POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam is mourning the passing of composer and Crane School of Music Professor Emeritus Elliot A. Del Borgo.

Del Borgo passed away suddenly recently at the age of 74.

He is survived by his wife, fellow Crane graduate Nancy W. Del Borgo, and their two daughters, Anne and Laura.

In addition to the music he composed for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, he published more than 600 compositions for a variety of media, including two volumes entitled “Foundations for Strings.”

“Elliot Del Borgo is remembered on this sad occasion with deep admiration by many at Crane -- those who knew him as a student, as a teacher, and as a colleague,” Crane Dean Michael Sitton said.

“His contributions to the school were very significant, and his influence as a brilliant composer and dedicated music educator have extended throughout the profession. He will be long celebrated as a very special member of the Crane family,” Sitton said.

Born in Port Chester, Del Borgo earned his bachelor's degree from SUNY Potsdam in 1960, before going on to receive a master of education degree from Temple University. He also holds a master of music degree from the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, where he studied theory and composition with Vincent Persichetti and trumpet with Gilbert Johnson.

In 1973 he was granted the doctoral equivalency by SUNY and was elected to membership in the American Bandmasters Association in 1993.

Del Borgo taught instrumental music in the Philadelphia public schools and was professor of music at Crane, where he held teaching and administrative positions from 1966 to 1995. He was the first chair of the Department of Music Theory, History and Composition. While at Crane he also directed the Crane Wind Ensemble.

An award-winning member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, he was a frequent consultant, clinician, lecturer and adjudicator in the United States and abroad. He was an internationally known conductor of bands and orchestras.

Calling hours for Del Borgo will be at Cummings Funeral Service in Watertown Thursday, June 6 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.