Richard Cessar

Richard J. “Rick” Cessar, on October 11, 2022, age 93, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving children at Sunrise of McCandless. Born on December 1, 1928 to Helen Bursich, he was the beloved husband for 70 years to Dolores Cessar, who predeceased him in 2020.  He was the brother of the late William Cessar, the late Mariann Dowling, and the late Charles Bursich. Rick was the loving father to Deacon Rick Cessar (Sandra), Chris Murray (Tom), Candace Skiles (Greg), Robert Cessar (Linda) and Scott Cessar (Joyce).  He was the proud grandfather to Lauryn Sacha (Stephen), Katie Cessar, Claire Hallahan (Bobby), and Bob Cessar; proud great-grandfather to Mila and Krystof; and foster-grandfather to Kristine and Sandra from Latvia. During the last seven years of his life, he was lovingly cared for by Riquetta (Ricki) Brown and the wonderful staff at Sunrise of McCandless. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews who revered him as the patriarch of the family. Rick had a long and distinguished public service career, first as a policeman in Etna Borough for 17 years, then as an administrative assistant to the local incumbent state representative prior to running for and winning his seat.  He went on to serve constituents of the 30^th legislative district for 24 years.  During his tenure with the PA General Assembly, he rose to prominence as the Majority Whip of the Republican Party and also served as Majority Chair of the Transportation Committee. When Rick retired, his colleagues honored him by naming a part of Route 8 in his honor. Friends will be received on Thursday from 1:00 to 8:00 PM at the Bock Funeral Home, Ltd., 1500 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw. All family and friends are invited to celebrate Rick’s life at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Sebastian’s Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, on Siebert Road in Ross Township on Friday at 10:30 a.m. EVERONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to All Saints Church, St. Matthew Parish, 19 Wilson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15223 or North Hills Community Outreach, 1975 Ferguson Road, Allison Park, PA 15101.