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Service to community applauded in Follansbee

SPECIAL RECOGNITION — Several Follansbee residents were honored for their service to the community at the Follansbee Community Days Dinner Wednesday. Participants in the dinner included, front, from left, honorees Vickey Ross, Mary Santangelo, Anthony “Butch” Rotellini and Larry Rea; and back, Mayor David Velegol Jr., emcee; 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge James Mazzone, guest speaker; honorees J.J. Bernabei and Tetsukiko “Tanner” Okano; and the Rev. Dan Cooper, who offered prayers. -- Warren Scott

FOLLANSBEE — As guest speaker for the Follansbee Community Days Dinner Wednesday, 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge James Mazzone noted many were negatively impacted by last summer’s flood but he said it’s often during such times, the best in people emerges.

The judge said while some communities might have suffered for months or longer, the city was able to recover relatively quickly because “The people here rolled up their sleeves and got to work.”

Mazzone said recovery from the flood can be attributed to many, in and outside the city, who gave of their “time, talents and treasure.” He said that’s also true of those honored at the dinner, who he said possess a giving spirit.

“They’ve learned success isn’t only what you get out of life but also what you give back,” he said.

Honored for their unique contributions to the city were:

• J.J. Bernabei, one of two recipients of the Making a Difference Award.

As master of ceremonies, Mayor David Velegol Jr. noted since Bernabei and his wife, Sue, opened the Follansbee Pharmacy in 1996, his business has grown to include three additonal pharmacies and a medical supply company, under the umbrella of the Tri-State Medical Group, that collectively employ 80.

Velegol noted Bernabei has been a major regular supporter of Community Days and other causes, including A Child’s Place Court-Appointed Special Advocates, the Weirton United Way and the Weirton Rotary Club.

Bernabei said the business recently served its millionth customer and he attributes its success to a hard-working staff he has trained to treat each customer as though he or she were their grandparent.

• Anthony “Butch” Rotellini, the other Making a Difference Award recipient. Rotellini has organized the Community Days car cruise for several years, naming it last year for the late Howard “Howdy” Verner, a supporter of the event and Community Days. Through his leadership of the Ohio Valley Mopar Club and membership in the Northern Panhandle Shrine Club, Rotellini also has helped to raise funds for many other causes.

Rotellini said his parents taught him and his six siblings the importance of giving back to the community and thanked fellow members of the Community Days committee for the award.

• Tetsuhiko “Tanner” Okano, chief executive officer of Wheeling-Nisshin Steel, who will serve as marshal for the Community Days Parade.

Velegol said under the leadership of Okano and others, the steel firm has been a great community supporter, donating $100,000 to the city’s flood relief fund, $100,000 for the city’s new ball fields and over the last 26 years, funded more than $25,000 in scholarships for Brooke High School graduates.

Okano said he’s proud that the company has contributed to the community and pleased it has had a good relationship with the city.

• Larry Rea, who was presented the Lou Holtz Silver Spoon Award, named for the famed college football coach and Follansbee native, for his many years of service in the city’s fire department, including 38 as chief.

Velegol said Follansbee residents know when any emergency occurs in the city, Rea will be there.

Rea said he wouldn’t have received the honor if not for the efforts of the firefighters under him and guidance of the fire chiefs who came before him. He said his mother, a volunteer with Rhododendron Girls State and the city’s park board for many years, and his late father, a former Follansbee councilman, set an example of public service for him.

• Vickey Ross and Mary Santangelo, who were presented the Mary Ruth Morris Humanitarian Awards, named for the late operators of the Anderson Children’s Home.

Velegol said the two sisters have played a key role in spaghetti dinners held to raise funds for Community Days as well as being active members of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where Vickey has taught catechism classes and both have served on the parish council, St. Ann’s Guild and funeral luncheon committee.

Ross also was named a 2014 Herald-Star Community Star for her habit of helping those fighting cancer.

The two said their parents taught them to help others, they love their hometown and have enjoyed volunteering for the dinners.

Joe Matello, who wasn’t able to attend, also was honored for his involvement with the pasta dinners as well as his efforts in decorating Follansbee Park for the Christmas in the Park festival.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

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