FAIRPORT, N.Y. — Fairport's "Harmonica Pete" DuPre, a World War II veteran known for his harmonica skills, has died.

According to his family, DuPre died peacefully Tuesday at the age of 98.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be set.

For years, DuPre played at numerous events all over the world and entertained hundreds of thousands of people at sporting events. Last year, he helped send off the U.S. women’s soccer team in Connecticut.

Dupré started playing the harmonica in grade school, and later moved to a school that had a harmonica band. Once he picked up the harmonica, he never stopped. 

“I have no idea what the musical background behind this is,” DuPre said in 2021. “The sound is what’s ideal. If it sounds good, I play it.”

DuPre said he was such a natural at the harmonica because he never had formal lessons.