For a guy who spoke millions of words during his lifetime, Frank Buscanics never found room for one word in his vocabulary. “He just couldn’t say ‘No’ to anyone,” the late John Bunardzya often said of Buscanics. “He had a heart as big as he was, and he’d try to help anyone who needed help.” Those thoughts by Bunardzya, a legendary newspaper columnist and editor in this area for many years who knew Buscanics as well as anyone, returned recently on the 22nd anniverary of Buscanics’ death. When Buscanics died at age 67 in March 1984, it sparked a flood of fond memories for those who knew the man and his legacy. Those recollections remain strong today. Anyone who followed athletes and athletics in the Mon Valley over the years preceding his passing will recall Buscanics being very much a part of the scene. An insurance executive by profession, he also toiled in avocations as a radio personality and public address announcer a good part of his adult life. He was the “voice” of many high school football teams in the area and the California University Vulcans. “That (announcing) was probably his secret love,” Bunardzya recalled. “He always enjoyed the radio work – his sports shows and doing play-by-play. He always added something special when was behind the microphone at a football game or a boxing or (professional) wrestling match.” Buscanics came by his love of sports naturally. He was a standout basketball player at Ambridge High School – so good, in fact, that he once had a tryout with the original New York Celtics, a barnstorming team of all-stars that includes the likes of Joe Lapchick, Nat Holman, Dutch Denhert and Davey Banks. When he moved to the Mon Valley in the late 1940s, Buscanics continued to play basketball team with the Colonial Life Insurance team he sponsored in the Charleroi Recreation League. While Buscanics was widely recognized for his associations with athletics, he also was involved in many, many other activities. He was a man who wore many hats. And he wore them all so well. He took special pride in his volunteer efforts with the handicapped and in church functions. Humble in manner and a private man at heart despite his outgoing and friendly ways when he was before the public, Buscanics never sought attention even though he was so much in the spotlight. “God wants us to be good to each other,” he told me many times. “Anything I do is for other people and for God. If I can help someone, that’s enough reward for me.” And help he did as he brought joy into the lives of so many people in so many ways. He delighted thousands of area children in his portrayal of Santa Claus for more than a quarter-of-a-century. His affection for children also came naturally. He and Margaret were the parents of seven children, and pride and love filled every word he ever spoke about his sons and daughters. He was a family man in every sense of the word, and he, Margaret and their children had a way of making anyone who visited their home feel as though they were part of that unique family. Buscanics touched a lot of people that way, and it was for that reason – among many others – that the Belle Vernon Area Boosters Club honored him with their Achievement Award on Feb. 25, 1984, just two weeks before his death. It was an honor he so richly deserved. He lived a full life, one filled with the commitment to and satisfaction of helping others. Those who knew him were fortunate, indeed. Those who didn’t missed someone very special. (If you have a story idea, please contact Ron Paglia at ronpaglia@verizon.net or write to him c/o The Valley Independent, Eastgate 19, Monessen.)

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