In the summer of 2019 Tricia and I decided on a vacation in Southern Oregon. We set our sights on Florence, Bandon or Gold Beach. In the end we spent the last two weeks of August primarily in Gold Beach. It was to be our first two-week vacation in many years. We had no idea it would be our last.
We were all set to leave in a couple of days when we had a call from the doctor’s office. I was busy trying to decide how much not to bring with us when Tricia came into the room and told me that the pains she had been experiencing in her gut were due to NET, a very malicious cancer. All Tricia needed were a set of wings to confirm her angel status. After four major surgeries, each entailing weeks in the hospital and months of recovery time, multiple ER visits, ambulances in the small hours of the morning, she never once lost composure and her extraordinarily gentle spirit. Brave as the bravest warrior she was.
I began writing Stormy River in 2020, after my mom’s passing. I could never finish it, especially as Tricia became more and more frail with each necessary surgery. Her bowel was forever in danger of bursting if steps weren’t taken to cut away the cancer. In fact, in 2021 it nearly did. There was no amount of morphine to dull the pain. Another surgery quickly followed.
After almost 5 years of unspeakable courage, one more surgery was necessary, as again, her bowel had become a ball of tangled yarn. She asked the doctor to postpone the surgery for a few weeks so that my mind would be clear for the concert with the Quebec Philharmonic. So like Tricia. She knew the last one would be most difficult and wanted to spare me her after-surgery recovery.
I wanted to sing Stormy River with the orchestra but was missing some key lines in the last stanza. I resisted completing it for a couple of years, for obvious reasons. I did so right before leaving for Montreal.
My life is like a stormy river,
Driven to my destiny.
Unfulfilled until I pour myself into
The open arms of my sweet, departed love
That waits for me.
I never played the completed version for Tricia. How could I? In the final weeks Tricia could no longer even drink water. I had to administer liquids through a tube connected to her intestine. Though very emaciated, she was still unbelievably beautiful. I lost her not long after.
My friends I tell you these things because I know many of you are going through similar circumstances. I don’t know how I got through the last 9 months, but by the grace of God, I did. The loss threw me into the deepest end of faith—a more thoroughly examined life. That, or surrender altogether. Music and completing my seven-book series has helped. Tricia continues to be a profound inspiration to me. Our deep talks still ring in my ears.
I am presently thinking of adding Stormy River to the setlist. I love to sing this song, but every time I try, I have not been able to get all the way through to the end without some emotional hiccups. We’ll see.
I look forward to playing with the boys again. See you soon.
Love to you all,
G
13 Comments on “Stormy River…”
Gino, I cannot explain why, but I have had you on my mind for the past several months. Mostly thinking back to your music of the past and browsing through them on youtube. I also saw your recent appearance on The Mike Huckabee Show when you sang Stormy River there I think. Then I learned of your wife’s passing and my heart sank for you. Perhaps that was why you were on my mind so continuously lately. I’ve prayed that the Lord will strengthen you through the aftermath of your tradegy. I hope your continuing spiritual journey will make you even more so dependent on His strength and guidance. The book of the Psalms is always helpful to me when I need to be enlightened. but you are perhaps wiser than me in such things. I will leave you with a prayer of blessing:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you
May he lift up his countenance over you, and give you peace.
Amen!
A long distance admirer
Cregg
You have always been an inspiration to my soul.
Such a tremendous loss. You have always spoken so sweetly about your beautiful wife and son.
My deepest condolences for your loss. She is no longer in pain. May your precious memories carry you forward. 😢
I don’t really know how you feel, but I know all too well that a true artist feels the experience of living so very deeply. I don’t really know you and your life except for your work, and I have tremendous respect for that. I understand how the work can hold you up when the ground fails at your feet. So I selfishly say, let the work carry you. Express yourself. We’re all here and listening.
Dearest Gino, thank you for sharing your thoughts, with us. I’ve been Ill, for such a terribly long time, that I lost my sense of self, always worried about the burden I’ve placed on my wife, of 35 years.
The constant pain that I go through on a daily scale, is hard to put into words, surgery after surgery, after surgery…you just exist. The pain medication starts to stall, because you’ve been treating with it for so long, that it becomes ineffective.
Late last October, when I awoke, my Mrs appeared to be experiencing symptoms of what appeared to be a heart attack. A friend once explained to me what he felt during his heart attack, which I was able to visually see, and it prompted me to rush her to the hospital…my friend’s description of his event, was spot on and saved my Noreen’s life!
My point is to NEVER give up. I was so certain that I was going to lose the love of my life, that it made me dig deeper than I ever thought I could..much more than I thought I had.
Through the grace of God, we came through this life changing event, and I’m happy to say, my wife is recovering from her ❤…event…this is what they call a heart attack now a days…an event.
I rarely spoke of my struggles throughout my life…I’ve been handicapped, since I was 17 years old. Every day is a battle, it’s just unclear, how I’m going to win, the war.
I/we, take each and every day as the true gift, that it is….just that, a gift which our foundation is still secure, with our love still as strong, as it was, some 35 years ago. My wife loves me…and still likes me….that is important!
I wish you peace, dear Gino. Your loyal fan, from the very beginning.
Gino my deepest condolences I lost the most important person in my life Angela my wife in August 22 last year. we met when I did her 21 first birthday party 40years ago. I was a professional DJ and one of the songs she asked for was I just want to stop yes Gino your song. I struggle every day and night not having her next to me. and my I be so bold go listen to Dr Craig Hogan seak reality please. he’s helped me a lot and still does.
one final thing Gino my wife Angela loved your music and of course so do I. there’s two things which is keeping me going my spiritual belief and my music.hurts to be in love and living inside myself play inside my head and heart over and over sir. plus the new songs that you’ve wrote for your late wife Patricia there beautiful Gino.
Gino, I am so sorry for your loss.
You must have tremendous faith in God and a great acceptance of how the universe moves. My beautiful wife, DeInda, whom I’ve known for 5 wonderful years, is constantly fretting about my death. I am 67, and I am 15 years her senior. I have told her not to think of these things because as we know, death is coming for all of us, at which point she leaves the room in tears. She tells me she hopes she goes first because she could not stand losing me. I was so lucky to find her, and knowing how deeply she loves me is such a treasure to me.
I can see from your interviews and from your lyrics the pain and loss you have been through. Your latest writing is a constant reminder for all of us to cherish each precious moment of life. I am a long time fan of your music. When I saw that you were touring and had new music out, I was so happy, but sad for what you’ve been through. I just can’t imagine.
The music is so good and your voice is still so smooth. Your writing is some of the most prolific and beautiful lyrics yet. I love some of the older songs like “Gypsy Days” and “Take the Weight Off My Shoulders”. You have once again made true perfection with your newest work. I will be in Lufkin, TX for your upcoming show on April 12th, and I have told my wife DeInda, how amazing this show will be.
Thank you so much for all your years of great music and for getting out there now and doing it again for your fans, (and for your soul). I hope with all hope that you have found some sort of healing. Never stop doing what you love and sharing it with all of us. I wish you peace always.
this is for Gino and everyone else who have lost there wife or husband, since last Aug 2024 i went into the most darkest place in my mind, Angela wasn’t just my wife of 41 years she was my best friend and ever lasting soulmate, i don’t know were my wife is for sure but i just hope she’s in a far better place than me. i fight every day & night asking myself why? why did you take my wife away from me, i just feel i won’t get a answer to that question until my times up. but listen people when you are in deep sadness and you feel there’s no hope remember this? hopefully one day when your time is done on this earth and you wake up in a strange place, and you wonder were you are just open your eyes wider and you’ll see something wonderful….yes it’s your wife or husband and you look at each other with a huge smile and say… we are back were we started in your arms and we have a new journey to begin? fingers x that’s what i’m holding onto ladies & gentlemen…
I’ve put a few comments on here regarding Gino’s wife passing and my own wife too. but if i may be so bold may i say something regarding his songs. since the 70’s i knew this great singer/songwriter would be big, so may i just mention a few songs that myself & my wife love. 1 i die a little each day 2 night walker 3 people got to move.4 i just wanna stop.5 living inside myself. 6 hurts to be in love.7 and of course Gino’s new album which really touched my heart, Gino will always have a place in my music collection a amazing singer, thank you Gino for making me & my late wife very happy with you’re wonderful music…………
Hi Gino,
I want to share how sorry I was to hear about the loss of your beloved wife last year. I cannot imagine how difficult that must have been for you. From what you have written about her she must have been an extraordinary person. I always found it amazing that you had this strong bond for so many years with you being a performer and travelling as you do.
One of the reasons I am writing to you is because I was listening to an interview you did with Paul Leslie about your new album and you mentioned how you don’t reply to fans. At the end of January I had commented on this post on your IG (Official ginovannelli) and to my surprise received a reply and continued to DM. When I heard your interview I was disappointed not only that I had been duped by someone posing as you, but more so that someone could extort your personal pain by posing as you. I had been wondering if it was really you with whom I had been messaging. I feel bad that someone would do that to you. We had been having great conversation too😆!
That being said, I love your new album, I believe it to be one of your best. What a beautiful way to pay tribute to Patricia! I choke up listening to some of those songs and cannot fathom how you performed them without breaking down. I have left reviews on Amazon about it. I believe it to be one of your best works, and I cannot wait until your books are available! Thank you for your beautiful words and music. I hope to see you in concert again sometime and meet you again.
Take care!
From a genuine fan,
Shawna
I love you man your music touches me deeply, I hope you can play a long time and I hope you find a good woman again, thanks and I hope you continue to play and sing
Dear Gino,
I must start by saying I’m really sorry for your loss! May God comfort you with His divine comfort! I’m an American citizen living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’ve followed you since the 70s. I’m so much looking forward to your concert here on Nov. 26! All God’s blessings to you!
From a long-time fan, Don