Sad day on Long Island for “Piano Man” BILLY JOEL.
Billy’s mom Rosalind Nyman Joel passed at age 92.
The sad news was posted on Billy’s official website.
New York Newsday reported she died in hospice care.
Born Rosalind Nyman in Brooklyn, she married Howard Joel in 1946.
The couple had their only son three years later.
They divorced in 1957, and she then raised her boy as a single mom, doing clerical work.
A lover of the arts she encouraged the nascent performer’s interest in music.
Billy Joel’s musical tribute to his mom was his 1978 song “Rosalinda’s Eyes” from his LP "52nd Street".
In addition to her son, she’s survived by an adoptive daughter, a sister and two granddaughters.
In lieu of flowers, the Joel family requests that donations be made to The Little Shelter animal rescue and adoption center in Huntington, Long Island.
Au revoir, Mrs. Joel.
