Richard F. Forcella

Richard F. Forcella, 75, of Billings, formerly of Sidney, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, at St. Vincent Healthcare.

Rick was born on Jan. 20, 1949, in Butte. He graduated from Boys Central in Butte and earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Montana College. He worked as a Social Studies Teacher for 37 years at Sidney Senior High School. He was named Teacher of the Year numerous times in Sidney, and was named Oregon/California Trail Association Teacher of the Year 1997.

Lynda and Rick were married in 1970 at St. Johns the Evangelist in Butte, and moved to Sidney, in 1971. They lived in Sidney for 40 years where they raised their family. Richard retired in 2008 and they moved to Billings in 2011. Things people didn’t know about him was that he loved decorating for holidays and loved watching old westerns and the Hallmark channel. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and a board member of Mondak Heritage Center in Sidney. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and model railroading.

Rick was predeceased by parents Frank and Rita Forcella (Butte) and brother-in-law Duane Frazier (Lima). He is survived by his wife, Lynda D. (Patterson) Forcella; daughters Monica (Carl) Stevenson (Elko, Nevada) and Mara (Aaron) Beard (Huntley); and grandchildren RaeLynn (Alyssa) Forcella (Vancouver, Washington) Kooper and Elle Beard (Huntley).

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. There will be refreshments to follow after the memorial service. Cremation has taken place and he will be laid to rest at a later date in Dillon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lady of the Rockies in Butte.