He was born in Scilla on 2 November 1849 to Domenico and Lucrezia Pava.
Having spent the first years of his childhood in the family home, where his father Domenico, a wood sculptor, kept his workshop, he often had the opportunity to try his hand with the tools of the trade.
Gifted with a lively intellect, he showed at an early age remarkable artistic talent, which made him increasingly dissatisfied with the limitations of his father’s workshop, lacking prospects for growth, and inspired him to seek training in broader artistic environments in order to acquire the skills necessary to turn his dreams into reality.
His mother, understanding the situation, consented to let him leave the safety of the family home at only eleven years of age and, still inexperienced, become a “pilgrim of art” in renowned schools. He spent a year in Messina, then moved to Naples and finally to Florence, where he studied under the celebrated sculptor Frullini, who greatly appreciated him and became a close friend.
He soon became a distinguished master of drawing and of the art of wood carving, developing a style so powerful that the material itself seemed to become pliable beneath the blows of his chisel, allowing him to fully realize his artistic visions.
The works he carved acquired such vitality that they appeared almost alive. Focà’s creations were deservedly sought after and collected as the works of one of the greatest masters of wood carving, and today they are preserved in museums throughout Italy.
His works were awarded gold medals at the international exhibitions of Paris, London, Brussels, Chicago, and elsewhere. One of Focà’s earliest works was a casket which, exhibited in Rome, was purchased by King Umberto I; his last was another casket, presented by the ladies of Calabria on 1 September 1897 to the cruiser *Calabria*.
Among Focà’s surviving works are a carved plate and panel, a fireplace, and other masterpieces of great importance, true jewels of the art of carving.
He was the creator of the beautiful cradle that welcomed the infant Crown Prince, who later became King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy. For the Royal Palace of Turin, Focà crafted several magnificent doors, particularly those of the coffee room. In Scilla there remain the central portal of the Church of San Rocco and a photographic medallion of the royal family.
He returned to Calabria to teach drawing at the “R. Piria” Technical Institute, but after a few years he moved to Turin, where he was appointed professor of drawing at the Sommeiller Institute, teaching there with great success.
In that city he established his family, marrying his gentle companion Mery, who was his greatest moral support and with whom he had many children.
Three of his children embraced religious life, and one of them, Father Roberto, a man of great culture and piety who served for many years as a missionary in Africa, frequently returned to Scilla.
From him we learned how deep his father’s love was for his native town: he spoke of it constantly and gave his firstborn daughter the name Scilla, alongside that of his beloved mother.
Falling ill, he passed away on 4 December 1897, at the height of his artistic career.

Giuseppe Ribuffo