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Blues concert honours Debi Anselmo's memory (2 photos)

When Debi Anselmo was undergoing cancer treatment, she would often drop by the Northern Cancer Foundation office with her husband, Tony Anselmo.
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Debi Anselmo is seen her with husband Tony Anselmo in this family photo. Debi passed away last year. Tony has organized an April 10 benefit concert in her memory. Supplied photo.
When Debi Anselmo was undergoing cancer treatment, she would often drop by the Northern Cancer Foundation office with her husband, Tony Anselmo.

“She would come in and talk about how things could be better and what could she do to help (support the cancer foundation),” said Northern Cancer Foundation executive director Tannys Laughren.

“She told Tony 'Once I'm gone, you need to do stuff.' She told me 'Make sure you keep him involved.' She was really amazing.”

Debi passed away May 28 of last year, just one year after she was diagnosed with rectal cancer.

But her husband is making her dream of helping other cancer patients come true through a April 10 benefit concert featuring American blues singer and slide guitar player John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band.

Anselmo, well known in Sudbury as the former owner of Records on Wheels, which closed in February 2014, said his wife was a giving, thoughtful person. “How can I put this?” he said. “She was the light of my life.”

The couple, who were married for 37 years, have three children.

Debi, who over the years worked at Records on Wheels, in furniture sales and as the receptionist at a hair salon, shared her husband's love of music. Anselmo said he thinks his wife would be pleased by the fundraiser.

He said he's organized other benefit concerts, but this is his first show in 15 years.

Anselmo said Primer is an “exceptional” musician, and he's happy to bring him to Sudbury. The 70-year-old played with the Chicago Blues All-Stars and Muddy Waters, in addition to his long solo career.
Laughren said she thinks it will be a great concert.

“To bring in blues music of this calibre, personally, I'm looking really forward to it,” she said. “It's very nice when a fundraising event in support of my beloved foundation can also be something that I'm really going to enjoy.”

It's always humbling when a grieving family decides they want to help other cancer patients in memory of their loved ones, Laughren said. “I think that's an incredible attribute with a lot of our donors,” she said.

The concert takes place April 10 at the Caruso Club starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door and can be purchased at Jett Landry Music, Motley Kitchen and Northern Cancer Foundation.

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Heidi Ulrichsen

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