Obituary of Robert W. Livingston

February 26, 2016. Robert (Bob), the son of Clarence and Isabelle Livingston, was born in Rochester, NY in 1929. He grew up in East Rochester, graduating East Rochester High School in 1947. He served in the Army band after graduation. After that he returned to Rochester and pursued his career as a jazz drummer. He began with pianist Tommy Aquino. He married the former Patricia Smith and they moved to New York City where he performed with jazz greats such as Count Basie, Eddie Condon, Art Tatum, Peanuts Hucko and others. He appeared on television with singers Pat Boone and Andy Williams. Eventually Bob went from playing drums to teaching drum students. One of his students, Les DeMerle, has a fabulous career of his own as a jazz drummer, traveling all over the world, and forming the Amelia Island Jazz Festival in Florida. Bob and Pat and daughter Suzanne moved to Victor, NY in 1973 and ran The Different Drummer Antiques Shop for many years. Bob was sought after for furniture repair and refinishing and also for his art work, painting portraits of people and places locally. After the antique shop closed down Bob returned to the local music scene playing with bands such as the Chick Edmonds Big Band, Bud DeTars band, Bourbon Street Jazz and many others including his own, the Bob Livingston Golden Grill Jazz Band. He and Pat were founders of the Flower City Jazz Society. His later years were devoted to his family. Wife Patricia, who died in 2009. Daughter Suzanne, who along with her husband Christopher D'Aurizio had 3 children, Natalie, Anthony, and Shaina D'Aurizio. In his final year Shaina and her fiance Christopher Barker, presented Bob with his great granddaughter Lilly Barker. Bob was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Patricia, his brother Alden Livingston, sisters Margaret Robertson and Jean Horst, niece Barbara Livingston, and nephew Budd Alden Robertson. He is survived by daughter Suzanne (Christopher) D'Aurizio, grandchildren Natalie, Anthony, and Shaina(Christopher Barker), and great granddaughter Lilly Barker, nieces Nancy Stoker, Tracy Gates, nephews Donald Robertson and Eric Horst, several great nieces and nephews, and dear friends Les and Bonnie DeMerle. Burial will be at St. Bridgets Cemetery, Bloomfield, NY at a later date.