Obituary of Pasquale Ficosecco
Pasquale Ficosecco, 101, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Sunday, June 30, 2024. He was the loving husband of Digna Ficosecco. They shared 49 wonderful years of marriage together.
Pasquale was born on November 1, 1922 in Rimini, Italy to Emilio Ficoseco and Angela Pespani. The eldest of 6 children, he grew up in Loreto, Italy. At 17 years of age, Pasquale joined the Italian Air Force and served as an airplane mechanic during WWII. After the war, he immigrated to Argentina where he lived for 18 years. Here, he became fluent in Spanish.
During the early 1960’s, Pasquale immigrated to the United States and eventually settled in Union City, New Jersey. Here, he met the love of his life, Digna, with whom he had an adoring daughter, Claudia.
Pasquale was a master craftsman in accordion construction and a luthier working with string instruments. At the age of 12, Pasquale began to shadow his grandfather, also named Pasquale Ficosecco, who owned an accordion factory in Castelfidardo, Italy. Here, Pasquale spent his teen years learning about music and the construction of accordions. After the war, he continued to repair and construct musical instruments. First meeting the owner of the legendary Alex’s Music Shop, Alex Carozza, while living in Argentina, Pasquale reconnected with him after immigrating to the United States. For over 40 years, Pasquale rode the bus from Union City, New Jersey across the Hudson to Music Row in New York City, New York. Pasquale Ficosecco worked with talented musicians including Tony Mattola Sr., Luciano Pavarotti, Steve Bargonetti, George Benson, Eric Clapton, KISS, and Carlos Santana.
Today, Ficosecco accordions are still in use and are displayed at the Accordion Museum in Castelfidardo, Italy.
Pasquale was a kind, loving, humble, and gracious husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Digna, his daughter, Claudia, his grandchildren, Aidan and Ethan, his close friends, the Veltri family who adored him, and many other friends and family who loved him dearly.
A private ceremony will be held for the immediate family and a prayer service will be held in the fall.
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for the Ficosecco family.