IN MEMORIAM: Stretch Pyott

Time to honor another pioneer of the Folksong Society and Folk Festival, Stretch Pyott. He was a jovial man, always ready with a joke. Gene Shay, noted for some of the worst groaners ever foisted on music lovers for the sake of stalling during set change at the festival, recalls that Stretch would bug him to collect those bad puns into a book to sell at the festival, "You'll make a lot of money!" was the constant jibe.

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IN MEMORIAM: Stretch Pyott

POSTED: Friday, December 16, 2011, 4:30 PM

Filed Under: In Memoriam | Music

Stretch Pyott at the 1988 Philadelphia Folk Festival calling the Saturday afternoon Square Dance. By (Ellen Nassberg)

Time to honor another pioneer of the Folksong Society and Folk Festival, Stretch Pyott. He was a jovial man, always ready with a joke. Gene Shay, noted for some of the worst groaners ever foisted on music lovers for the sake of stalling during set change at the festival, recalls that Stretch would bug him to collect those bad puns into a book to sell at the festival, "You'll make a lot of money!" was the constant jibe.

"Now," says Gene, "If I ever do write that book, it will be dedicated to his memory."

Reflecting some more, "He and his wife [Teresa] were good friends of folk song, folk dance and folk tales." Caryl P. Weiss who formerly performed with Teresa in several groups, wrote a private email ennumerating some of the fun Stretch created — among the earliest concerts at Penn's Landing, on the deck of the Gazella Primera. Others state he was a father of the old time music scene. Stretch served on the board of the Folksong Society for years, several of them as president. His personal warmth naturally drew others to participate in all his volunteer activities.

As published in Inky:

HOWARD R. "Stretch", Dec. 13, 2011, age 83. Beloved husband of Teresa (nee Mingle); dear father of Richard (Roana), Susan (Michael) Siropaides, Mary (Damian) DiEuliis, Christopher (Barbara) and the late David; loving grandfather of 5 and great grandfather of 6. Relatives, friends, retirees of Rohm & Haas, and Phila. Folk Song Society are invited to his Funeral Sat., 8:30 A.M., ROSE FUNERAL HOME, 2616 Bridge St., (Bridesburg) Phila. with Funeral Mass at 10 A.M., All Saints Church. Int. Resurrection Cem. Friends may call Fri. eve. 7-9 P.M. Memorials in his name to All Saints Church, 2651 Buckius St., Phila., PA 19137 would be appreciated.

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