Bruno Zuccala
Bruno D. Zuccala, 68, of Butler, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday. Aug. 21, 2025.
Born in Butler on July 19, 1957, he was a son of the late Bruno S. Zuccala and Jennie A. Chiavaro Zuccala.
Bruno earned degrees from Slippery Rock University and Westminster College and worked as a committed teacher and administrator. His first teaching position was at Butler Catholic School, followed by employment in the Moniteau and Seneca Valley school districts. While at Seneca Valley, he was a nominee for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year. Following retirement, he served as a substitute teacher at Butler Catholic School.
Bruno’s other passion in life began at the age of 9 when he joined the General Richard Butler Vagabonds Drum and Bugle Corps. After years of performing with the Vagabonds, Bruno assumed an instructional role with the Vagabonds and with another Butler corps, the Catholic Daughters of America. He then served as an instructor, administrator and director of The Cavaliers, of Rosemont, Ill., the winner of multiple Drum Corps International World Championships during his nearly 30 years with the corps. He continued his work with drum corps, marching bands and color guards, both in the U.S. and internationally.
Bruno was also actively involved with Winter Guard International. Locally, he worked with the Slippery Rock University Marching Pride and winter guard, and most recently the Kiski Area High School band/color guard and winter guard, who have won numerous competitive awards. He was also a competitive judge and administrator for the state of Pennsylvania and nationally for DCI and WGI.
In recognition of his decades of service to drum corps and the marching arts, Bruno was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in 2017, the Pennsylvania Drum Corps Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Contest Judges Hall of Fame in 2023.
He was a member of All Saints Parish, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, and he was also an active member of the Butler Catholic School advisory board.
Bruno was a beautiful soul blessed with a terrific sense of purpose. He was a loving brother and uncle, a loyal and caring friend, a committed, devoted and inspirational educator, and a respected and influential mentor and leader. He was active in the community through philanthropic work with local charities, including Hearts for Haiti.
He is survived by his brother, Dominic Zuccala, and his wife, Becky, of Frankfort, Ohio; two nephews, Patrick Zuccala, and his wife, Leann, of Stevensville, Mich., and Sam Zuccala, and his wife, Andria, of Sanford, Mich., one niece, Marianna Zuccala, and her fiancé, Cody Howes, of Columbus, Ohio; one great-nephew, Anthony; and two great-nieces, Talia and Laine.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
ZUCCALA — Friends of Bruno D. Zuccala, who died Thursday. Aug. 21, 2025, will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, in MARTIN FUNERAL HOME South Side, 429 Center Ave., Butler.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at All Saints Parish, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler, with the Rev. Kevin C. Fazio officiating.
Entombment will take place in St. Michael’s Cemetery Mausoleum.
For those unable to attend, the funeral Mass on Saturday will be livestreamed at 10 a.m. via www.hvproductions.net/live
Please donate in memory of Bruno Zuccala, in lieu of flowers, to Butler Catholic School, 515 E. Locust St., Butler, PA 16001, Kiski Area High School Color Guard, 200 Poplar St., Vandergrift, PA 15690, or The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps at cavaliers.org.
For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.
Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.
