Our Dad, Peter Tinturin, was born in Ekaterinoslav Russia some time shortly after the turn of the century. The way the story goes he was born and schooled in Russia, Palestine and Vienna while his father looked for work in the Americas after escaping the Russian revolution. We don't know much about those early years but we do know that as he entered New York harbor and saw the Statue of Liberty, he said it was one of the most beautiful sites he had ever seen. Apparently he was able to pay for his voyage to America by selling a stamp collection that he had assembled as a young child. Our Dad always talked so fondly of the reception he and my grandmother received as their ship arrived and they passed through the immigration process center at Ellis Island. Dad said everyone was so warm and welcoming.

Peter Tinturin, our farther, would become one of the most prolific song writers and musicians of our time. During his so brief stay among all of us whom he has left behind, he composed the music for Josephine Baker, three Zigfield Follies and some 77 pictures while under contract to Republic Studios. In addition to those movies and compositions he wrote several hundred songs that were published, performed, and recorded by the likes of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, The Platters, Glenn Miller and most every major performer of his day. Many of those compositions became number one songs and are played and performed to this day throughout the world.

Our dad served in the Signal Corp. during World War II where he was in charge of entertainment for our troops in the US and overseas. Mr. Tinturin, as his students called him, has received letters and commendations from the last five presidents as well as Franklin D. Roosevelt before them.
Our father's time on earth was full of music, love for his late wife, children, grandchildren and his students.

Peter Tinturin enjoyed a very productive and healthy life. He never had an idle moment and was always busy at one task or another. Mr. Tinturin wrote music up until the time when he became too weak to write the notes with pencil as he always had. When he could no longer see the notes that he was trying to put on the sheet music, his daughter-in-law stepped in and wrote down the music he played, as he played it.

Peter Tinturin leaves behind his two sons, Glenn and Lenny, and their families which consist of his daughters-in-law, Noelle and Judy, 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grand children.

All who knew Peter Tinturin will miss him. His smile, his warmth, his uncanny use of the English language, which was his second language, his musical genius and incredible touch at the piano, his ability at the chess board, his love for his late wife (our mother, Wela) and his children and their families, and mostly his unique way of making you feel you were so very important and so very loved. When you met our dad, you knew you had met someone you would never forget for as long as you lived.

Dad passed away recently after a short illness, in his home, surrounded by his belongings and family, and wearing one of his Hawaiian shirts of which he was so fond.

Dad, we will miss you so.
Your loving sons,
Lenny and Glenn, family and friends.