Edward J. ‘Bud’ Fiffick 1934-2025
OSPREY, Fla. — Edward J. “Bud” Fiffick, 91, formerly of Youngstown, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 15, 2025, following a brief battle with congestive heart failure. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Bud was born March 19, 1934, in Youngstown, to Nicholas and Cathryn Sova Fiffick.
He graduated from Boardman High School in 1952, where he excelled academically and athletically in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to attend Marquette University from 1952 to 1955 on a football scholarship and later earned his degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in 1959.
Bud served in both the United States Air Force Reserve and the United States Army Reserve as a first lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.
He practiced podiatric medicine in Boardman for 40 years and served as chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at both Western Reserve Care System and Tod Babies and Children’s Hospital for 16 years. A dedicated professional, Bud was a life member of the American and Ohio Podiatric Medical Associations and held several leadership roles at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, including 41 years on the board of trustees, 14 years on the executive committee and service on the advisory board of Kent State University College of Podiatry.
Bud’s commitment to education and the advancement of his field was recognized in 2007 with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Kent State University. He also established the Edward J. Fiffick DPM & Family Anatomy Lab at Kent State University.
He received numerous honors throughout his life including induction into the Boardman High School Hall of Fame (1981), the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame (1991) and the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine Hall of Fame Society (2013). A dedicated member of the Boardman Rotary, Bud was honored with the Paul Harris Fellowship and proudly maintained 40 years of perfect attendance.
Bud also had a lifelong love for sports. He officiated high school and college basketball and football for 15 years in Ohio and Pennsylvania, advancing to conferences such as the Ohio Conference, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and Mid-America Conference. In 1979, he was honored to join the National Football League as an official, working games across the United States, Canada and Europe. He served as an alternate for Super Bowls XVIII and XXIII and concluded his NFL career after 21 years on the field and an additional year in the replay booth.
Bud was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara (Slavens) Fiffick, with whom he raised six children, Bud Fiffick Jr., David (Lisa) Fiffick, Suzie (Roy) Harness, Cathy (Jamie) Judge, Sharon (Steve) Zimmerman and the late Brian Fiffick. He was a devoted father, grandfather to 12 and great-grandfather to nine. His grandchildren include Kaitlin (Ryan) Babyak, Abbey Dunnan, Max (Amanda) Harness, Kyle (Sarah) Harness, Alex (Jakob) O’Brien, Shawn (Abby) Fiffick, Zach (Jen) Zimmerman, Joseph (Claire) Dunnan, Jack Harness, Nicholas Dunnan, Sophie Zimmerman and Mia Harness. His great-grandchildren are Sabastian, Elliott, Penelope, Dylan, Leo, Brooks, Stella, Lucy and Lane.
In 1998, Bud married Frederica “Tiki” Fiffick, and together they moved to Osprey, Florida, in 2000. They enjoyed an active life together and made many dear friends at The Oaks and The Field Club.
Bud is survived by Tiki, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many cherished friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Norman Thompson; his son, Brian; and his daughter-in-law, Lisa.
Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. A funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Drive, Boardman.
A second memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, June 7, 2025, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 43238.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends of Edward may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to give condolences for the Fiffick family.
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