Charles "Chuck" Licata

Charles (Chuck) B. Licata, of Brackenridge, passed away on April 13, 2021, after 98 incredible years of life. He was born in Indiana County to the late Phillip and Lillian (Cerani) Licata. He was a WWII veteran serving as a forward artillery observer in the US Army, 230th Field Artillery Battalion, 30th Infantry Division. For his heroic service, Chuck received four Bronze Stars, Silver Star with One Oak Leaf Cluster, and a Purple Heart. In March 2010, he was inducted into the Hall of Valor at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Chuck worked at Allegheny Ludlum Steel as a crane operator followed by a position at Gulf Research, organizing and storing data. He was also a longtime member of the Eagles, America Legion, and VFW.

He had a long-standing passion for music, which began in his teen years and continued until his death. Chuck proudly played his trumpet across the region, from the Arnold Fireman’s Band to gigs with small local bands, concerts in the park, parades, and playing in local nursing homes. For the past several years, he was living at Seneca Hills Village in Penn Hills, where he continued to provide solo trumpet performances to staff and friends.

He is survived by his children Sandra (Charles) O’Donnell, Lory (George) Erceg, and Chuck Licata; his grandchildren Matt (Erica) O’Donnell, Aaron O’Donnell, Greg (Emily) Erceg, and Angela Erceg; and great grandchildren Aria, Abigail, Jude, Jack, and Eleanor. Also surviving is his sibling Lillian (Chic) Chickowski, sister-in-law Carol Licata, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Julie (Kristine) Licata, his sisters Rose Bowser and Grace DiMatteo, and brothers Phillip, Ronald, Anthony and Joseph Licata.

Visitation 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday in the Duster Funeral Home, Inc. 347 E 10^th Ave, Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Christian funeral mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 AM in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Natrona Heights. Entombment will be in Mt. Airy Mausoleum, Natrona Heights with military honors. Please follow CDC guidelines for Social Distancing and masks are required. VISIT: dusterfh.com