28-04-2025
Edward 'Bud' J. Fiffick, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Edward J. 'Bud' Fiffick, 91, of Osprey, Florida, formerly of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, following a brief battle with congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Bud was born on March 19, 1934, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Nicholas and Cathryn (Sova) Fiffick.
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He graduated from Boardman High School in 1952, where he excelled academically and athletically in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to attend Marquette University from 1952 – 1955 on a football scholarship and later earned his degree from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1959.
Bud served in both the United States Air Force Reserves and the United States Army Reserves as a First Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.
He practiced podiatric medicine in Boardman, Ohio, for 40 years and served as Chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at both Western Reserve Care System and Tod Babies and Children's Hospital for 16 years. A dedicated professional, Bud was a life member of the American and Ohio Podiatric Medical Associations and held several leadership roles at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, including 41 years on the Board of Trustees, 14 years on the Executive Committee and service on the Advisory Board of Kent State University College of Podiatry.
Bud's commitment to education and the advancement of his field was recognized in 2007 with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Kent State University. He also established the Edward J. Fiffick, DPM & Family Anatomy Lab at Kent State University. He received numerous honors throughout his life, including induction into the Boardman High School Hall of Fame (1981), the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame (1991) and the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame Society (2013). A dedicated member of the Boardman Rotary, Bud was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship and proudly maintained 40 years of perfect attendance.
Bud also had a lifelong love for sports. He officiated high school and college basketball and football for 15 years in Ohio and Pennsylvania, advancing to conferences such as the Ohio Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and Mid-America Conference. In 1979, he was honored to join the National Football League as an official, working games across the United States, Canada and Europe. He served as an alternate for Super Bowls XVIII and XXIII and concluded his NFL career after 21 years on the field and an additional year in the replay booth.
Bud is survived by Tiki; his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many cherished friends; he was a devoted father; grandfather to 12 and great-grandfather to nine; his grandchildren include, Kaitlin (Ryan) Babyak, Abbey Dunnan, Max (Amanda) Harness, Kyle (Sarah) Harness, Alex (Jakob) O'Brien, Shawn (Abby) Fiffick, Zach (Jen) Zimmerman, Joseph (Claire) Dunnan, Jack Harness, Nicholas Dunnan, Sophie Zimmerman and Mia Harness; his great-grandchildren are Sabastian, Elliott, Penelope, Dylan, Leo, Brooks, Stella, Lucy and Lane.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Norman Thompson; his son, Brian and his daughter-in-law, Lisa; Bud was also preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara (Slavens) Fiffick, with whom he raised six children; Bud Fiffick, Jr., David (Lisa) Fiffick, Suzie (Roy) Harness, Cathy (Jamie) Judge, Sharon (Steve) Zimmerman and the late Brian Fiffick.
In 1998, Bud married Frederica 'Tiki' Fiffick and together they moved to Osprey, Florida, in 2000. They enjoyed an active life together and made many dear friends at The Oaks and The Field Club.
Calling hours will be held Friday, May 23, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Fox Funeral Home in Boardman, Ohio. A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Boardman, Ohio. A second memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 43238.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street in Boardman.
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