Fox

Randy A. Fox, 60, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, at AHN Wexford Hospital, after a long illness.

Born in Atlanta, Ga., on Oct. 1, 1963, he was the son of the late Ransom Cloud Fox and Alvina Shumaker Fox Beck.

In 1978, Randy began calling Butler home, where he became a familiar face in the community. Randy was a 1982 graduate of Butler High School and a 2000 graduate of Slippery Rock University.

Randy was a member of All Saints Parish, Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church.

Steeped in the record store industry throughout his early years, Randy opened his own store, “Randy’s Records,” in Butler in 1990 where he would often greet you in his familiar bass voice with, “hey man, what have you been listening to?”

His voracious reading habits coupled with his dry wit made his store a hub where he enjoyed engaging in spirited discussions with friends and patrons on all topics, especially music, movies, sports and pop culture.

As the director of development at the Butler Area Public Library, Randy was able to share his passion for the creative process by implementing programs such as the Children’s Creative Writing Workshop.

In the ‘80s, Randy was the vocalist and guitarist for the band the Congo Eels. The group enjoyed success playing Pittsburgh clubs like The Decade and The Upstage. The band released an album in 1984, and played The Decade to open for the Replacements. They also opened for the Ramones at the Syria Mosque. Another group, the R. Fox Quartet, entertained Butler fans with gigs at Natili’s Restaurant and Lounge.

Randy was also one of the hosts of Pro Wrestling News and Views on Armstrong Cable. He, along with John Pithers and Pat Gallagher, enjoyed bantering about the craft and the talent both past and present. Interviewing several icons as a result of the show proved to be a true highlight for him.

A lover of all sports, especially Pittsburgh teams, Randy would never miss a televised game of his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates, always holding on to hope and looking forward to Opening Day. Memorial Day was another day he met with enthusiasm, as he was a lifelong fan of the Indianapolis 500.

Later in life, Randy became an avid photographer. His focus was primarily the Rust Belt, documenting bygone America. His website, Randy Fox Photography, enjoys an international following. His photography also segued into a brief writing opportunity for the Huffington Post.

Aside from all his various accomplishments, he was the proudest of his daughter, Madeline, who was the absolute joy of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Cipollone Fox, whom he married April 30, 1994; his daughter, Madeline Fox of Ann Arbor, Mich.; two sisters, Vicki (Tom) Beck and Jessica Renee Fox, both of Butler; a number of nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; and of course, his two rescue cats, Tango and Abby, who were his constant companions.

Randy’s family would like to thank the doctors and staff at both the Butler County Dialysis Center and AHN Wexford — 4 South who provided wonderful and compassionate care throughout his illness.

FOX — Friends of Randy A. Fox, who died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, will be received from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave., Butler.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at All Saints Parish, Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations made in Randy’s memory go to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053.

For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.