Robert J. Fugini, 82, of Chicora died unexpectedly Monday at his home.

Born in Chicora, Jan. 19, 1923, he was the son of Peter and Marie Piccola Fugini.

He and his brother, Lewis Fugini, owned and operated Fugini Ford Sales and Garage in Chicora from 1961 to 1976. He then worked at Koppers Co., now Indspec Chemical Corp., in Petrolia from 1976 until his retirement in February 1990. He also was a school bus driver for the Karns City School District for four years.

During World War II, as a member of the Army's 29th Division Infantry, he landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy at D-Day plus 11 days, when forces were only 11 miles in from the shore, well within the range of Nazi artillery. He was wounded by shrapnel and received the first of two Purple Hearts. In addition to two Purple Hearts, signified by a Purple Heart with an oak leaf cluster, he was awarded the Omaha Beach Medal of Valor, a Bronze Star, four Battle Stars, a Combat Infantry Badge, the Croix DeGuerre and the French Government Award. He also received a Silver Star for retrieving the bodies of a private and his platoon leader from behind enemy lines.

Mr. Fugini was a member of the Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora, where he belonged to the Altar-Rosary Society and was a member of the church choir for 50 years. He was a member and the current commander of the Dierken-Ritzert American Legion Post of Chicora and a member of the Dexter Leroy Donaldson VFW. He also served in other offices in the legion, including finance officer from 1960 to 1991. He was a member of the Chicora Moose Lodge and had been a longtime member of the Butler County Music Union. In 1984, he was selected Veteran of the Year by the Chicora American Legion.

For years he had his own orchestra, first known as The Debonairs and then known as the Four Kings. He played the saxophone, guitar, organ and trumpet. He also was a member and the oldest musician in the Kittanning Firemen's Band, where he played the saxophone when marching in parades.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Louise Craig Fugini, whom he married Sept. 25, 1948; two daughters, Elaine Linamen and her husband, David Linamen, of Butler and Elizabeth Fugini and her husband, Michael Conway, of Warren, Ohio; a son, Robert J. Fugini of Guttenberg, N.J.; and two grandchildren, Julie and John Linamen of Butler.

He also is survived by four sisters, Gloria Sacharski of Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. David (Bernadette) Martin of York and Mrs. Wayne (Sylvia) Pennington and Mrs. Richard (Rosemary) Rumbaugh, both of Chicora; five brothers, Lewis W. and Vincent P. Fugini, both of Chicora, the Rev. Francis Fugini O.F.M. Cap. of St. Augustine Church in Pittsburgh, Alfred H. Fugini of Pittsburgh and Franklin R. Fugini of Butler; and several nieces and nephews.

A brother, Carl Fugini, preceded him in death.

FUGINI - There will be no visitation for Robert J. Fugini, who died Monday, June 13, 2005. Family and friends are to meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, where a Mass Of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday with his brother, the Rev. Francis Fugini, officiating. Burial will be at Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.Military honors will be accorded at the church by the Chicora American Legion and VFW posts.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, 429 N. Main St., Chicora, PA 16025; or to the Blind Association of Butler, 322 N. McKean St., Butler, PA. 16001.Arrangements are being handled by STEIGHNER FUNERAL HOME, Chicora.