Retired Army Lt. Col. Roy A. D'Agnessa, 85, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, with his wife by his side.

He was born Oct. 7, 1929, in the lower east side of Manhattan and was the son of Joseph and Anna D'Agnessa.

Roy was an accomplished jazz musician. He began playing piano at the age of six, and music became his first love. At 13, he started a band with friends who he stayed connected with his entire life. A musical highlight of his teenage years was being privileged to accompany Jimmy Durante on piano in a staged performance. As a member of a musical family, he loved to jam with his father and son Roy every chance he got. He joined a 17-piece swing band from 1969-1983. The Big Band Association played for many social and non-profit organizations. For the past five years, Roy shared his music with the residents of the Carolina Inn.

Roy attended Officer's Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga. He served in the infantry division in the Korean War. When released from the Army, he joined the New York National Guard where he commanded a missile site in Brookville, New York. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. He never missed the opportunity to travel throughout the U.S. for his yearly Officer's Candidate School Reunion.

Roy also spent over two decades working in the New York textile industry.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jean; and children, Roy D'Agnessa and wife, Lorraine Loffrado, of East Moriches, N.Y., Kathy Shapiro of Rensselaer, N.Y., Linda Peter and husband, Ron, of North Massapequa, N.Y., Richard D' Agnessa of North Massapequa, Cheryl Batteen and husband, Ron, of Hope Mills, Michael Heustess and wife, Wanda, of Morganton, and Bill Heustess of Atlanta. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Lauren, Graig, Dann, Miranda, Zachary, Michelle, Katie, Aaron, Jessica and Issac; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Jo Anne D'Agnessa.

Roy attended Westminster Presbyterian Church for more than 30 years.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, in Cross Creek Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. J. Richard McDuffie and the Rev. Dr. Ben West officiating. A celebration of Roy's life will follow at 3 p.m. in Westminster Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2505 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304.