Robert Franklin McFaddin – California, Pa.

Robert Franklin McFaddin, 74, passed away at his home in California, Pa., on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. He was surrounded by a loving family after a complicated battle with dementia and congestive heart failure. He was born on Aug. 1, 1946, in Detroit, Mich., to the late M. William and Suzanne McFaddin. He was raised in Monessen and graduated in 1964 from Monessen High School, where he played on the football team, which he loved and supported throughout his life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education from California University of Pennsylvania in May 1970. His determination and ambition to become an Eagle Scout when he was younger fed his passion to ultimately become the entrepreneur he and his wife Patty have been most of their lives. “Mac,” as his friends knew him, possessed a zest for life as big as his presence. He was fiercely independent, loyal and courageous while possessing the curious mind of an inventor. He enjoyed sharing his childhood and life stories with family and friends, which often included his next big idea. He found purpose when the room was filled with family and his real joy came in spending family vacations in Florida, visiting the casinos with Patty in Atlantic City and Las Vegas and spending time with his children, grandchildren and his dog and protector, Bugsy. Throughout his career, he worked as a steelworker for Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, Allenport plant; owner and operator of Mac’s Auto, the first business he opened; student teaching at the Mon Valley Vo-Tech School; and owned and managed numerous rental and renovation properties throughout the Mon Valley. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Frow McFaddin; his children, Troy (Cindy) Baldwin, Candy (Donnie) Tirpak, Georgette Baldwin, Bob (Kitty) McFaddin, Michele (Scott) Backo, Jill (Bill) Spencer, BJ (Gianna) McFaddin and Susan McFaddin. Mac especially loved spending his time with all his grandchildren, including Blaine, Heather (Jim), Blake, Andrew, Kaylee, Jenna, Robbie, Jordan, Bryce, Joel, Ecko, Taylor, Cecelia, Lillian, Sarah and Olivia. He is survived by his sister, Geraldine McFaddin Holloway Burke, whom he was very close with, in addition to numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Shane Baldwin. Friends will be received from 2 until 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at ROBERT A. BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC., Grand Boulevard and Marion Avenue, Monessen, Pa., www.billicksfuneralhome.com. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, in the funeral home with Pastor Mathew Stabe officiating. Interment will be held in Mon Valley Memorial Park. Memorial donations can be made at American Heart Association, 444 Liberty Ave., Suite No. 1300, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or donate online at donatenow.heart.org. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks and social distancing are required for those attending the visitation and funeral services, with a 25-person limit in the funeral home.