Concordia’s hospice holds mass butterfly release at Succop Nature Park
PENN TWP — Dozens of families from across Butler County came out to Succop Nature Park on Sunday, Aug. 9 to honor their departed loved ones by releasing butterflies into the sky, at an annual event hosted by Concordia Lutheran Services and its Good Samaritan Hospice.
Anthony Giammarco, spiritual coordinator for Good Samaritan Hospice, estimated that somewhere between 200 and 300 people registered to release a butterfly in honor of a deceased family member or friend.
“The butterfly has long been a symbol for people around the world,” Giammarco said during the prerelease ceremony. “The caterpillar disappears into a cocoon, appearing dead to all around. Later it emerges, having transformed into something more beautiful and powerful than it was before. The butterfly is a natural testimony to us of Jesus’ words: Because I live, you also shall live.”
In prior years, the butterfly release was held at North Boundary Park in Cranberry Township. This year, Concordia opted to move the event to Succop.
“It’s somewhat closer to us, and the atmosphere here is really pretty,” said volunteer coordinator Erin Boyles.
Among those who came out to release butterflies were four members of the Dalsass family, who were there to honor Joseph Dalsass. Joseph died last September at the age of 78.
For Joseph’s widow, Charleene, and their two children, Danielle and Casey, it was their first chance to release a butterfly in Joseph’s memory.
“I just think it's a beautiful memory to have since he passed away,” Charleene said. “It’s been 11 months since he passed away.”
Steve Lubic released a butterfly on behalf of multiple members of his family who have passed away. Lubic says this is his fourth straight year making it to the annual butterfly release.
“My mother and my brother passed within five months of each other in 2019 and 2020,” Lubic said. “My sister passed in 1998, my father passed in 1992, my son passed in 1988, my daughter passed in 1980, and my other son passed in 2024. I have a lot of people that have passed in my family, and this is kind of a small remembrance. I think of them every day.”
