Enrico Vincent "Rick" Colonna

1924 - 2016

Enrico Vincent "Rick" Colonna, 92, of Indiana, died on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Bethany Place in Indiana.

A son of the late James V. and Maria A. (Mazza) Colonna, he was born on April 6, 1924, in Kittanning.

Rick's passion was music. He was one of the organizers and the first director of the championship Kittanning Firemen's Band and later organized and directed the Indiana Pops Concert Band until his retirement in 2011. He was also a baritone horn soloist and trombone player with various combos and big bands in the area, as well as director of several other bands throughout his life.

He was a member of St. Bernard of Clairvaux Roman Catholic Church in Indiana, an honorary life member and officer of the American Federation of Musicians, a life member of B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge 931 and a member of F.O.E. 1468.

Rick was employed in the PennDOT design office for 40 years. Upon his retirement, he served as a volunteer for the B.P.O.E. Elks and the Indiana County Courthouse.

He is survived by his loving wife, Andrea Patterson Colonna; three step-daughters, Darla, Tonya and Tina Patterson; two step-grandchildren, Justin Patterson and Brooke Carnahan; five step-great-grandsons, Aidan, Joshua and Zachary Carnahan and Andrew and Cayden Patterson; and a step-great-granddaughter, Jaelynn Patterson. Andrew and Pop-pop shared a very special relationship. He is also survived by a brother, James and wife Ruth of Punxsutawney; a sister, Jeanette and husband Martin of Butler; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ida Daldoss Colonna; his parents; and a sister, Marianna Colonna.

Friends and family will be received from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at the Rairigh-Bence Funeral Home of Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning at St. Bernard's Church.

Interment will be private.

Per Rick's wishes, in lieu of flowers, please make gifts to IUP's Community Music School by mailing checks payable to the Foundation for IUP to G-1 Sutton Hall, 1011 South Dr., Indiana, PA 15705, and indicate account 4796 in the memo line of your check; or the Kittanning Firemen's Band by mailing checks payable to the Kittanning Firemen's Band to Kevin Gibbons, PO Box 72, North Apollo, PA 15673. Both causes support Rick's love of music and honor his lifetime passion.

Online condolences may be made at rbfh.net.