Community spirit was focus of Follansbee dinner

FOLLANSBEE -- The importance of one's roots, family, community and most of all, helping others, was stressed with the presentation of several awards at this year's Follansbee Community Days Dinner Friday at St. Francis Centre.

"Follansbee is a place where God, family and service to the community still mean something," said Anthony Paesano who, as mayor and member of the Community Days committee, created the Make a Difference award to recognized citizens who have impacted others lives in various ways.

This year the award was redubbed to include his name and presented to him.

Presenter Jim Piccirillo noted over the years Paesano has worn many hats, including teacher, coach and principal to president of the city's chamber of commerce, and touched many lives. He noted many have been called by him for a donation for the local food pantry or scholarship fund for Brooke graduates or for help in one of many community projects.

Paesano also was presented a proclamation from Ken Gormley, president of Duquesne University -- his alma mater, and a Duquesne football helmet by Jerry Schmitt, the school's football coach; and the newly created Major Benjamin Follansbee award by the Army Green Beret's father, Dr. William Follansbee.

The grandson of William U. Follansbee, one of four brothers who built the steel mill from which the city sprang, the Pittsburgh physician said the award bears the words service, integrity, humility and courage.

He said they are four qualities possessed by his late son, who received two bronze stars and many other honors for his service as an Army Ranger and Special Forces commander in Iraq and Afghanistan but said little or nothing about such accolades.

Follansbee said Paesano was a fitting recipient because of his civic leadership and efforts, as mayor and chamber president, to recognize and aid veterans like himself.

Paesano said he owes any of his successes to the support of his family -- especially Lorraine, his wife of 67 years -- extended, family and friends and all who have touched his life in various ways.

Noting a football scholarship allowed him to attend Duquesne, he told Schmitt, "Duquesne gave me the greatest opportunity I ever had."

Tribute also was paid to the late Joseph Chorba, a Follansbee native who following his high school graduation in 1940, received a football scholarship to the University of Alabama, for which he played as a guard in two winning bowl games and two national championships.

Jody Chorba said his father narrowly dodged death twice as an Army captain in World War II. First a sniper's bullet passed through his chest and back, missing his vital organs, and later, a jeep he was riding overturned, causing him to break his neck.

Joseph Chorba emerged from both injuries mobile but they did end his football career. Instead, he went on to teach and coach at Alabama's Guntersville High School, where his success led to local newspapers dubbing him "the coach of the century" and school officials naming the football field for him.

Frank Chorba, a Follansbee native now professor emeritus of mass media studies at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas; and Piccirillo, a retired principal, teacher and school board member, also were presented Make a Difference awards for their efforts to preserve the city's history through the Follansbee Timeline website and the I Am from Follansbee Facebook page, respectively.

In recent years the committee also has presented the Lou Holtz Silver Spoon Award, named for the former college football coach who said being born in Follansbee was like being born with a silver spoon because it was there he learned the value of hard work, education and commitment to excellence.

This year's recipient was Frank Santoro, co-founder and chief executive officer of Cronimet of Aliquippa, Pa., a metal processing company that does about $800 million in business yearly.

Like Holtz, Santoro said growing up in Follansbee was a blessing and credited his family for teaching him the importance of hard work and helping others.

As guest speaker for the event, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, W-V.Va., also presented a Congressional proclamation recognizing Santoro's uncle, Santo, for his community involvement. The long-time steelworkers union official has lent his time to youth sports programs and as a member of the Brooke County Solid Waste Authority, among other causes.

Charles Bell, president of the Wellsburg branch of Main Street Bank, was presented the Mary Ruth Morris Humanitarian Award in recognition of his and the bank's efforts to help the community in various ways.

Also recognized was Justin Slanchik, who was selected as grand marshal for the Community Days Parade for his love of the annual festival, where he can be found sitting up front in his wheelchair for each musical act.

The son of Frank and Susan Slanchik, the 34 year old was born with a cerebral hematoba and suffered four heart attacks while an infant.

His father said Justin has been blessed to live in Follansbee, where many greet him warmly.

He said while his son can't communicate clearly to others, Justin is well aware of the love that has been shown him and he only wishes that everyone could show the same kindness to each other.