LeRoy J. Nutile of Needham, a businessman, civic leader and popular bandleader, died Monday at Harrington House nursing home and rehabilitation facility in Walpole. He was 85.
Born in Boston, Mr. Nutile graduated from English High School and attended Boston College, where he played in the marching band.
He was a successful agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance in Greater Boston and earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter, the most respected designation of insurance expertise.
He taught insurance courses at Boston University, and opened Nutile Insurance Agency in Needham after retiring from Met Life.
Mr. Nutile was involved in civic affairs in Needham, where he moved from his hometown of East Boston in 1953. He was a Town Meeting member for more than 30 years, president of the Needham Pool Racquet Club, a lifelong member of The Village Club, and helped run events for the Exchange Club. He was also president of the Metropolitan Life Veterans Association.
In 1945, he started a 15-piece big band with a Boston English classmate, Joseph Barisano, better known as Ray Barron, which lasted until the 1950s. In 1970, Mr. Nutile started the Roy Nutile Orchestra, also a 15-piece swing band, which was one of the region’s most successful big bands, playing at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, and at galas, dances and concerts in more than 20 communities. It also was the feature entertainment at the three Big Dig Bridge and Tunnel Walks for the public in the fall of 2002. The band is active today as the Tom Nutile Big Band, run by Roy’s son, Tom, a former reporter and columnist at the Boston Herald.
Mr. Nutile is survived by his wife, Eleanor; and two sons, Tom and Michael of Dallas.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Bartholomew Church, Needham.
Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham.
Arrangements by Eaton Funeral Home, Needham.