Francis “Butch” Santicola
Francis “Butch” Santicola, 74, of Moon Township. Passed away on February 15, 2018. He was born in Oakmont, on November 13, 1943 the son of the late Marius & Agnes (Rantucci) Santicola.
Butch grew up in Oakmont and earned his B.S. from I.U.P. where he was a proud member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He obtained his Masters from the University of Pittsburgh. He began his career as a teacher in the Aliquippa School District where he was the President of the Aliquippa Education Association. He eventually went on to work as the Director of Organizing & Communications for the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), where he retired after 43 years. He was an active member of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Moon Twp. Butch was an officer of National Staff Organization, the President of PSEA Staff Organization, a former member of the board of directors for the charitable group The Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, a former Chairman of the Moon Twp. Democratic Party, and was the current host of The Education Watchdog, a syndicated show as part of the Union Edge Laborers Talk Radio. Butch was a tireless advocate for teachers and laborers everywhere and an energized, engaging and unwavering person who will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Butch was honored with the Adler Friend of Education award in 2017.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, April (Benasutti) Santicola. He was the proud father of two children: Michael F. Santicola (Michele) of Moon Twp. & Amy (Santicola) Gift of Moon Twp, loving Papa to four grandchildren: Anna Gift, Zachary Gift, Michael M. Santicola & Sarah Santicola. He is also survived by brothers, Ronald Santicola and Henry Santicola & sister Judy Leger and sister-in-law, Michele Benasutti, as well as many very special nieces, nephews, cousins & friends. Butch was a coach and ardent supporter of all his children’s activities and became an enthusiastic supporter of his grandchildren’s activities.
In addition to his parents, Butch was preceded in death by a brother, Marius Santicola Jr and an infant son, Scott.
Friends will be received on Sunday February 18 from 1-5pm & Monday February 19 from 2-4 & 6-8pm in the Huntsman Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Moon Twp. (1522 Coraopolis Hts. Rd.) Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10AM in St. Margaret Mary Parish, Moon Twp. (Everyone please meet at the church) Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Hopewell Twp.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to: Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh (2821 Sarah St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203).
23 thoughts on “Francis “Butch” Santicola”
It was a privilege to be associated with Butch and he will be sorely missed. He was a wonderful person.
Butch was a class act. He treated all his family and friends equally with warm welcomes and love. I’ve enjoyed so many great times with him including Christmas time a few years ago in Pittsburgh. My love goes out to the family and all his many friends!
We are so sorry to lose such a fine man and friend to so many people. Butch always made us feel like we were the most important people in the room. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Colleen & Joe Imbriale
When I told my wife, Martha, my brother Butch had died, she instantly cried, saying, “Your Baby Brother!.” And then cried some more. Amazing her instinct: the fundamental natural law reality ever abiding. Baby Brother he was and now we pray he is in Heaven where we can pray for his intercession for us all — April, Michael & Michele, Amy, Michael M., Sarah, Anna, Zach, Michele B., all in his extended family, his many friends and co-workers — and pray we will knowing he will exhort our Father in Heaven with the same zeal with which he exhorted school boards on behalf of teachers. And that’s what you call Power Above.
Ronnie
Our deepest sympathy to you April and your family. What a special guy Butch was. We are so glad we got to see you a few times in recent years and we like many cherish our days at IUP. Again we share your sorrow. We send these our love and thoughts to you from FL.
I am away, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.
I was so sorry to hear of Butch’s passing. He was a proud member of the labor movement, a fierce advocate for his brothers and sisters, and a friend and role model for colleagues in the National Staff Organization. He will be hugely missed. I hope the outpouring of love and appreciation for Butch gives his family some comfort during these difficult days.
Butch we honor and celebrate your life. You were one of the kindest and fiercest union brothers I knew. My condolences to Butch s family and his very large union family – we all mourn him and thank him for his leadership and friendship.
Dear Santicola’s, we in Florida are missing being with you all, So sorry , we love Butch so much will miss him forever Love Bill and Jan
I remember how happy Butch was for me when I was elected PSEA Treasurer. It was so genuine — it couldn’t be anything else because Butch was genuine. I remember the first time I met him, and the last time I spoke with him on the Union Edge. If you look up the word “union,” I’m certain you will see Butch’s face. So, goodbye for now, my friend. Your back – my shoulder.
i worked with butch on the communications committee. i also was honored enough to see him win his award recently. he was a very knowledgable and well respected individual. an icon
I have fond memories or Butch and my days at IUP being a Sig Tau.
He was a great person and respected leader.
We are saddened by the loss of a great man and friend…and pray for April, Mike and Amy as they mourn their loss of a devoted husband and father. Butch will be so missed be many.
Butch was a great man and wonderful union advocate. I learned a lot from him. He will be missed. Sympathy to April and his family. May God bless you in your time of sorrow.
To the Family of Butch Santicola:
As an educator in the area, Butch assisted my local union on labor issues. His dedication to the cause of working people – and common decency – was unswerving. His devotion to assisting laborers and teachers, along with his affable disposition, reflected a different, simpler time in which integrity and fairness were the guiding principles in one’s work. Never did I doubt that his heart was in the right place. His children and grandchildren should be proud of his legacy.
Our world is a poorer place with his passing.
Well done, good and faithful servant. May he rest in peace and might perpetual light shine upon him.
To the Santicola Family:
On behalf of the Jefferson-Morgan Education Association, we would like to express our sincere condolences. Butch was always there for us when we were on strike. His commitment and dedication to PSEA was phenomenal. He touched so many lives.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Butch’s family for your loss.
I did not know him as long as so many, but it was a privilege to have known him and worked with him in his role of Education Watchdog on The Union Edge: Labor’s Talk Radio.
I anyways enjoyed my interviews with Butch. He always established a great rapport with his guests, which made things go smoothly for all. It never failed to amaze me how he seemed to not only know everybody, but had a good relationship with them to boot! (Except perhaps with his infamous nemesis, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy Devos!) When it was just him and I on air, it was always a good time. I could always be assured on any day that he was coming in to the studio, that I would be greeted with his winning smile. He also brought that great, positive energy with him every time. It could be infectious, and one could always look forward to that. Even on those rare couple times more recently when I sensed he might not have been feeling his best, he always seemed to be able to summon an incredible reserve of that positive energy, both on air and in how he related to everyone around him.
In the all too short time that I knew him, I also got a good sense of the great love Butch had for his family. His overwhelming concern over his grandson in particular was always clear, and I knew that extended to the whole of his relations.
Thank you for allowing me the chance to share a little about how Butch touched me in my life. He will be missed.
My thoughts are with the family in the coming days, and I hope you all may find some comfort in warm memories.
Sincerely,
Nathan Ruggles
Former Director of Community Relations, Producer, The Union Edge: Labor’s Talk Radio; Co-Host with Butch of The Education Watchdog
Butch, you are such a great man! You have done so much for us in the field of education! I personally will miss our daily/weekly games of Word Streak. It has been an honor and a privilege to know you. Rest with God.
April, Butch was a worthwhile man to know. We were blessed to have known him in our life journey. We share your loss. Thinking of you, Tony and Donna Ricci…
I am so sorry for your loss. He was unique. Funny and fierce, strong and compassionate . He made a difference in so many lives,including mine I will miss him. God bless and comfort you.
Butch will always be one of my favorite people. He was passionate about his work – and always had time to share.
His kindness will always be a special memory.
My thoughts are with all of you.
We express our belated sympathy to all the family, especially to my mother’s friend, Henry, and his family at Butch’s passing. She would like to send her sympathy to her favorite High school football star.
I only learned of his passing today 2/10/2021. I was a 6th grade student of his. He was a great teacher that we lost to the PSEA our loss their gain. It’s what he wanted to do so glad he loved doing what he chose to do. He and I went through the longest teacher strike in Aliquippa which I think was a record in PA history which “I think” is a big reason why the teachers are only allowed by state law a short number of days and then must get back to work.
I remember his hickory stick, I ran into him one night at the football stadium and he had his hickory stick with him. He had other disciplinary methods such as lean with two fingers on the wall and remain there till he says sit down and the other with arms outstretched with a book in each hand and stay that way until he says sit down. Both very effective techniques that I don’t think would be allowed these days. It was a different time back then when paddling was allowed and the other choices were a far better option. Still I say this with much respect and admiration for my teacher. He taught you values and respect and the right way to grow up not just teaching from a book. He wrote in my report card at the end of the school year “Good luck in seventh grade” I never forgot that nor him. One of the best teachers I ever had along with Mr. Parker and Mrs. Post. Much love for him I never ran into him after sixth grade but I never forgot him. You have my deepest sympathies and will all meet again in a much better place.