Carl Grant McVicker Jr.

The patriarch of the McVicker clan, Carl Grant McVicker Jr, lost his five year battle with multiple myeloma on Sept 11, 2021 to join his loving wife of 62 years, Darlene Jean Hellings McVicker, who preceded him in death less than a year ago.  He passed away peacefully on a beautiful, rural western Pennsylvania day, surrounded by his family, with his beloved jazz music playing in the background.

Carl was born on July 21, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA to Ella Bert and Carl Grant McVicker, Sr.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Robert Jonathan, his older sister and brothers-in-law Barbara and William Martin and Harry Hellings, Jr, and his nephew, David Martin.

He was an incredible Dad, Pappy, Unk, Big Dummy, Chaboobie.  He is survived by three children:  Tami McVicker Cox of Naples, FL; Carl Grant (Gayle) McVicker III of Burke, VA; and Kevin (Debra) McVicker of Ligonier, PA.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren:  Mark (Heather) Milligan, Kristin (Steve) Neff, Katie McVicker, Rebeca (Paul) Marcheschi, Matthew McVicker, Zachary (Kami) McVicker, Daniel Cox, Sarah Cox, Benjamin McVicker, Jonathan McVicker, and Michael McVicker; 7 Great-grandchildren:  Mark Dale Milligan, Mason Milligan, Caroline McVicker, Gianni Marcheschi, Magnolia Milligan, Stetson Neff, and Allister McVicker; and, generations of cousins, nieces and nephews.  His love and pride in his family was well known to all.

Carl grew up and graduated from Wilkinsburg High School.  He married his childhood sweetheart, Darlene, while stationed at Bolling AFB in Washington, DC as a member of the Air Force Band.  He went on to receive his undergraduate degree in Music from Carnegie Tech, followed by his Masters Degree from Duquesne.  They raised their children in the Pittsburgh area before moving to Naples, FL.

Carl loved to get lost in the music, playing with many noted musicians throughout the decades, from playing college parties with Walt Harper to over 30 years as the bassist on Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, culminating in receiving a Grammy Award as a musician on the album “It’s Such a Good Feeling: The Best of Mister Rogers.”  He was also a teacher at all levels and spent 15 years as a pilot for Vee Neal Aviation.  His love of music and flying was only paralleled by his love of travel.  From camping and boating, and trips across the country to visit his family to cruises too numerous to count and summers spent at the cabin on the Bad River in Canada, he was always looking to the next adventure.

He recently came to Ligonier from Naples, FL to be closer to his children in his failing health.  The family would like to thank his caregivers for their friendship, support and care, especially over the last month.

The family will receive visitors at McCabe Funeral Home, 144 East Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658 on Sunday, Sept 19, 5-7pm.  A funeral service, led by his nephew Rev. Dr. Ted Martin will be Monday, Sept 20 at 10am at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 200 N. Market Street, Ligonier, PA 15658, followed by burial at 2pm at The National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Rd, Bridgeville, PA.

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!