fifties Les found a new sound with Stuart Russell, who played the piano. The duo "Trubey and Russell" settled into the Cactus Room at the La Playa Hotel in Redington Beach, Florida, where they played Thursday through Saturday night from nine to three in the morning. Les' style, personality and pure talent connected with his audience. He was an exciting performer, whose love for the music and rhythms of the day, he always brought the crowd to their feet.

THEATRE AND SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

MUSIC BOX PLAYER THEATRE   

May 15, 1966 – SHE LOVES ME:(A Euphoric Romantic Musical)  Les as ‘George Nowak’, the lead role, and stage actress Sue Landers played the role of Amelia, his love interest. It is about two people, Amelia and George works together at a modest Hungarian parfumerie, and disliked each other from the beginning. He thinks she's stuck up and she thinks he's arrogant and mean. But each writes to a lonely hearts pen pal after work day is done, not knowing to each others ad.                                                  

 May 6, 1965 – CALL ME MADAM: Les Trubey as ‘Cosmo Constantine’ and stage actress Millie Fouts played ‘Sally Adams’. Stage actress Lana Sloniger played the role of  ‘Princess Maria.’ Stage actor Jim La Rue played ‘Kenneth Gibson.’  The play was based on the famous Washington D.C. social leader and enthusiastic party host, Perle Mesta, who was named U.S. minister to the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg during the Truman administration.

October, 16, 1965 – DAMN YANKEE: Les Trubey played the role of ‘Joe Hardy,’ and (stage actress Dawn Fulghum) played the role of romantic lead ‘Meg’. This musical is about a baseball fan Joe Boyd.  He sells his soul to the devil and turned him into a handsome 'Shoeless' Joe Hardy and be the home run hitter to give his favorite team, a win against those "damn Yankees". Les Trubey sang "Hearts" and "Whatever Lola Wants".

Jan 15, 1965 – SHAKESPEARE - TAMING OF THE SHREW: Les Trubey as the male romantic lead role,  ‘Petrucio’ a fortune seeker and actress Linda Knowles played as 'Bianca'. She is the modest and beautiful most coveted maiden in Padua but no one can marry her before a match is found for her, willful "shrewish" older sister, Kate. Stage actress Lee Smith played the role of 'Kate' and stage actor Richard Nemann as 'Bautista'.

February 10, 1966 – ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: Les Trubey played the role of ‘Prince Dauntless’. Stage actress, Millie Fouts played the role of Pricess Winnifred. The story goes .... due to unhappy curse, King Sextimus is unable to speak. His terror-of-a-wife, Queen Agrarian has taken over control of the Kingdom. Most importantly, in an attempt to keep Prince Dauntless single, she has decreed that only the Princess that can pass her test marry her son. In the meantime, no one else in the Kingdom may marry until Prince Dauntless does.  The play was base on the famous fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea”.

Dec.3, 1966 - GYPSY: Pat Trubey played the role of 'Mazeppa'.  The musical tells the story of Gypsy Rose Lee's mother, as the quintessential, stage 
mother. Pat's character 'Mazeppa' was a fun role with big personality. She played an experienced stripper, sassy hot-tempered, tough but beautiful gal. The role Mazeppa doesn't stand for insult or for anyone who thinks they're better than she is. 

February 6, 1967 – FUNNY GIRL: Les as ‘Nick Arnstein’, and ‘Fanny’ was played by stage actress Carol Gruber. Funny Girl is about the life of Fanny Brice, an aspiring Broadway actress. She starts off the show as 'ugly duckling' struggling to find work on Broadway. Later falls in love with a handsome gambler, Nick Arnstein and after a long courting process they got married and she end up supporting his crazy business ventures.

April 17, 1967 – BLITHE SPIRIT: Les played ‘Charles’ who was married to Ruth, stage actress Sally Hubbard, who has a spiritualist ‘Madam Arcati’ played by stage actress Millie Fouts. Charles and his second wife Ruth invite the skeptical Dr. Bradman and his anxious-to-believe wife, Violet. When in the course of the seance, Madam Arcati mistakenly summons Charles' first wife, Elvira back from beyond, and things get out of hand. Stage actress Sheila Shear played the role of Elvira.

Nov. 15^th, 1971 – ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER: Les, shared top billing with Marilyn Marzella as Daisy Gamble who thinks she has some unusual powers. Les' role was Dr. Mark Bruckner the hypnotist-psychiatrist. When Daisy is under hypnosis, she reverts to a previous existence in the 18th century. In her other life she was a "lady" - refined, delicate, charming, eloquent everything that the modern Daisy is not. In the play Les Trubey sang two beautiful songs: “Melinda” and “Come Back To Me”.

                            ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS

St. Petersburg High School 
Varsity Football star player.

                          University of Tennessee 
                          One year as Quarterback

Masters Florida Track and Field – Les won five events in the early 1980’s.

Florida Half Century League – He was a pitcher, his team won five times and was in the State Championship in 1980 and 1982

Les competed in the National Masters Track and Field in the U.S.  Above was his competition number and competition profile from the Puerto Rico World Masters Game on September 23rd through September 30th 1983.  Before that, Les was in Hannover, Germany on July 27th through August 2nd of 1979.  

                   

             
    ANECDOTES

Above all, Les Trubey loved life, and his family. To list his achievements w/out including his family, would fail to recognize the source of his passion, which brought him so much success and joy in life. Les, had so many memorable and defining life moments. But there are a few that stand out above the rest. He would say that becoming a father at the young age of 20, and later a grandfather were the most valued and fulfilling events of his life.

When he welcomed his first grandchild, 'Melanie', his heart swelled with love. His thoughts flashed forward and promised all the adventures they would share together.

His second grandchild, Corbett, would come a few years later. Les was truly besotted with each of his grandchildren, a thrill that would stay with him for the rest of his life. For Les, life sweetest pleasure was to be part of their lives, watching each child blossom into their own unique ways or personalities.
  

Les thoughts of guiding    their little hands and  helping them navigate the challenge of everyday life is such a blessing for him to experienced. He would wanted them to know that he would always be there for each of them.

Les always encouraged his boys to pursue their hopes and dreams, no matter how difficult or different choices may seem to others. He would like them to do things that "light their fire" because he knows great things will follow.

He love for his boys to take risk, make mistakes. Heck with what "if"...do it! For Les, the worst thing in life is to look back and say to yourself: I would have ... I could have ... I should have.

He always persuade his boys to dream big and work hard. Dreaming is one of the greatest gifts so look at the world with wide-eyed enthusiasm, and believe you are the most powerful than the problems that confronts you. 

Les was impressed by the character of the man, not by appearances of wealth or power, which he knew were at best temporary in life.

The story of William Leslie Trubey is that of a man whose special talents were natural and true. His legacy in life will live on and have touch the lives of others. Les, Trubey was a natural modern day Renaissance man, a role model and was a good man!