UNION TOWNSHIP Friends and family gather to remember supervisor

He had served as township supervisor since 1984.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Union Township Supervisor Ralph Nuzzo, who died last spring, was remembered fondly and honored with a memorial at the Union Township Municipal Building.
A park bench and plaque outside the main entrance to the municipal building were dedicated in his memory Friday.
Later, friends and family gathered for a luncheon and program in which those who knew him reminisced.
Lawrence County Commissioner Roger DeCarbo called Nuzzo "my father figure", noting that both lost their fathers when they were young. In his funeral-home work, Nuzzo handled insurance benefits for bereaved families, and, DeCarbo said, Nuzzo made contacts all over the country to help those families. He said Nuzzo became angry when government rules stood in the way of helping a family.
"He would say: 'This isn't a rule, this is a family!'" DeCarbo recalled.
Known for compassion
He said Nuzzo was known for his compassion. DeCarbo recalled an incident from his own childhood when he traded his new bike for another boy's dog. He said Nuzzo walked him to the boy's house and made him return the dog and get his bike back. It was not till a few days later, DeCarbo recalled, that he learned that Nuzzo had bought the other boy a bicycle and told him he could keep the dog.
Others shared recollections of Nuzzo, who was known for making friends everywhere he went and for entertaining his co-workers with stories of his life.
State Rep Chris Sainato of New Castle, D-9th, attributed much of Union Township's explosive commercial growth over the past few years to Nuzzo's efforts. He called Nuzzo "a friend, a true community leader, an inspiration." Kevin Guinaugh, who served with Nuzzo on the township board of supervisors since 1988, said he misses Nuzzo's presence and guidance.
Memorial plaque
Township Police Chief Joe Lombardo presented Nuzzo's widow, Carmella, with a memorial plaque from the police department.
Others taking part in Friday's ceremonies were the Rev. Kenneth Meyer, Pastor of First Assembly of God of New Castle; Union Middle School soloist Lauren Minenok; and musicians Nicole Benincase, Tim Dudash and Jack Decesare. Gary Bonelli and Vince Fulena, both co-workers of Nuzzo's, also provided comments.
The bench was donated by the Union Sewer and Disposal Authority, and landscaping was donated by Union Township employees and friends of Nuzzo's. A commemorative marker was donated by Bonelli.
Nuzzo was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Township Supervisor Ben Cooper in 1984. In 1988, he was elected to the seat, which he held until his death at age 80 on April 22.