Yeah, he could really tickle the ivories in my dad's music room.

Remembering you fondly today Al on the anniversary of your passing, and missing you very much.

It's can't belive it's been three years. We miss and love you. ❤️

Dear Secen family and friends,

I am so deeply saddened to learn of Al's passing.  My  heart truly aches.  Al was a very special person to me.  He treated me like a daughter, even better than my own father.  He loved me and was there for me unconditionally.  I only wish I could have told him how much I appreciated his kindness, generosity,  and love.  He was very influential in my growing up years.  I have such fond memories of him, his vibe playing, and his laughter.  Heaven truly gained an angel.  I hope he is playing his beautiful music and sharing his infectious laughter.  He is one of a kind! <3

Candy Joy Butchko Duncan

 I met Al as a child when I was about 10 years old.  He was a wonderful vibe player who performed with my mom Bonnie Butchko in the "New Horizons"  (in the 1980's). I so enjoyed listening to them practice their songs in our music room in our house.  He was such a jolly, generous man who treated me as a daughter, better than my own dad.  I have SO many WONDERFUL memories of him and it saddens me that I wasn't able to thank him for being such a positive and influential part of my life.   I surely loved him like he was my own parent.  He was so good to me and always made time and loved me unconditionally. Heaven surely gained an angel.  I hope he is enjoying playing his vibes and having his hearty laughs in heaven.  My heart truly aches.... His family and loved ones are in my prayers.

For the Secen Family: my deepest condolences. The band in heaven is getting bigger.  RIP, Al.     

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okHztwEC6JU

I always knew Al cared deeply for those close to him, and I knew he loved me like a grandson. He would go out of his way to help others whenever possible, and my life has only improved because of knowing him. -Alex

Gary, Greg, Karen & Al.   -  I’m sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Al .   I’m sure this is a difficult time for you and my prayers are with you.   One of my memories of your dad is getting picked up for church in the VW bus when I was probably 4 or so years old.   It’s hard to believe that was over 50 years ago.    

Jim Romanowski

I got to know my father-in-law, Pap, really well after Karen and I moved to Florida, not 25 minutes from Pap and Carol’s house.  It has been great getting to know so many stories about life in both Pittsburgh and Palm Harbor.  Pap led a very full life with many great memories.  That is all any of us can hope for.

My dad loved me even though I was born tone deaf.  My Uncle tried to teach me the piano but he told Dad I was hopeless.  I could not comprehend music notes but that did not matter to him.  I used my fingers to type and became a legal secretary.  He was so proud of me. I remember Saturday mornings when the weather was nice and I was trying to sleep, he would be outside cutting the lawn at a very early hour. He never ran out of energy - biking, playing the vibes down in the basements for hours, and "The Silhouettes" was his jazz group.  They would play at "Three Rivers Art Festival" every year.  After my mother died in 1980, he was fortunate to find Carol who became the new love of his life.  Theirs was a true love story.  They moved to Florida and he started a new jazz group.  In fact, years ago they played at Tampa's Jazz Festival.  He sent me a CD of their music.  We would come down every February [from Alabama] for his birthday.  We fell in love with Florida and Dad's Florida family.  We moved to Florida April 2019 and I had 19 wonderful months with him.  I'm sad he's gone and I will always miss him but I know he's at peace and will continue to watch over all of his.  Dad, I love you and miss you.

I don’t know if I could truly pick a single favorite memory of Pap. Him and my gramma played such a pivotal part in my upbringing. He is the reason I am so invested in music. He taught me how to play the xylophone, keyboard, and that is what got me into guitar. I remember hours after school reading and doing math with him. He taught me how to swim and ride a bike. I remember spending weekends riding the trails on my pink bike with him. He has a way of telling stories and teaching that I am so thankful for. I am so lucky and honored to have known him. I wish that I had gotten more time. 
I’ll see you again, Pap. 

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Secen family. 
I had the honor and privilege of playing and performing music with Al as a Jazz Guitarist (Sideman) in the Al Secen Jazz Workshop. It was a wonderful group to be a part of, and I will cherish the memories of working and learning so much from Al. He expanded my musical boundaries and challenged me to be better, and I viewed him as a mentor. He was a truly talented, creative and original composer and musician. I will really miss him. I know my fellow musicians all feel the same way. Thank you Al, for all you have given me. I will never forget you. God Bless.....   Dave  

To know Dad is to know he had two passions:  music and bike-riding.  Although I made a valiant effort to develop interests in both things, I never came close to matching his passion.  I learned how to play guitar, sort of, and when that didn’t really work out I tried bike-riding.  

Dad would talk about how beautiful it was to ride and to see things you just can’t see from a car.  Feeling the wind in your face and eating bugs … okay eating bugs was not his favorite part.  But hearing his stories made me want to take a long ride with him and so one day I had the bright idea to ask if he wanted to bike ride to Erie.  This was a two-and-a-half-hour car ride from home.  I think he was impressed I wanted to try and so one sunny Saturday in April we set out on our journey.

Funny thing about April is that it is very windy, and the wind blows strong from the North – exactly the direction we were riding.  We worked hardest pedaling downhill and on level road against the wind and looked forward to pedaling uphill because the wind was less ferocious.  Dad barely broke a sweat.  I was hurting.  Yeah, trying to keep up with Dad was painful … literally painful!  Fortunately for me, he had the foresight to ask Grandpap, Grandma and Mom to drive to Erie so they could drive us back home.  Great call, Dad!

On another occasion, my fraternity was doing a charity fund-raiser to bike from Edinboro (near Erie) to Pittsburgh and Dad volunteered to ride with us.  While I and all my fraternity brothers tag-teamed the 150-mile ride, Dad rode the entire way.  What a show-off!

Dad also had a great sense of humor.  Every birthday he would remind me that I was catching up to him.  But I never did, and I never could.  There was no keeping up with Dad.  He lived a good life … a fulfilling life.  He had a good ride.

See you on the other side, Dad.  I love you.


I often wished dad had written a book.  He was a master storyteller and had many to share.  From his days in Lawrenceville to his adventures in the air force; he had stories.  Like the time they came back from a gig and left Uncle Ronnie sleeping in the back of the car in grandpap’s garage; when he woke up he thought he was blind because it was so dark; they all just laughed.  Or the story of a trip to Cheat Lake when Uncle George and another friend were going to walk to the general store over the railroad bridge.  The others were watching their flashlights slowly walking until a train was coming the other way; then the two dots of light quickly bounced the other way as they ran for their lives.  It had a happy ending and again, they all just laughed. 

I remember the first day dad met Carol.  He planned on taking Dawn out to dinner for her birthday.  The next morning he called and told me he wanted me to meet someone, I was deathly afraid his new friend was Dawn; I was relieved to find out it was Carol (no offense Dawn).  And that was the best thing that could have happened to him; Carol was a God send.  She is truly a blessing to both dad and our family.  We love you Carol!

As the Silhouette’s reunite in a better place, I am sure grandma and grandpap have front row seats.  And God and the angel’s now get to enjoy dad’s jokes and stories.  God bless you dad, may you rest in peace.  Until we meet again…

Our family has such fond memories of "Cousin Al" . We had so many great Holidays with Al and his family at his parent's house. To this day we still reminisce about those times.  My condolences to Carol and my Secen cousins. Cousin Al was a great man, his passing make those memories even more special. 



My father was an enigmatic figure in my childhood.  He worked two jobs for most of my youth; for a cement and stone company and as a jazz musician. He would leave before I woke for school most days coming home at 5:30.  He would eat and nap and then  shower and leave for the Red Door, a lounge in downtown Pittsburgh where his band of childhood friends (the Silhouettes) and fellow Air Force veterans played for years.  He wouldn't arrive home until after the club closed, usually after 1 or 2 am.  Then, he'd do it all over again.

Such is the life of a man who's vocation, out of necessity, differed from his avocation.  He loved music, yet never encouraged his children to follow in his path, and actually discouraged them.  Life as a musician was too hard.  Enigmatic.

After my mother Eleanor died in 1980, he spent some years finding himself before he settled down with Carol.  It was the best thing he ever did.  He was a lucky man to find Carol, and I and my siblings love her, not only because of who she is, but also for her love and devotion to  him.  A true angel.

My favorite memories of my father are of the family gatherings in Lawrenceville, at my grandparents home, where he entertained everyone with his stories and laughter. I also recall our family trip to Florida in his blue VW bus when I was 5.  We went to watch the Apollo launch to the moon, an event so important to me personally, that I am certain it lead to my life in aviation.    

I also recall the best advice he ever offered me, although he didn't mean it as advice.. I was not yet 19 and we were both leaving for work early in the day.  He was dreading another day at  a job he loathed, and as he was walking out the door, he turned and quoted Confucius to me: "Choose a job you like, and you'll never work a day in your life".  It was meant as a commentary on his working life, but I choose to take it as advice.  Thanks dad.


Al, a magnificent grandfather for my children, Zak, Honey Boy, and Toots (Zak, Alex and Natasha).  He welcomed them with open arms (and shoulders with rides up and down the street) into his home, his life and especially his heart. They grew up spending their Easter vacations in Florida with Carol and Al.  They learned to  swim in their pool, make jigsaw puzzles, even a bazooka!  Carol and Al joined us on jaunts to many places like Tarpon Springs and the sponge divers to the beach at Siesta Key. 

Oh and the conversations you could have with Al about his music and band, his Army buddies, and his projects - never without one.    And too, he could be the quiet one smiling in the corner when all of his family and friends were over for dinner. Always room for one more!

I am so grateful that I and my family have so many memories with Carol and this wonderful man. Thanks Al!

Those special memories of you
will always bring a smile
if only I could have you back
for just a little while
Then we could sit and talk again
just like we used to do
you always meant so very much
and always will too
The fact that you're no longer here
will always cause me pain
But you're forever in my heart
until we meet again.
Love and miss you Gran Pap 

Al was basically my adopted grandfather. He and Carol knew me since I was born, and after they moved to Florida I always loved getting to visit every year while growing up. We were always laughing around the table, and he'd tell stories of his bike rides and different animals he would encounter. I was amazed at how active he remained even well into his 70s.

He loved life and laughter and his family, and anyone who set foot in that house always felt like part of the family. I love him and I will miss him, but I know he will always be with us. Rest easy, Al.

Al was a warm, caring, fun loving family man that would do anything for the benefit of his family, friends and those around him.  He had so many talents from playing the vibes, to fixing anything, to building anything, to biking in the dark with the armadillo's. 

We always said Al was our kids adopted grandfather and we are truly blesses to have had him in our lives. God bless Al, Carol and his family and extended family. He will be missed.
Dan Kerr


OBITUARIO

Albert "Pap" Victor Secen Sr.

23 febrero, 1933 – 7 noviembre, 2020

Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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