Nicolia’s seat with Philharmonic orchestra vacant during recent concert

The joy at the Jan. 23 Erie Philharmonic Orchestra concert, as everyone seemed to bask in the beauty of the newly refurbish Warner Theatre, was tempered by a sad note. Among the seats onstage for the musicians was an empty one where the late Louis Nicolia had sat for many years.

The orchestra lost one of its greatest musicians when Nicolia died Dec. 10 at 62. Not only was he a gifted violinist who played for 40 years with the Phil, Louie was a terrific guy who shared his awesome talents with practically everyone.

Remembering Nicolia in this manner was a nice gesture by Conductor Daniel Meyer and the musicians.

'Quietly spectacular': Longtime Erie Philharmonic violinist Louis Nicolia dies at 62

Alice “Opie” Wuenschel shares an interesting story about a Warner Theatre souvenir. In 1970, when her family decided to tear out the old kitchen in their farmhouse, they discovered an original Warner Theatre grand opening ticket beneath the linoleum countertop.

“When I showed the ticket to my mother, Helen McLaud, she told me that my dad, Benton McLaud, had sanded and finished the Warner’s mainstage floor just before the grand opening,” Alice said. “I donated the ticket to the Warner many years ago, and it’s now on display with other framed memorabilia on the east wall, near the restrooms.”

• Branford Marsalis, the one-time “Tonight Show” bandleader, is scheduled to perform Tuesday at Mercyhurst University’s D’Angelo Center. Marsalis, 61, and his quartet backed Jay Leno from 1992-95. It sounds like it was not a happy time for the musician. In later interviews, he complained about Leno, saying he hated having to laugh at so many stupid jokes.

But nobody can dispute Marsalis’ skill. He’s played with dozens of bands, including the Grateful Dead on several occasions, and is widely respected.

Coming Tuesday: Saxophone virtuoso Branford Marsalis brings his love of jazz, touring quartet to Erie

• When Bob DeMarco died Jan. 22 at the age of 94, Erie lost of its top sportsmen. A great athlete in his youth, Bob ranked as one of the region’s top football officials for decades. He was a good guy who, with his late wife, Gerrie, raised a fine family.

Speaking of the DeMarco family, I’m hearing that this could be the final tax season for longtime local accountant Dale DeMarco, Bob Demarco’s nephew. If Dale retires, it would be a blow to his many clients. On the other hand, in retirement, he would have more time to harass the front office of the Cleveland Browns. If they would only listen to DeMarco, the Browns might finally advance to the Super Bowl.

• The deer still standing in the woods around the region must be breathing a bit easier these days now that Jack Albertson has bagged his limit — again. An avid hunter for more than 50 years, Jack is amazed by the size of the bucks these days.

Big bucks: Late-season archers connect with trophy-size bucks in Pennsylvania

• Congratulations to Gannon University vice president, Steve Mauro. who was recently named president of Alfred State College in Alfred, N.Y. It’s a loss for Gannon and the Erie area.

• Al Washington Jr., just added to Marcus Freeman’s football staff at Notre Dame, has Erie ties. Washington, who has coached at Ohio State and other top universities, is the son of Al Washington Sr., who was born in Erie. The father was a terrific linebacker for Ohio State from 1977-80, and he later played in the NFL.

Al Washington Sr., who works for Erie Insurance in Columbus, Ohio, is the nephew of the late Richard Arrington, former Notre Dame All American in both football and wrestling. Arrington starred at East High in the 1960s and is still considered one of Erie’s all-time great athletes.

• Comedian Louie Anderson, who died Jan. 21 at 68, was fond of Erie. He appeared here twice at Jr.’s Last Laugh Comedy Club, and, according to sharp-eyed reader Claude Wegley, included a mention of Erie in his last book, “Hey Mom.” Claude says the Erie reference can be found on page 5.

• Cleveland Guardians fans must be disappointed that Omar Vizquel’s chances of making it to baseball’s Hall of Fame seem to be slipping away. The votes for Vizquel, one of the best shortstops in recent memory, plummeted in his fifth year on the ballot. It obviously relates to two scandals that have plagued Vizquel in recent years.

His ex-wife accused him of abusing her on several occasions, and Vizquel is currently contesting a suit for sexual harassment by a bat boy with autism. Vizquel was managing the Birmingham Barons at the time. It’s a shame because he was such a brilliant player.

• City Councilwman and former Erie Times-News editor Liz Allen posted an interesting note about Sister Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB, and the late Zen Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hahn, who died Jan. 22 at 95. Kownacki, who interviewed the Vietnamese monk in 1970, said, “Here was a man who had every right to be agitated, preoccupied … his life was a horror-movie serial. Daily he received anguished letters from friends telling of imprisonment, hunger, illness and death. Yet never had I met a more peaceful person.”

That’s an except from Kownacki’s book, “A Monk in the Inner City: The ABCs of a Spiritual Journey.”

Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Kevin Cuneo: Louis Nicolia, Branford Marsalis, Bob Demarco, more