Richard Alberigo “Rickie” Furgiuele, 101, formerly of Mentcle, died Sunday, January 19, 2014 at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, PA.

Born in Amantea, Calabria, Italy, July 4, 1912, he was the son of the late Gaetano and Matilda (Colletta) Furgiuele.

He began his elementary education in Marion Center, and continued at St. Mary’s parochial school in Beaver Falls, graduating seventh grade with honors. He then left school to work and help to support his family. Throughout his adult life, he took courses through Duquesne University, Dale Carnegie and pursued home studies which included Latin and Italian languages. He was awarded a permanent certificate for teaching Confraternity of Christian Doctrine religious classes, Diocese of Greensburg.

His work life took him from a glass factory and restaurant in Beaver Falls, PA to the Civilian Conservation Corps in Virginia. He came to the coal fields of Indiana in 1937. He worked in mines throughout Indiana and Cambria counties and was elected to six terms as checkweighman for the UMWA, Local 7091 In Heilwood. He dabbled in numerous enterprises including Rickie’s Billiards, as an importer, a property owner, a suit salesman and a salesman of religious books and bibles. He began his career as an investment advisor in 1951. He found success in this career, pioneering the concept of mutual fund investing throughout much of Western PA. He served as a District Manager for Van Kampen American Capital and received many awards and citations for successful selling. In addition, he was awarded a patent for improvement of a stringed musical instrument in 1939.

Much to his chagrin, Rickie was rejected for service during WWII for medical reasons. He persistently volunteered for any type of service and was eventually drafted to work in the mines during the war effort. He also sold “war bonds” during that time. Following the war, he was appointed Secretary of the Indiana County Redevelopment Authority.

Rickie was engaged in many community service organizations, serving on the boards of the Boy Scouts and Little League. He was active with the March of Dimes during the Roosevelt era. In addition, he was a member of Knights of Columbus, 3rd degree; Sons of Italy in America; the International Order of the Moose, as well as other leagues and societies. He was also a member of the Historical and Genealogical Society of Indiana County, serving on its finance committee in the 90s.

At a very early age, Rickie joined the St. Mary’s Church Holy Name Society in Beaver Falls. After moving to Indiana County, he remained active in this society holding, at various times, virtually every office and serving in every capacity on Parish, Deanery and Diocesan levels. He was a religious education instructor at various parish sites for over 35 years. He was a member of the Diocesan Life and Evangelization Committees and a member of the Greensburg Interracial Council, since its inception. Rickie was part of the Cusillo movement, serving with various weekend teams, committees and leaders. He was part of the first team to take Cursillo to the Huntingdon Correctional Penitentiary.

Rickie was well-known for having compiled the book “A Place Called Cameron’s Bottom” and for helping to have St. Patrick’s church and cemetery at Cameron’s Bottom registered in the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic sites. He was the first Eucharistic Minister in the Greensburg Diocese, Deanery 2. He was an organizer or participant in many pilgrimages abroad, including: Holy Land, Rome, Lourdes, Fatima, Medjugorje and other special places.

Over many years of service, Rickie participated in the Washington DC March for Life and other pro-life activities. He gave evangelization talks and Cursillo Rollos to various groups in the Greensburg and Altoona-Johnstown Dioceses. He was the recipient of many awards from the Pennsylvania Correctional Institutions where he volunteered; the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jerusalem; and Cavalier of the Knights of the Cross, among others.

He had a life-long passion for learning and serving his church and fellow man. In addition to his theological studies and his mastery of the Latin and Italian languages, he held a keen interest in Contemporary events, Hawaiian guitar music, organic gardening and nutritional cuisine.

Rickie is survived by his sister, Phyllis Gaston of Mentcle and his brother Samuel Furgiuele of Indiana. He is also survived by Sisters-in-law, Sarah, Irene and Lucy Furgiuele, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Frank, Eugene, James, Emilio, Frederick and Vincent; and sister, Antoinette Delfonso.

Friends will be received at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Clymer on Friday, January 24, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 25th at 11AM at Church of the Resurrection, Heilwood. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery at Cameron’s Bottom.

Memorial Donations are suggested to: Carmelite Monastery, Box 57, Loretto, PA 15940 or to St. Anne Home- Building Fund, 685 Angela Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601.

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