Joseph Edward Regula

Joseph Edward Regula 88 of Monessen was born in Monessen on February 3 1930, son of the late Stephen and Bertha Fiffick Regula. At confirmation he added Daniel as a second middle name. He was a life time resident of Monessen and graduated from Monessen High School in 1949. He was a well known local musician having trained in Classical music with a private teacher in Pittsburgh, during the 1940's. Music both Classical and Popular was his joy. In 1948 he played first Chair Clarinet in the high schools District Band in Wilmerding Pa. He was a non-combat veteran of the Korean War. In 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force having completed a successful audition in Washington D.C. for the U.S. Air Force Band. He completed Airman Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Joe was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas Nevada from 1951 -1953, he was the 1st Chair Clarinet in the U.S. Air Force Military Band. He was also a member of the U.S. Air Force Dance Band playing at the Officers Club for social gatherings and many visiting celebrities including Rosemary Clooney. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and became the Music Librarian for the band working in the band directors office. After his military service, he worked at American Chain and Cable, Page Division in Monessen from 1954 until his retirement in 1994. From the 1950's to the 1980's, he was a regular Clarinetist and Alto-Saxophonist with the Thirsty Five, a popular band that played clubs, weddings and picnics around the Mon Valley, Pittsburgh and Ohio areas. He briefly played with the Chuck Carlo Orchestra and also for the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Pittsburgh, and the Ted Mack Amateur Hour Pittsburgh show. In 1979 he played for former First Lady Roslyn Carters Campaign stop in Monessen for her husband's second run for President. He continued to play with the Moonlighters, the Debonairres and the Velveteers in the 1980's and 1990's. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union Local # 60. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters Bertha Mischyshyn and Margaret Zilka and a brother Steve Regula. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He loved all his cats through the years and will be greatly missed and loved by his two cats, Mommy and Baby, and a very lontime dear friend Carolyn K. Kopach .Friends will be received on Wednesday from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 pm in the Robert A. Billick Funeral Home Inc. Grand Blvd and Marion Ave Monessen www.billicksfuneralhome.com Funeral Services will be held on Thursday at 10 am in the funeral home with Fr. Michael Crookston Officiating interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery.