A teacher of classical music who trained as a composer, John E. Castellini died Friday at his home in Greenwich, Conn. He was 96.

        A music professor at Queens College in Flushing, N.Y., for 35 years, Mr. Castellini was the fourth son of Joseph John Castellini, who started the Cincinnati produce business of the same name.

        “He dedicated his life to teaching because he loved to impart knowledge,” said his niece, Mona Poynter of Hyde Park.

        Passing on his knowledge was a way of validating the education his father was able to provide him with, his niece said.

        Mr. Castellini studied under several prominent musicians and composers in Europe after he graduated from the University of Cincinnati and the College of Music of Cincinnati in 1928. He first studied musical composition in Rome under Ottorino Respighi. In 1929 he studied composition with Arnold Schonberg, and piano with Karl Schnabel in Berlin.

        After completing a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Southern California, Mr. Castellini returned to Cincinnati in 1932 to work as a sales representative in the family business.

        “During the Depression there weren't as many positions for musicians, and after that he went back to his first love,” his niece said.

        In 1937 he left for New York City to continue his life in music. He often came back to Cincinnati, usually twice a year to meet with family and always in May to see the Cincinnati May Festival.

        Through the May Festival, Mr. Castellini eventually struck up a friendship with the famous conductor James Conlon, who has been the festival's music director from 1979 to the present. One of the positions Mr. Conlon currently holds is the Principal Conductor of the Paris Opera.

        At Queens College, Mr. Castellini taught and conducted the school's symphony orchestra. He also conducted a local community choral society.

        Mr. Castellini considered his greatest achievement to be his students, his niece said.

        “To the day until he died he continued to hear from his students — they respected and loved him as both a professor and a friend,” she said.

        Other survivors include his daughter, Maureen Ahern of Harrison, N.Y.; a son, Michael of Bellingham, Mass.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; and other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne MacDonald Castellini, in 1987.

        Visitation will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Elden A. Good Funeral Home, 2620 Erie Ave., Hyde Park. Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary Church, Hyde Park.

        Memorials: Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College-City University of New York, attention Jonathan Irving, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, N.Y. 11367. Checks can be made payable to Queens College Foundation/Castellini Endowment Fund.

Awash in money, town flounders
Bishop Foys says he won't be silent
Farmers stress need for agriculture census
Levies for library, recreation proposed
Apt. fire wounds 1, leaves 5 displaced
Black United Front solicits help to turn away convention
Blue Ash to be better protected
Cheviot native makes history with march on Bastille Day
Elderly, police have monthly movie date
John E. Castellini, 96, music professor in N.Y., loved sharing knowledge
Police: Fugitive robbed woman
Tristate A.M. Report
HOWARD: Some Good News
Fairfield's new downtown fills; more construction starts
Pools add to Y's attractions
3 Rocky Mountain fever cases diagnosed
Day at beach turns tragic as four lose lives to waves
Four children killed in house fire
Male inmate convicted, jailed as female
Report sees stale future in Louisville
Way cleared for racetrack's tax break