Dr. Robert J. Ficca, age 89, a multi- talented musician, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in 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 St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, All Saints Parish of Butler.
He graduated from Arnold High School. He then went on to serve our country in the United States Army. While in the Army, he played the Trumpet in the base band.
His college, degrees included IUP teaching College, then Duquesne with a Masters in Music, finishing with a P.H.D. from the University from Pitt.
Bob started his teaching career in Lyndora Elementary; he then went to the 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 PA bands, just to list a few, were Buddy Lee Band, Co-Founder 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 the trumpet.
He played the trumpet for the Butler Symphony where he was also the Co-Director, The Jack Bowman Orchestra, Pittsburgh Orchestra, which he represented Butler County, Slippery Rock Concert Bank, and Butler Chamber Music.
Bob was the director of music at first Lutheran Church of Butler.
He would always say, “His accomplishments would live on with his music and with the students he had taught music.”
Bob retired from Butler H.S. in the late 90’s 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.
Friends of Dr. Robert J. Ficca who passed away on Wednesday January 29, 2025, will be received on Sunday February 2, 2025, from 1 to 4 P.M. at the A. Carl Kinsey-Ronald N. Volz Funeral Home, 328 W. Main St., Evans City. A Blessing Service will follow at 4:00 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.
