Ficca

Dr. Robert J. Ficca, 89, of Butler, a multitalented musician, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at Concordia of Cabot.

Born March 3, 1935, in Arnold, he was the son of the late Giuseppe and Elvira G. “Eva” Paulice Ficca.

Robert was a member of All Saints Parish of Butler, St. Paul Roman Catholic Church.

He graduated from Arnold High School. He then went on to serve our country in the U.S. Army. While in the Army, he played the trumpet in the base band.

His college degrees included a degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania Teaching College, then Duquesne with a master’s in music, finishing with a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh.

Bob started his teaching career at Lyndora Elementary. He then went to Butler Senior High, where he held numerous positions in the music department.

While teaching music, he was an accomplished trumpet player. He had the privilege of starting and playing in many Western Pennsylvania bands, which just to list a few, included Buddy Lee Band, Holiday House in Monroeville, and was cofounder of the Majestic Brass Band with “Jimmy Cunningham.” He was also asked to play trumpet for things like the circus when they came to Pittsburgh and Miracle on Ice. If you went to a place that had music, you probably have heard him play his trumpet.

Bob played the trumpet for the Butler Symphony, where he was also the co-director, The Jack Bowman Orchestra, Pittsburgh Orchestra, in which he represented Butler County, Slippery Rock Concert Bank, and Butler Chamber Orchestra.

He was the director of music at First Lutheran Church of Butler.

Bob would always say his accomplishments would live on with his music and with the students he had taught music.

Bob retired from Butler Senior High in the late 1990s to care for his wife, Marsha J. Shock, who passed away on April 24, 2000. He stayed active by drinking coffee and eating cookies every morning on his porch; growing his garden, with numerous vegetables; and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his three children, Robert J. (Kathy) Ficca, Ronald J. (Dixie) Ficca and Marie (Mathew) Grossman; five grandchildren, Tera Songer, Gino and Joey Ficca, and Rachael and Bobby Grossman; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Carson Songer; one brother, Remo (Jan) Ficca; one sister, Phyllis Nolan; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marsha; and one grandson, John Ficca.

FICCA — Friends of Dr. Robert J. Ficca, who died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, will be received from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at A. CARL KINSEY-RONALD N. VOLZ FUNERAL HOME, 328 W. Main St., Evans City. A blessing service will follow at 4 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Butler High School Music Department, Attn: Music Dept., 120 Campus Lane, Butler PA 16001, “for music to live on” as Dr. Ficca would say.

Visit www.kinseyvolz.com for more information.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.