Couple memorializes grandson with park donation
Floyd Osborne remembers getting calls from his grandson, John Ficca, early in the morning asking him to go fishing.
According to Osborne, Ficca would go fishing for hours on end, from the early morning to late at night.
Ficca died in a motorcycle accident Sept. 13, 2018, at the age of 23. He is survived by his parents, Dixie and Ronald Ficca, a brother, Joey Ficca, of Grove City, as well as his grandparents, Floyd and Joan Osborne, of Butler.
In memory of their grandson, Floyd and Joan Osborne have made a donation to Moraine State Park for a shoreline reconstruction project that would improve aspects of the park, including fishing.
Joan Osborne said the couple wanted to contribute to a cause their grandson would appreciate.
“He would go out two hours before work to fish,” Joan Osborne said. “It's an area he loves; he would be so pleased that work was done that would improve the lake for future use.”
Construction began last week under the 528 boat launch at Moraine. The project is a collaboration between Moraine State Park and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
According to Dustin Drew, park manager of Moraine, the shoreline at 528 has been eroding, which can be harmful for the lake.“When that shoreline erodes, it goes in the lake and it's not good for the water,” Drew said. “Where the original shoreline would have been, they put in the paved section that helps protect the shoreline from ice and waves.”Drew said Moraine is contributing $30,000 to the project through resource management, while the fish and boat commission is contributing equipment and personnel to the project. The commission moved rocks to the shoreline of the lake, which will be paved over to stabilize the shore.Ben Page, lake habitat section chief for the commission, said the stones will deflect waves, thereby slowing erosion of the shoreline. The last step is adding a pier to fully create a new fishing dock area.“From a fish habitat standpoint, you improve life for the fish,” Page said. “From a safety standpoint, the shoreline could be dangerous for the elderly, and this will make it more walkable.”
In addition to the shoreline reconstruction, Moraine will also put picnic tables by the launch in memory of Ficca. Drew said the project will be a huge addition to Moraine.“I think it's going to really expand the fishing opportunities there,” Drew said. “This (project) will make it that much better by stabilizing the shore where they are.”Drew said the shoreline reconstruction should be done by the end of the week, but the picnic area will take a little longer.The Osbornes said they are glad to contribute to the project because it turned out to be a good opportunity to memorialize Ficca.“This is where he would want to be,” Joan Osborne said.
