Los Angeles
County
Biographies
THOMAS D. PEDRINI, SR.
The
life of Mr. Thomas D. Pedrini, Sr., has been synonymous with music. Born in Italy, it seems natural that he grew
up with music, the speech of the angels.
He came to the United States when he was eleven years old. He was in a musical act when he was twenty,
and opened his own music store twenty-two years ago. A few years later he moved to the present
location at 230 West Main Street in Alhambra.
The Pedrini Music Store is the largest and most complete store of its
kind in the San Gabriel Valley. In stock
are all the popular instruments for the beginner or the virtuoso, for a combo,
a band or an orchestra. The
discriminating listener can buy stereophonic and high fidelity sound equipment,
AM and FM short wave radios, four speed phonographs, transistor radios and tape
recorders. The viewer can choose a
television set, and the performer can select sheet music. Pedrini’s self service record department
carries a large stock of records for the connoisseur of classical music, as
well as for the devotee of popular and dance music and that which is way out.
The
Pedrini Music School gives special instruction on all musical instruments. Most of the 200 students are taught
individually. Mr. Thomas D. Pedrini,
Sr., organized the business and the music school, and managed both until his
retirement. Now his sons,
Thomas Pedrini, Jr., is president, and Robert Eugene Pedrini,
secretary—treasurer, are in charge of operations.
Mr.
Thomas D. Pedrini, Sr., was born in the town of Bigliolo
in the Province of Tuscany, Italy. His
father, Benjamin Pedrini, was a farmer in Italy, and worked for the railroad
after he came to the United States in 1906.
His mother was Eufrasia (Spediacci)
Pedrini. Of
their 4 sons, 3 are living in this area.
Both parents are deceased. Young
Thomas D. Pedrini attended school in Italy until he was 11 years old. He continued his schooling in Chicago for 2
years. In 1913 Mr. Benjamin Pedrini
moved to San Francisco with his family, and Thomas D. Pedrini graduated from
Washington Irving High School in San Francisco.
In 1918 he moved to Los Angeles and taught music. He was a success in a musical act in
Vaudeville from 1920 – 1925. From 1925 –
1939 he gave musical lessons. In 1939 he
opened a music store opposite his present location. In 1945 he moved to a larger and more modern
store at 230 West Main Street, the present location. Three years later the store and to be
enlarged and greatly expanded, and now it is the largest and most complete
music store in the area. During World War II Mr. Pedrini, Sr., served in the home unit of
the National Guard.
On
July 11, 1921, Mr. Thomas D. Pedrini and Miss Elizabeth Jayne from Jackson,
Mississippi, eloped, and were married by a Southern Baptist minister. Mrs. Pedrini is an outstanding pianist, and
still teaches a few pupils in the Pedrini Music School. They have 4 children. Dorothy Jayne (Pedrini) Shea is a graduate of
Lincoln High School, Lincoln Heights, Los
Angeles. The Shea’s
have 6 children and live in Claremont.
Thomas D. Pedrini, Jr., is also a graduate of Lincoln High School,
Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, and lives in Alhambra with his wife and 4
children. He is a member of the Alhambra
Rotary Club. Mr. Thomas D. Pedrini, Jr.,
is president of Pedrini Music Store and Music School since the retirement of
his father. He teaches organ, piano and
accordion. Elizabeth Pedrini, now Mrs.
Benjamin Bennett, graduated from Lincoln High School, Lincoln Heights, Los
Angeles, and lives with her husband and 3 children in Covina. Robert Eugene Pedrini graduated from Alhambra
High School. He is secretary-treasurer
of Pedrini Music Store and Music School.
Mrs. and Mrs. Thomas D. Pedrini, Sr., are members of the First Methodist
Church of Alhambra.
Mr.
Pedrini, Sr. has fraternal affiliations with Masonic Lodge Chapter 605, Glassell Park in Highland Park, of which he has been a
member for more than 30 years, and Alhambra Elks Lodge BPOE No. 1328. He is a member of the Alhambra Chamber of
Commerce, and past member of the Alhambra Exchange Club.
On
his ranch in Riverside Mr. Pedrini, Sr., breeds and raises Shetland ponies, and
have now fifteen of them. His love is
still music and he enjoys playing the accordion.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 816-818, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPHIES