BEEKMAN - Robert Andrew Cagianese, 63, a Hudson Valley resident since 1987, and formerly of Baldwin, New York passed away on September 22, 2018 surrounded by loving family at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Manhattan following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, NY on October 27, 1954, he was the son of Dominick Cagianese and the late Diane (Retsas) Cagianese.

“Bob Cage” was the great-grandson of Anastasios Stathopoulo who founded the company which later became Epiphone. His uncles, Epi, Orpheus and Frixo, and the master craftsmen they employed, created fine musical instruments, and responded to the specific needs of musicians, promoting innovation and creativity.

Bob was a professional musician who performed locally, regionally and nationally carrying on the legacy of his Epiphone heritage. He was the master of the Flat-Top acoustic guitar and also sang, played violin, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, drums and piano. He was honored to share the stage with many well-known musicians over the years, including Larry Coryell, Les Paul, Pete Seeger, and Kofi Baker. He appeared twice on Bob Miles' "Miles of Music" TV show. He recorded his own album, “Epiphone Flat-Top”, on a pair of vintage Epiphone flat-top guitars. He was also awarded a Grammy in 2008 for playing violin on the folk album “Pete Seeger at 89.” He also was a local music teacher and mentor to many in the Hudson Valley.

Bob is survived by his wife, Eva (Lowenstein) Cagianese; his daughters, Sarah Frances Cagianese of Manhattan and Michelle Rose Cagianese of Williamsburg, Brooklyn; and his sister, Catherine (Cagianese) Engel and her husband Christopher Engel, his nephew Matthew Christopher Engel and his wife Adnana Engel of Chatham, NJ. Bob is survived by his niece Meredith (Engel) Begley and Sean Begley of Astoria, Queens, and his father, Dominick Cagianese and step-mother Gail Cagianese of Baldwin, NY & respective step siblings. He was predeceased by his mother Diane Artemis Cagianese.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 12-2pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction followed by a funeral service at 2pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hudson Valley Sloop Clearwater, 724 Wolcott Ave, Beacon, NY 12508. Please visit Bob’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com His music is available at BobCage.com