William Anthony "Bill" Ficenec

William Anthony "Bill" Ficenec, for more than twenty years a Cradock High School French language teacher, died of cancer early Sunday morning.

August 09, 1947 - January 22, 2017

William Anthony “Bill” Ficenec, 69, passed away peacefully on Sunday January 22, , 2017.

Bill, a native of Portsmouth, was the son of the late Raymond W. Ficenec and Annie Delargy Ficenec. He was a graduate of St. Paul’s Central High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in French from Old Dominion College in 1969 and his Master’s Degree in Education/Guidance and Counseling in 1993 from Old Dominion University. He taught French at Cradock High School from 1969 until 1990 when he joined the Portsmouth Public Schools Central Office of Guidance and Counseling. In 1993 he accepted a position with the Newport News Public Schools System and retired in 1996 as Supervisor of Research and Testing.

Bill was a lifetime, faithful Catholic who lived his faith in a gentlemanly manner and gave generously of his time, talents and treasure to his beloved St. Paul Catholic Church. He participated in various church ministries including Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister, Minister of the Parish Council, Substitute Organist, Church History Committee, Altar Guild for over 40 years, and Church Docent for the Portsmouth Steeple to Steeple Tours. His most recent endeavor was as chairman of the All Saints Catholic Cemetery board of directors. In 2016 he was the second recipient of the Circle of Saints Award given by the Portsmouth Catholic School Alumni. Bill was also a member of the Portsmouth Historical Association and member of the board of directors of the Hill House Museum.

Survivors include two cousins, Norman A. Riggins of Charlottesville, Suzanne R. Swope of Chesterfield; and special friend, Bob Derr of Chesapeake.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, January 27, 2017 from 7 to 8 P.M. at B.W. Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Greenlawn Mausoleum followed by a reception at Church of the Resurrection. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All Saints Catholic Cemetery, c/o Church of the Resurrection, 3501 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, VA 23703. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.

Source: Published in Daily Press on Jan. 25, 2017, Newport News, VA