During World War II, Mr. Giamo served in the Air Force and entertained the troops as a member of its band.
He was a member of several local theater orchestras and played in the WCAU radio station orchestra. He was an accomplished violinist and bassoonist, and he played the clarinet and the saxophone.
Mr. Giamo was born and raised in Norristown. He attended Temple University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in education in 1952.
He received his master's degree in music education from Temple in 1956 and his doctorate in music from the Philadelphia Conservancy of Music in 1965. That year, he became assistant director of music education for the school district and was promoted to director in 1980.
After he retired, Mr. Giamo was invited to be a guest conductor for orchestras throughout the United States.
He was a member of numerous professional associations and was on the board of directors of the Settlement Music School, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the American Federation of Musicians.
In 1952, he married Laura Kozak, an accomplished musician and vocalist, with whom he started a church choir at the Visitation Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, in Trooper. He directed the choir there for 25 years.
Besides his wife, Mr. Giamo is survived by four sons, Mike, Greg, Glenn and Ken, and three granddaughters.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 3 at St. Eleanor's Roman Catholic Church, Collegeville. Interment will be private.
Contributions in Mr. Giamo's name may be made to the Sandra Altman Visiting Professorship Fund for Brain Tumor Research at the University of Pennsylvania. Donations should be made payable to the trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and should be sent to the Medical Center Development Office, 400 Penn Tower, 399 S. 34th St., Philadelphia 19104.
