The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Dear Friends,

The Sanfilippo family of Barrington Hills, Illinois announces the passing of their father, Jasper B. Sanfilippo, who died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Former CEO and Chairman of John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., Jasper was also known World-wide for his Collection of Automatic Music Instruments, the World's largest restored Theater Pipe Organ, the restoration of the most complete European Salon Carousel in existence - the 1890 Eden Palais Carousel - and the sharing of all through charity fund raising events and tours.

The Sanfilippo family is humbled by the immense impact Jasper has had on the business world, the collector world, the nonprofit charity world, and the many friends made over his 88 years.

Memorial arrangements will be released shortly and communicated through this Sanfilippo Foundation's E-Newsletter and our Website: http://www.SanfilippoFoundation.org
Written condolences may be sent to this address:
Sanfilippo Family, P.O. Box 367 Barrington, IL 60011.

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It is sad to hear the passing of a great man of the hobby. My condolences to the family

A very sad time indeed. Like many who attend the Union show, I always enjoyed my visits to the Victorian Palace and appreciated all that Jasper and Marion did to share their collection with us.

He will be missed, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Sad to hear the news. Jasper will surely be missed by us all.

Sad to hear of Jasper's passing. The hobby has lost a very special man. I will never forget visiting his wonderful collection. It is truly magnificent.

Oh sad day, we are deeply disheartened to hear this news. Jasper was an inspiration to us all, assembling one of the finest collections of phonographs and other musical instruments. Our sincere condolences go out to Marion and the family. May Jasper rest in peace. Russie and Lori Ofria.

Jasper touched the lives of four generations of my family. He was caring and sharing regardless of your social class. My family first met Jasper around 25 years ago when he was having a sale of some of his surplus machines, parts and pieces in one of the storage buildings located as you enter his property. We were vacationing in Chicago and had heard of Jasper but had never met him or been to his home. When we arrived in our modest conversion van in our vacation attire, my daughter who was around 10 years old started to cough and Jasper immediately said lets get her something to drink, why don't you follow me up to my house. He hopped into a big black sedan with "PEANUT" license plates and we proceeded to follow him up to the Mansion. We all went down to the bar were he gave my daughter a glass of cold soda and asked her if she was ok. He then proceeded to give the four of us, whom he had never met before, a private tour complete with playing multiple band organs. We had a wonderful time. We have returned many times over the years during the Union Show open house. One year we talked my parents into coming, my wife and I got separated from my parents as we toured the collection. After awhile we went searching for my parents only to find my dear mother holding on to Jaspers arm being given a short tour and demonstration of various machines. Keep in mind Jasper did not personally know me or my mother, that was just the way he was... friendly and caring to all. My mom passed away a few years latter and meeting Jasper was one of the high lights of her final years. Last year during the Union Show my wife and I took two of our grandchildren to Jasper's Mansion, yes the children of the once 10 year old girl with the cough that Jasper took such good care of. We told them the story of how their mother met Jasper as we watched Jasper receive his award during the Antique Phonograph Society presentation. Our grandchildren were in awe. So hats off to Jasper! He was one of a kind and will be missed.

Good people do good things and he did

Jasper was an inspiration to us all and he will be greatly missed. I learned so much by observing and listening to the machines he found, and lovingly put back to like-new condition, and making his dreams become a reality, and being kind enough to share.

May he rest in peace.

- Bill