Robert Victor Scara, the former music minister in St. Paul Parish, Burlington, where he served for many years, died Feb. 24. He was 90.
Funeral services will be held March 20 in Corpus Christi Church, 11 South Sunset Rd., Willingboro. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., with a Mass following at 10:30 with Msgr. James Dubell, a retired priest of the Diocese and former pastor of St. Paul Parish, (now part of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington) serving as principal celebrant.
Born in 1935, in Staten Island, New York, Mr. Scara grew up in a working-class, Catholic household and was the oldest of four children. At a young age, he began to play the organ, performing for Catholic Masses on Staten Island by age 13.
Mr. Scara served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1978, rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the Criminal Investigation Division. His served assignments in Germany, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and various U.S. posts. He earned numerous commendations for his service including the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palms. Wherever he was stationed, he shared his musical talent as an organist.
After retiring from the Army, Bob worked as a detective and then captain with the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, eventually directing the county’s first police academy until his retirement in 2010. From 1985 to 2005, he was the organist, cantor and choir director in St. Paul Parish and throughout his life, he played thousands of Masses around the world, well into his 80s. He was also a member of the Masons and Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Scara is survived by his wife, Edith, who he married in 1962; his children Stephanie Scara, Cathy (Patrick) McKillion, Gerald (Linda) Scara and Leslie Scara; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Burial will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan Hospice 3906 Church Rd., Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. Online donations may be made at https://www.samaritannj.org.