Leader of teachers union, advocate of public education
Francis “Butch” Santicola, a respected labor leader who was a tireless advocate for public education, died Thursday. He was 74.
Mr. Santicola, of Moon, worked in a variety of roles for the Pennsylvania State Education Association for 43 years before his retirement five years ago.
“We’ll remember Butch for his unwavering commitment to PSEA and our members,” PSEA executive director Jim Vaughan said in a statement. “But those of us who knew him well will also never forget his boundless enthusiasm, good humor and seemingly endless energy. He was one of a kind, and we’ll miss him very much.”
Mr. Santicola was undoubtedly a giant for the organization that represents thousands of Pennsylvania teachers.
Debra Turici, a longtime friend and colleague, said Mr. Santicola was to the PSEA what Dan Rooney was to the Steelers. Ms. Turici said she was one of the many teachers involved in union leadership who found in Mr. Santicola a knowledgeable supporter and strong negotiator.
“He was always talking about public education, he was always an advocate,” Ms. Turici said. “He was never demeaning, but he was a bulldog, too. He was tough with a big smile, and he was respected by the school boards, by the solicitors.”
Ms. Turici said she remembers teachers whose jobs were saved by Mr. Santicola walking up to him to thank him at events he attended.
In 2016, the PSEA gave Mr. Santicola the Adler Award, a prestigious honor given to an individual for contributions to public education.
His nomination for the award read in part, “Butch Santicola has influenced and inspired thousands of union members over the last four decades. As a staff person, he demonstrated leadership, expertise, dedication and advocacy.”
Mr. Santicola had influence beyond the negotiating table. Ms. Turici said he “wore many hats” for the PSEA. He was seemingly in constant communication not only with teachers union leaders, but also the media.
Ms. Turici recalled one year when Mr. Santicola was preparing hot dogs at the Pittsburgh Labor Day parade, then the next minute he was sitting in a car talking on the phone to a radio station about an upcoming teachers strike.
“When there was a problem — not just bargaining, but other things — Butch was the person that they would call and interview,” Ms. Turici said.
Mr. Santicola didn’t limit his advocacy to his work.
He was on the board of directors for the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, an organization dedicated to providing permanent homes, respite care, inhome services and advocacy to people with intellectual disabilities in the Pittsburgh region.
He was chairman of the Moon Township Democratic Party, and he hosted The Education Watchdog, a syndicated show as part of the Union Edge Laborers Talk Radio.
Mr. Santicola had a wealth of experience in education even before he started working for the PSEA.
Born in Oakmont to Marius and Agnes Santicola, Mr. Santicola earned degrees in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh. He taught in the Aliquippa School District and became president of the Aliquippa Education Association in 1968.
He was hired by the PSEA as a field representative in 1970 and remained with the organization until his retirement in July 2013.
“If Butch asked you to do something, you just did it,” Ms. Turici said. “You respected him, you didn’t question him. You knew he was always on your side. He always said, ‘I have your back.’”
Mr. Santicola is survived by his wife of 54 years, April Santicola; a son, Michael F. Santicola of Moon; a daughter, Amy Gift of Moon; two brothers, Ronald Santicola and Henry Santicola; a sister, Judy Leger; and grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Friends were received Sunday. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Margaret Mary Parish in Moon. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Hopewell.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, 2821 Sarah St., Pittsburgh 15203.