Those of you who were up early on Valentine’s Day and were on Front Street were treated to the powerful sounds of bagpipe music, as bagpiper Darrell Calvillo played the bagpipes for Jean Crow’s farewell to Catalina.
Jean was always proud of her Scottish Heritage so the honor of bagpipes to bid a final tally ho was an exceptional and fitting farewell.
Darrell’s bagpipe music was extraordinary and did enthrall so many on such a beautiful morning.
Darrell Calvillo is an accomplished and professional bagpipe player as well as a music educator and competitor.
His love of music began when he was only nine years old and has become a lifelong passion.
When he was only in the eighth grade he began playing the bagpipes with the Glendora High School Pipe Band. He attended Citrus College and received his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of La Verne.
His bagpipe music was definitely a profound gift to Avalon on Valentine’s Day.
The bagpipe music echoed beautifully across the bay as Darrell and family and friends walked from Ben’s Park down Crescent, past the Pier and the Fountain, through Via Casino, and past the Yacht and Tuna Clubs to near the Casino. He then returned to the base of the Pier.
The sound of bagpipe music brought businesses to a near stop early on Valentine’s Day as patrons and employees rushed to hear and take a picture of this rarity on Catalina. Golf carts made u-turns in the street as did many vehicles. Jean would have so enjoyed this as she loved to bask in the limelight.
At the base of the Pier Darrell played an unbelievable rendition of “Amazing Grace” which brought tears to not only family and friends but many tourists alike. At the end of the Pier he played “Going Home” as Captain Brent from Catalina Coastal Tours took Jean’s ashes accompanied by her three sons: Bobby, Steve, and Murray across of the bay to her forever home with her “Dear Louis” in the Pacific Ocean with her beloved Avalon in sight.
