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If life inGreaterPittstonwere asong, Richie Kossuth would pro-vide the back beat.For providing that beat and for

his behind-the-scenes benefitwork for a myriad of causes Kos-suth is the Sunday Dispatch 2010Person of the Year. He will behonored today at a reception atOur Lady of Mount Carmel Par-ish Center.Kossuth , 49, as the co-owner –

with his mother Marie GriglockandbrotherBillyKossuth –of thevenerable downtown businessRock Street Music and as thedrummer for Pittston’s rock ‘n’roll party bandFlaxyMorgan anddynamic rock duo CNR withpartner Jason “Jaybird” Santos.Whatmany of those same folks

likely don’t know is Kossuth isone of the founders of 12/24, theTSO-inspired Christmas holidayseasonal band which raises mon-ey for autism research and sup-port through The Earthly AngelsAutism Fund.They likely don’t know Kos-

suth, Flaxy, CNRandRock Streetdonated time and talent andequipment to an estimated 40benefits in 2010.They likely don’t know Kos-

suth visits each year up to 25homes playing Santa and theEaster Bunny for kids.They likely don’t know Kos-

suth is anAssistant ScoutMasterfor St. Rocco’s Boy Scout Troop303 where he was mentored byLen “Singie” Sanguedolce.They likely don’t know, unless

they are parishioners ofOurLadyof Mt. Carmel Church, that Kos-suth is a lay lector, something hehas been doing twice amonth for35 years without fail.RockStreetMusic is a business

big and savvyenough tohavepro-vided the sound for the MSNBCtruck at the Obama inaugural,but not too big or self-importantthat it can’t supply sound for, say,Pittston Knights of Columbus orchurch events.In 2010 Kossuth and Rock

Street provided the sound equip-ment and technology for the Pitt-ston Tomato Festival and Okto-berfest and on four stages at Con-cert for a Cause.Let’s just say they all got great

deals.

In 2010 Kossuth and RockStreet recorded a 12/24 CD witha portion of the sale proceeds go-ing to the Earthly Angels.In 2010 Kossuth, with Gene

Guarilia and Dave Williams,played a fund-raiser for CharlesBarone and Elwood Richards,two city firemenwho are battlingcancer, at a highly-successful tentevent called Benefit forHeroes atthe Jenkins Township Fire Hall.Later in the year Kossuth andSantos, as CNR, played a secondgig for the firemen at the fire-men’s beer hall at the PittstonTo-mato Festival.Asked how he was paid for the

Tomato Festival gig, Kossuthlaughed and said, “I’ve got a caseof coolers in the shop.”CNR also played a fund raiser

for the Wyoming RecreationBoard among other free or re-duced price benefit gigs.Kossuth’s natural father, Rich

Kossuth, died at age 26 in 1964when Richie was three.The elder Kossuth ran Richie’s

Record Rack, a pioneer musicstore onWilliam Street, Pittston.Hewas also the leader and accor-dion player for the Rich KossuthOrchestra and was an announcerfor WPTS radio. Richie said he

has precious few enduring me-mories of his father. In one, theybounce on the bed together as ona trampoline.Kossuth was raised by his

mother Marie, a Hughestowncouncilwoman and polka enthu-siast, and her second husbandRich Griglock, whom he consid-ers his father.Richie started guitar lessons

when he was eight, but switchedto drums at10,whenhe foundhismuse in teacher Jimmy Musto.Kossuth joined a band calledStarstruck in high school. He lat-er played with Synch, whosesinger Jimmy Harnen would lat-er make a solo national hit re-cording of the Synch song“Where Are You Now?”Kossuth got a taste of national

fame with Synch on a mid-80stour when they opened for TheHooters and headlinedwith JohnCafferty at PennState. Kossuth isnot on the studio version of thesong, but is on the live version onthe album “Get The Feelin”which was recorded live at SetonCatholic high school after theschool, the smallest in the area,won the contest for a Synchshow.But Kossuth is best known for

Flaxy Morgan, the rock band hefounded with Jeanne Pisano inthe early1990s. In addition to thebenefit gigs this year Flaxyplayed bazaars and festivals fromPioneer Days in Carbondale toNever Too Old to Rock in Nanti-coke and many more in betweenduring the summer.Flaxy has gone through lineup

changes, but Kossuth has alwaysbeen the constant as leader anddrummer. He’s no heavy-handedthrasher. “Most of it is juststraight beat,” he said of his style.The genesis of Rock StreetMu-

sicwas JustDrums, amusic storethat operated out of various Pitt-ston locations, where Kossuthworked, you guessed it, for free.Well, not exactly. He worked

for “points” which he could usetowarddrumequipmenthewant-ed to buy. Later he became a full-time employee.When Just Drums went out of

business Richie’s mother MarieGriglock and his brother Billydropped a surprise on him. “Oneday I walked in the house andthey said ‘we got you a loan,you’re going in business.’ ”Richie and Billy, with brothers

Rossi Kossuth andGaryGriglockchipping in, ran the business out

of his mother’s garage on, appro-priately, Rock Street in Hughes-town for two years beforemovingto the current location at 148South Main.Rock Street expanded into ev-

erything but horns. The businessthrived. Lately though Kossuthsaid advancing technology is eat-ing into the recording end of thebusiness.Recording at Rock Street’s 16-

track – and not so long ago state-of-the-art – studio where MereMortals and George Wesley,amongmanyothers, cut tracks, isbeing hurt by digital home re-cording devices.Kossuth does not have any

kids, but among the many thingshe does for others is playing dadon Sundays to Alexis, 9, and Bi-anca, 5, the nieces of his girl-friend.Coming out from behind the

scenes as an old-fashioned do-gooder wasn’t easy for Kossuth.He likes to talk about Rock Streetand 12/24, music in general, andBoy Scouts but he doesn’t like totalk about himself.When hewas told he’d been se-

lected person of the year, thephone seemed to go dead on hisend. After prolonged silence, hesaid, “I’m speechless.”When he found something to

say itwas to suggest other peoplefor the honor.When he finally ac-cepted he said, “I’m honored be-yond belief.”Kossuth said one of he big in-

fluences in his life was his“Gram” Edna Bucheri, who diedfive years ago.He’s sad she’s not around to en-

joy the Person of the Year honorwith him. “Maybe she’s readingthe heavenly Dispatch,” he saidwith laugh.Last January Cadillacs’ guita-

rist Dave Williams organized abenefit concert “Love for Lora”for his sister who is battling sev-eral life-threatening diseases.That’s where Kossuth began hisyear, providing sound and light-ing and entertainment with CNRfor the Lora benefit.“As usual,”Williams said. “You

can always count on Richie andRock Street.”Askedwhyhedonates somuch

of his time and talent for sickfolks,Kossuth shruggedand said,“I’m healthy.”

This Person of the Year keeps the beatBy Jack SmilesAssociate Editor

PHOTO BY BILL TARUTIS

Greater Pittston Person of the Year Richie Kossuth plays the drums in his store, Rock Street Music,in downtown Pittston.

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3J O S E P H S A P O R I T O L I F E T I M E O F S E R V I C E AWA R D

Ann and Allan Rose, of WestPittston, noted their 50th wed-dinganniversary in2010.Theyal-so noted nearly 50 years of publicservice, both as a couple and asindividuals.And for that they have been

named recipients of the 2010 Jo-seph Saporito Lifetime of ServiceAward.They will be honored at a re-

ception today at Our Lady ofMount Carmel Parish Center.This is the first time since its

inception ten years ago that theaward has gone to a couple.The Roses admit that, while

they often volunteer as individu-als, much of their service hasbeenasa team. “Wedon’t plan it,”Allan said, “things just seem tocome to you.When the boyswerein Scouts and Ann was a denmother, before you knew it, I wasthe treasurer.”The Roses are parents of two

sons: Scott, who resides in Mary-land; and Jim, like his father be-fore him, aWest Pittston council-

man. Allan served on council for21 years. The Roses have fivegrandchildren.Allan, a retired administrator

at Abington Heights School Dis-trict, is on the AdministrativeBoard, which he formerlychaired, of United MethodistChurch of Pittston. He also is onthe Board of Methodist Homes,which operates four campuses in-cludingWesley Village in JenkinsTwp. and is chair of Local Devel-opment for Wesley Village. He istreasurer and past president ofthe Chanters of Irem Temple.Allan’s former involvements in-

clude the West Pittston LionsClub, West Pittston AmbulanceAssociation, West Pittston Li-brary Board and Shrine Club ofGreaterWilkes-Barre, of which ishe past president.Ann Rose is a member of the

Pastoral Advisory Council andAltar & Rosary Society of herchurch, the ParishCommunity ofSt. John the Evangelist in Pitt-ston. She is amember of the JLWMountain Laurel Lions Club,through which she volunteersonce a month at the VAHospital;

a member and past secretary ofthe Lithuanian Women’s Club ofWyoming Valley, a volunteerwith the Care and Concern FoodPantry and Kids’ Kloset, and amember of the Blooms and Bub-bles Chapter of the Red Hat So-ciety.Ann and Allan both volunteer

withMeals onWheels of GreaterPittston.In addition, Ann volunteers at

the pizza stand at the annualsummer bazaar of St. John theEvangelist Church with Allan asher helper, and Allan volunteersas chairperson of the UnitedMethodist hoagie sale with Annas his helper.Both faithful parishioners and

active church members, Ann andAllan have been referred to asGreater Pittston’s “EcumenicalCouple.”Ann is Catholic and Allan

Methodist and while that wasnever an issue for either of them,they point out theirmarriagewasconsidered somewhat scanda-lous 50 years ago. “My father wasupset I wasn’t marrying a Lithua-nian let alone a non-Catholic,”

Ann said.While their volunteer efforts

have led them into each other’scongregation, for 50 years theyhave continued to worship sepa-rately. Allan said on Sundaymornings, he parks the car in thelot of St. John the Evangelist intime for Ann to attend the10 a.m.Mass at St. John’s and him to at-tend the 9:30 service at UnitedMethodist right around the cor-ner.“Then we meet and go to

brunch,” Ann said.Ann said the same thing that

has kept them together as a cou-ple has kept them volunteeringall these years. “It’s love,” shesaid. “You remember that youlove the other person and yougive to your church and to thecommunity because you loveGod.”Ann said her community ser-

vice also stems from a sense ofgratitude. “I am grateful to Godfor my healthy mind and myhealthy body. And my two newknees,” she quickly added.She added that she and Allan

are both grateful he is alive and

Allan concurred. An automobileaccident in 1956, four years be-fore they weremarried, left Allannearly dead. In fact, as he puts it,hewas “left for dead” on a gurneyin the hospital.But through marvelous medi-

cal care and, both emphasize, the“power of prayer,” he survived.He spent threemonths in thehos-pital flat on his back.“The nurses were wonderful,”

he said. “Many of them I hadgraduated high school with.”Allan said his volunteer work

over the years “is part of the proc-ess of giving back.”Ann said throughout the years

the two of them have always sup-ported each other when it cameto public service, “sometimes if itwas only to babysit while the oth-er had something to do.”Part of the process, Ann said,

“is the good feeling you get whenyou help someone.”“And,” Allan added, “it’s nice

that you are able to.”They said they are humbled by

the award but, in Allan’s words,“also flattered.”

Joseph Saporito Lifetime of Service recipients Ann and Allan Rose, seated, surrounded by their family. Standing, from left, grandson Chris,son Scott, granddaughter Courtney, daughter-in-law Yvette, grandson Brad, son Jim, daughter-in-law Cathy, grandson Tom and grandson Jay.

Roses share their love through volunteerismBy Ed AckermanDispatch Editor

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011 H I S T O R Y O F T H E A N N U A L S U N D AY D I S PAT C H AWA R D S

The Earthly Angles Autism Fund’s MISSIONis to proactively increase autism awareness;provide funding to qualified nonprofitorganizations for autistic services, supportprograms, and education; and to bring hopeto those families who deal with the hardshipsof this disorder. Since the Fund’s inception,2001, the Earthly Angels Autism Fund hasdonated in excess of $140,000 to localnon-profit organizations to benefit localautistic individuals!

CONGRATULATIONSTO OUR GOOD FRIEND &Greater Pittston’s Person of theYear

RICHIE KOSSUTHEarthlyAngelsAutism FundFrom Ron & Brenda D’Eliseo (Founders)

& the Board of Directors

273519

The Catholic Community Of

OUR LADY OF MT. CARMELAND

ST. ROCCOPittston, Pa

We are honored to host your special event at theMt. Carmel Parish Center located adjacent to

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, William St., Pittston.Banquet Manager — Christine SilinskieTo reserve the hall for your party or event,

call the banquet office at 704-8861

offers its prayerful congratulations to

RICHIE KOSSUTH2010 Greater Pittston Person of the Year

and

ANN & ALLAN ROSERecipients of the Joseph Saporito, Sr.

Lifetime Achievement Award

AMethodistman and aRomanCatholic woman who have beenmarried for 50 years walk into aroom with a drummer in a rock‘n’ roll band. What’s the punchline?There is nonebecausewhilethe Sunday Dispatch Person ofthe Year may be fun, it’s not ajoke.The drummer is Richie Kos-

suth and while he is perhaps bestknown for keeping the beat in theband Flaxy Morgan and runninghis successful Pittstonmusic andsound business, Rock Street Mu-sic, it turns out he is a volunteerwho donates countless hoursalongwith his abundant talent toa countless number of worthycauses.The husband andwife, or “Pitt-

ston’s Ecumenical Couple,” asthey have been called, are Allanand Ann Rose, who have spent alifetime serving others and set-

ting an example of what a mar-ried couple should be.All three will be honored today

at a reception at Our Lady ofMount Carmel Parish Center –Kossuth as the Sunday DispatchGreater Pittston Person of the

Year, and the Roses as recipientsof the JosephF. SaporitoLifetimeof Service Award.Festivities get underway at

12:30 with a luncheon followedbyaprogramandawards ceremo-ny.A free-will donationwill be ac-

cepted at thedoor supporting thecauses selected by the recipients:TheEarthlyAngelsAutismFund,theGreater Pittston FoodPantry,and Shriners’ Hospitals for Chil-dren.Kossuth becomes the Dis-

patch’s 11th Person of the Year.The award was instituted in

2000whenMike Lombardo, thenmayor of Pittston, was selectedas the first Sunday Dispatch Per-son of the Year. The Lifetime ofService Award was added the fol-lowing year and awarded posthu-mously to Atty. Joseph F. Sapori-to, who had passed away duringthe year. It was decided from thestart that subsequent Lifetime ofService awards would bear hisname.Previous Persons of the Year,

besides Lombardo, have been:2001 - Lori Nocito, the consum-mate volunteer and to this daydriving force behind the highlysuccessful Pittston Tomato Fes-tival; 2002 - Frank Bartoli, at thetime executive director of the

GreaterPittstonYMCA;2003 - allGreater Pittston persons servingtheir country in the military;2004 – Ron D’Eliseo, founder ofthe Earthly Angels Autism Fund;2005 – Father Paul McDonnell,thenpastor ofOurLadyofMountCarmelChurchwho initiated andoversaw the construction of theparish center; 2006 – the JoyceFamily, saviors of Main Streetand founders of the Miles for Mi-chael Fund; 2007 – Msgr. JohnBendik, pastor of the ParishCommunity of St. John the Evan-gelist who sensitively and skill-fully lead his congregationthrough the closings of three be-loved churches; 2008 – PeggyBurke, founder of the PittstonFood Pantry; and 2009 – StateTrooper Joshua Miller, honoredposthumously after givinghis lifein the line of duty.Past recipients of the Saporito

Lifetime of Service awards are:2003 - Thomas “Kubby” Kobesky

First Dispatch Person of the Year named in 2000By Ed AckermanAnd Jack SmilesDispatch editors

FILE PHOTO

The first two Sunday Dispatch Greater Pittston Person of the Yearaward recipients, Michael Lombardo, left, and Lori Nocito.

See HISTORY, Page 7

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Love, Your Family

Richard &

MarieGrigloc

k

William&

Lisa Kossuth

Ross Kossuth

Gary &Joan G

riglock

Mathew, Mark

& Mason Dan

tone

Bernard BuchieriGram BurchieriLisa, DarrenLePageTyler & BrandonLe PageDr. Ross Buchieri

SAPORITO, SAPORITO& FALCONE

We are proud to continue thetradition of the

Lifetime of Service Award tothis year’s recipientsAnn and Allan Rose

in honor of ourfather and founder

Joseph F. Saporito, Sr.

We saluteRichie Kossuthfor his continual

behind-the-scenes benefitwork for a variety of causes

being namedGreater Pittston

Person of the Year 2010

Joseph F. Saporito, Sr.(1919 - 2001)

Sincerely,Atty. Joseph F. Saporito, Jr., Carlo Saporito,

and Atty. Sam Falcone, Jr.

1308 Grove Street • Avoca, PA 18641(570) 457-6549

Paula J. Regan, OwnerJohn W. Fetsock, Jr., F.D./Supervisor

18 Kennedy Street • Pittston, PA 18640(570) 654-2250

James M. Ruane, Funeral Directorwww.ruaneandregan.com

On your accomplishmentsfor service to our community!

FROM THE STAFF AT

Congratulations Richie KossuthCongratulations Richie Kossuthand Ann & Allan Roseand Ann & Allan Rose

PAGE6

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Rev. Paul A. McDonnell, O.S.J.Seminary Rector / Vocation Director

OBLATES OF ST. JOSEPH SEMINARY1880 Highway 315 • Pittston, PA 18640

(570) 654-7542Email: osjseminary@comcast.net

Website:www.oblates-stjoseph.com

CONGRATULATIONSto my good friend,

RICHIEKOSSUTH

Greater Pittston’s 2010Man of the Year

and To my Godmother,

ANN ROSE,and husband,

ALLANWell-deserved recipientsof the Joseph F. Saparito

Lifetime of Service Award.

Ann and Allan,Congratulations

and Lovefrom

Helen Rose Baronand her family,

Chester and June Roseand Grace Rose

271986

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CONGRATULATIONS TORICHIE KOSSUTH

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And ToANN AND ALLAN ROSETHE JOSEPH F. SAPORITO

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H I S T O R Y O F T H E A N N U A L S U N D AY D I S PAT C H AWA R D S

(posthumously), a State Trooperwho died unexpectedly, and wasactive in youth sports programs;2004 – Betty Miller, a volunteerwith dozens of organizations in-cluding the Daughters of theAmerican Revolution, the Salva-tion Army, the Wyoming Libraryand, with her husband Coray,keeper of the Wyoming Monu-ment; 2005 – Charles “Cugsy”Adonizio (posthumously), a life-long volunteer, especially withveterans’s organizations; 2006 –Warren Pollard, head chef at firstUnited Methodist Church whomade a practice of making sureno one went without a Thanks-giving dinner; 2007 – Janet Dela-ney, “Miss Everything” not onlyat St. John the Evangelist Churchbut in the community in general;2008 – Joseph Tavaglione, foun-der of the Coats for Kids pro-gram; 2009 – James Steer, activein veterans’ organizations andhose companies and ambulanceassociations; 2010 – Maria Capo-larella Montante, a volunteerfrom the time she was a little girlto this day.

History of the AwardAs the year 2000 drew to a

close andmembers of the SundayDispatch editorial team reflectedon events of the previous 12months, the impact of Pittston’syoung mayor, Michael Lombar-do, was hard to ignore. That wasthe year of the new downtownMillenniumClock, theyearof thenew Pittston Library, and in es-sence, the year of the beginningof the revitalization of PittstonCity (a revitalization that contin-ues today under current MayorJason Klush).We believed Lombardo’s ef-

forts in 2000 should not go unrec-ognized and we believed we hadjust the vehicle tomake sure theydidn’t: our newspaper, the Sun-day Dispatch. The appropriaterecognition, we agreed, shouldbe “Person of the Year.”And with that, the Sunday Dis-

patch Greater Pittston Person oftheYearAwardwas born. The an-nouncement of the first awardcame in the Dec. 31, 2000, issueof the Dispatch and Lombardowas honored at a reception onFeb. 4, 2001, at the GramercyBallroom.

Interestingly, when inter-viewed by the Dispatch, Lombar-do gave credit for his running formayor to, aside from his father,Atty. Joseph F. Saporito, who in1953 had been Pittston’s young-est mayor. “I often turn to Atty.Saporito for advice,” Lombardosaid, “and he never lets medown.”It was interesting because the

following year, the Sunday Dis-patch added a second annualaward: the Lifetime of ServiceAward. It was given posthumous-ly to Atty. Saporito, who passedaway thepreviousAugust.MayorLombardo insisted on sponsor-ing the award that year and theDispatch decided that all futureLifetime of Service awardswouldbear Atty. Saporito’s name.Atty. Saporito’s widow, Dolly

(whohas sincepassedaway), andsons, Carlo and Atty. Joseph F.Saporito Jr. accepted the awardat the Feb. 2, 2002, reception atSt. Anthony’s Center, Exeter, be-fore the largest crowd to gatherfor the award reception.ThePerson of theYear for 2001

was Lori Nocito, chair of the Pitt-ston Tomato Festival, founder oftheChamberofCommerceWom-en’s Network, and active volun-teer with Coats for Kids and theSalvation Army.Revitalization of downtown

Pittston also influenced the 2002Person of the Year choice. It was

the new, energetic executive di-rector of the Greater PittstonYMCA, FrankBartoli. The enthu-siasm he brought to the Y infect-ed all of Main Street.The Saporito Lifetime of Ser-

vice Award was once again pre-sented posthumously, this timeto a young man who died unex-pectedly at the age of 39 but leftan indelible mark during hisshort lifespan.Thomas “Kubby” Kobeski, a

Pennsylvania state trooper, was avolunteer in every sense, mostlywith youth soccer, Little Leaguebaseball, and the Boy Scouts. Hiswidow, Jackie, and sonsThomas,Matthew and Zachary acceptedthe award at the reception at theSt. Maria Goretti Church hall.The nationwent towar in 2003

and the Dispatch honored all lo-cals serving in themilitary asPer-sons of the Year. As they were be-ing honored at a reception atConvention Hall, most of thosehonorees were serving in Iraqwith Company A, Second Battal-ion, 103rd Armor, out of WestPittston. Staff Sgt. Charles Cola-russo gave amoving speech as heaccepted the award on behalf ofhis comrades in arms.The Saporito Award for 2003

was again presented posthu-mously. Charles “Cugsy” Adoni-zio, who died the previous Octo-ber at 88yearsold, had served theregion’s youth in a variety of ca-

pacities throughout his life. Itwas fitting that he be honored onthe same day as our men andwomen in uniform since he hadserved 33 months of active dutyin the Pacific during World WarII, organized theWyoming ValleyNaval Reserve Center, becomingits first commanding officer, andretired from the U.S. Navy as aLieutenant Commander.For the year 2004, the fifth Per-

son of the Year honor went to “aman with a cause” when RonD’Eliseo was selected for hiswork benefiting childrenwith au-tism and their families. D’Eliseo,along with his wife Brenda, tookinspiration from their son Rob-ert, who has autism, to raiseawareness of the disease andraise money to help fight it. Withtheir friends, many of themRon’smotorcycle-riding buddies, theyformed The Earthly Angels Au-tism Fund and instituted an an-nual motorcycle rally to raiseawareness and funds.Theycalledthe event “Ride for Robert.”Several years ago, in order to

expand involvement, “Ride forRobert” evolved into “Reggae forRobert,” a late summer dinner-dance with an island theme.“Reggae for Robert” has beenheld every August since.For 2004, a living person, Betty

Miller, who was “still serving at88,” became the fourth JosephSaporito Award recipient. Let’s

just say without her the Wyom-ing Monument might be a crum-bled ruin rather than a nationaltreasure. But her volunteer workwent far beyond the 60-plus yearsshe devoted to the care of themonument.Recognized nationally for her

work with the Daughters of theAmerican Revolution (DAR), Be-ttywas also active in local churchand women’s groups, the drivingforce behind the Wyoming FreeLibrary, and chaired the CitizensAdvisory Council of the GreaterPittston Salvation Army for sev-eral years.At thePersonof theYear recep-

tion, held that year at the Gra-mercy Ballroom in Pittston, Be-tty surprised everyone when shebegan her remarks with, “Let’sget something straight, I’m not aGreater Pittston person. I’m fromPlymouth.”She had been born in Ply-

mouth, that’s true, but at the timeshe was honored, Betty had beenliving in Wyoming for nearly 70years.The 2006 recipients were hon-

ored at the new Our Lady ofMount Carmel Parish Center.The 2005 Person of the Year

was one of the most reluctant re-cipient in the history of theaward. Father Paul McDonnell,thenpastor ofOurLadyofMountCarmel Church, was honored forconceiving the idea of the beauti-ful new parish center and thenrallying his flock to raise thefunds to have it built. The centeris considered one of themost sig-nificant building projects in Pitt-ston City in several years. But Fa-ther McDonnell insisted the peo-ple of his parish were “the truepersons of the year” and he saidjust that at the reception.The Lifetime of Service Award

for 2006 went to Warren Pollard,a humble man who generouslygave of his time and talent – hisability to cook and bake – to sup-port his parish, First UnitedMethodist Church of West Pitt-ston.Then 72 years old, Pollard

served his fellow man and livedhis faith by cookingmeals as fun-draisers (often serving hundredsofmeals), delivering food to shut-ins with Greater Pittston Mealsof Wheels, or serving a completeThanksgivingdinner each year atthe church for “anyone with noplace to go” on Thanksgiving.The 2006 Person of the Year

award went to “persons” – theJoycebrotherswhooperate Joyce

HISTORYContinued from Page 4

FILE PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK

Msgr. John Bendik is presented with the Sunday Dispatch’s Person of the Year Award for 2008 by theDispatch editor Ed Ackerman.

See HISTORY, Page 11

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FILE PHOTOS BY BILL TARUTIS

Maria Capolarella Montante shows off the Joseph Saporito Lifetime of Service Award at last year’sreception.

Dispatch editor Ed Ackerman, right, presents the Person of the Year Award

The all-grown-up St. Rocco’s Drillerettes which Maria Capolarella Montanteman, Mary Ann Policare, Susan Lamarca, Barbra Stanish, Laura Schillaci, MMichelle Capolarella. Second row, Mary Granficara, Marie Ferrara, Nancy BrMurphy, Frances Casper. Third row, Frances Castellino, Carol Scarantio, JanJake, Andrian Soska, Elaine Stanish, Cindy Savokinas. Absent from photo:Mary Brogna, Corrine Parry, Ann Manganaro.Judge Tom Burke and past Person of the Year Peggy Burke at the 2010 reception.

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d to the family of Trooper Joshua Miller.

Award winner Maria gets a smooch from her husband Chester Montante, left, and Dispatch editor EdAckerman.

Trooper Miller’s widow Angie Miller; Joe Terrana, representing Congressman Paul Kanjorski; TrooperMiller’s mother; and State Rep. Mike Carroll at the 2010 reception.

Mary Doran, left, Carolee Aycock, Barbara Insalaco, and Jean Evans don their red hats in support ofMaria Capolarella Montante at the 2010 reception.

e founded in the 1970s. First row, left to right, Angela Macario, Patty Ro-Mary Clair Lamarca, Marilyn, Capolarella, Karen Giamuso, Debbie Brogna,rogna, Mary Clemick, Adele Policare, Sandy Roman, Debbie Conroy, Almanet Guarnari, Josie Bellanco, Georginna Grobincki, Gloria Macario, SusanSandra Arfanella, Nancy Navarro, Donna Brogna, Terry Lamarca, Rose

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268017

WeAre Here ForYou!WeAre Here ForYou!We Care!We Care!

Every Life Is Precious –Make The Right ChoiceCALL US!CALL US!

PRO LIFE CENTER of Wilkes-BarreA CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER

31 Hanover StreetWilkes-Barre, PA 18702 570•826•1819570•826•1819570•826•1819570•826•1819

Completely staffed by volunteers for over 20 years!

Helping Where HelpIs Needed Most

With AnUntimely Pregnancy

Little Anna, a down’s child, is a veryspecial gift from God.

272414

272414

Congratulations toRichie Kossuth, Greater Pittston Person of the Year, 2010

andAnn & Allan Rose, recipients of the Joseph F. Saporito

Lifetime of Service Award

MAYORJason Klush

MEMBERS OF COUNCILMichael Lombardo Danny Argo Joseph Chernouskas Joseph McLean

CONTROLLERChris Latona

TREASURERKathy Cunard

CITY CLERKJoseph Moskovitz

Thank you for your unselfish hard work and dedication for the betterment of others.

Atlas Insurance Group& Atlas Realty Inc.

Recognizing yourdedication to our community.

Congratulations

on your well deserved awards!

Richie KossuthRecipient of the

Person of The Year 2010 Award

Ann and Allan RoseRecipients of the

Joseph F. Saporito Lifetimeof Service Award

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11H I S T O R Y O F T H E A N N U A L S U N D AY D I S PAT C H AWA R D S

Insurance on Main Street, Pittston. FourJoycebrothers (John, Joseph,Billy andDa-vid) were honored in the flesh and a fifth(Michael) was honored in spirit. The pre-vious year, Michael Joyce had died after acourageous battle with cancer. A fundrais-er in his honor – a walk at Charley TrippiStadium at Pittston Area High Schoolnamed “Miles for Michael” – raised morethan $100,000whichwas used to help fam-ilies dealingwith cancer. The fund is ongo-ing and families continue to be helped inMichael’s name.The Joyces were also honored for being

thebest friendsdowntownPittstonhas, in-vesting in their business on Main Streetwhich employs more than 60 people, andsupporting a variety of initiatives, espe-

cially the Pittston YMCA.Lifetime of Service recipient that year

was JanetDelaney, “awoman identified byher causes.”Fromher church, to theAmer-ican Red Cross to the Pittston MemorialLibrary, Janet’s causes are her life. At thetime she was honored, she said the personwho should be honored is her pastor,Msgr. John Bendik. She was among manywho nominated him for the next year’saward, which he received.Msgr. Bendik was honored with the

2007 award for the delicate and thoughtfulmanner in which he shepherded his flock,and truly all of Greater Pittston, throughthe closing of three churches totalingmore than 300 years of service in this com-munity.The Lifetime of Service Award that year

went to Joseph Tavaglione who vowedwhile serving in Vietnam and seeing chil-dren do without that he would one day dosomething in their memory. What he didwas found the Greater Pittston Coats for

Kids programPeggy Burke, who turned her vision of a

food pantry into a reality, a reality that isgrowing every year to this day,was a reluc-tant honoree for the year 2008 but sheagreed to accept the award on one condi-tion: that it be on behalf of all the volun-teers sheworkedwith. And that’swhat shedid.Jimmy Steer was that year’s Saporito

award winner. Among his many involve-ments forwhich hewas honoredwasmorethan 40 years of service to Lions Interna-tional.Last year was perhaps the most difficult

as the Person of the Year was present onlyin spirit. Trooper Joshua Miller had givenhis life in the line of duty helping to rescuea small boy from his own father who hadkidnapped him. In making the announce-ment, the Dispatch called Miller “The he-ro we needed.”The Saporito Award recipient last year

was Maria Capolarella Montante, whoselifetime of servicewaswell reflected in theaudience which included the all-grown-upmembers of the majorette program shestarted at St. Rocco’s Church in the 1970sright up to members of her current RedHats Society chapter.The Sunday Dispatch family is proud

and honored to present these awards eachyear.We salute this year’s and all past recip-

ients and look forward to recognizing fu-ture honorees. Those who reside in Grea-ter Pittston will tell you this is a close-knitcommunity filled with deep faith, goodspirit and a strong sense of family values.We believe the Dispatch, for the past 64years, has had something to do with that.As we often point out at the reception,next year’s recipients could well be in theroom today at Our Lady of Mount CarmelParish Center.

FILE PHOTO BY BILL TARUTIS

Angie Miller, widow of the 2009 Person of the Year recipient Trooper Joshua Miller,and Maria Capolarella Montante, recipient of the 2010 Joseph Saporito Year’s Life-time of Service recipient, at last year’s reception.

HISTORYContinued from Page 7

IN HONOR OF

RRICHIEICHIE KKOSSUTHOSSUTHCongratulations on Person of theYear.

It could not have went to a more deservingperson. We are so proud of you. You are &always will be “our” person of the year.

Love,Mary, Alice, John, SharonAnd your rent a kids, Alexis & Bianca.

Richie!We always knew you would be famous!!

Mary Lou, Ellen and Laurie

From your Class of 1979“groupies”

CONGRATULATIONSRichie Kossuth

&Ann and Allan Rose

Kingston Exeter

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Congratulations toAnn and Allan

Roseon receiving the

JOSEPH F. SAPORITOLIFETIME OF

SERVICE AWARD

from theAltar and Rosary Society of

St. John the Evangelist

From Your Friends Of 45 Years!

Ray Bartolai, Tim Dougherty, Pat Acierno, Pat Lizza

Bartolai WineryRRRRRR BB ll ii TiTTiTi DDDD h PPPP AAAAA iii PPP LiLi

FILE PHOTO

Times Leader Publisher Rich Connor, right, presents the 2006 Dispatch Person of the Year Award to the Joyce Brothers, from left, Joseph Jr., David, John, and Bill. Therein spirit was deceased brother Michael.

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CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK

Person of the Year Msgr. Bendik and his oldest sister DorothyLukasik at the 2008 reception.

FILE PHOTO

Editor Ed Ackerman presents the Person of the Year for 2001 to Lori Nocito.

FILE PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK

The Tavaglione family gathered for a group shot at the 2008 reception. Joseph Tavaglione, seatedcenter, was awarded the Joseph Saporito Lifetime of Service Award.

FILE PHOTO

Past award recipients, from left, Person of the Year Father PaulMcDonnell, Lifetime of Service recipient Warren Pollard, and Per-sons of the Year Lori Nocito and Mike Lombardo.

FILE PHOTO

Editor Ed Ackerman presents the Person of the Year award toPeggy Burke in 2009.

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Klean & KlassyResidential and Office Cleaning

To “2010 Greater Pittston Person Of The Year”

Richie KossuthandAnn and Allan Rose

“The Joseph F. Saporito Lifetimeof Service Award” Recipients

Congratulations To All Three Very Deserving People!!!

From Deb & Pete Musinski

Husky Provisions

214 Washington Street, West Pittston, PA 18643655-9010

Congratulations toAnn and Allan

St. Rocco’sTroop 303salutes our 21st Eagle Scout

Richie KossuthGreater Pittston Person

of theYear

toRichie Kossuth

andAnn and Allan Rose

WE AREPROUD OF YOU

Your Parish Community ofSt. John the EvangelistFILE PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK

Person of the Year recipients Father Paul McDonnell and Msgr. John Bendik share amoment at the 2008 recipient.

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T H E M A N F O R W H O M T H E AWA R D I S N A M E D

“Joe’s accomplishments inlife are those to which manystrive by few achieve,” readsthe plaque in the LuzerneCounty Law Library in memo-ry of Atty. Joseph Saporito, Sr.who passed away in 2001.“However,” the plaque con-

tinues, “his greatness, andperhaps most memorablequality was his genuine senseof kindness. He was a man oftremendous generosity andhonor who never forgot fromwhere he came.”This man of “tremendous

generosity and honor” – Atty.Joseph Saporito Sr. – was hon-ored posthumously in 2002 asthe recipient of the first Sun-day Dispatch Greater PittstonLifetime of Service Award.The presentation too place atthe Dispatch Person of theYear reception at St. Antho-ny’s Center in Exeter. Theaward was not only presentedin Saporito’s memory, but wasalso named after him. Futurerecipients have received theAtty. Joseph Saporito Sr. Grea-ter Pittston Lifetime of Ser-vice Award.The first award was present-

ed by Pittston Mayor MichaelLombardo, its co-sponsoralong with the Dispatch. Itwas accepted by Saporito’swidow, Yolanda “Dolly” Sapo-rito, and his sons, Carlo Sapo-rito and Atty. Joseph SaporitoJr.“My dad’s life was nothing

but service,” said Joseph Jr. atthe time. “Although it was notan elected office, he saw hisprofession as an attorney asone of public service. Ourhome telephone number wasalways published in the phonebook and he’d take every call,no matter what time it came.”“And there’s no way of tell-

ing how much legal service hedid without charge,” addedCarlo. “He was very con-cerned about the underprivi-leged. We’ll always rememberthe one client, an elderly Ital-ian woman, whom he went tosee at her home and communi-cated with in Italian. Whenshe asked his fee, he said, ‘You

remind me so much of mymother, how can I chargeyou?’ Actually, I never remem-ber him asking anyone formoney.”Both sons said that, to their

father, service began with ser-vice to God.“My dad would always say

he felt best when he was walk-ing out of church after attend-ing Mass,” Carlo said. “Andboth Joe and I have memoriesof him walking in the hallwayat night saying the Rosary. Hesaid it every day and when hewas in the hospital. The ros-ary had to be right by his bed-.”Saporito continued to servehis clients right up to hisdeath, at age 82. “The day be-fore he went to the hospital,”Carlo said, “he called me intoour law library. ‘You knowthat case everyone gave upon?’ he said. ‘Well, I found ananswer for it.’“He never treated me any

different than a son,” said At-ty. Sam Falcone Jr., a partnerin the Saporito Law Firm. “Iconsider myself extremely for-tunate to have had the oppor-tunity, honor and benefit ofworking with him.”A U.S. Navy officer in World

War II and the youngest may-or of Pittston when elected in1953, Saporito is creditedwith initiating the first rede-velopment of the city he lovedso much.“My father was very mod-

est,” Joseph Jr. added. “He al-ways said, ‘Don’t tell anyonewhat you have accomplished.What you have accomplishedwill speak louder than yourwords.’”The memory of Atty. Joseph

Saporito Sr. lives on in theaward bearing his name andthe spirit of Atty. Joseph Sapo-rito Sr. lives on in the recip-ients of the Lifetime of Ser-vice Award.

Joseph Saporito devoted his life to serviceBy Ed AckermanDispatch Editor

FILE PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK

Joseph Saporito Lifetime Service Award 2008 recipient Joseph Tavaglione is presented the award by Atty. Joseph Saporito Jr. andCarlo Saporito.

Atty. Joseph Saporito Sr.

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121 South Main Street, Pittston • 654-0067

Atty. Michael I. Butera

The Law Offices ofMichael I. ButeraAccidents • DUI • Social Security

Workers Comp • DomesticCriminal Arrests • Products Liability

Personal Injury • Real EstateAnd All Other Legal Matters

Proud to be acknowledged by my peers as aPENNSYLVANIA SUPER LAWYER

every year since 2005.This recognition is given to 5% of the lawyers in

Pennsylvania by Phildelphia Magazine

We are fortunate to have people likeRichie Kossuth and Ann and Allan Rose in our community.Their tireless committement to others is an inspiration to us all.

Richie KossuthGreater PittstonPerson of the Year

2010

Ann and Allan RoseRecipients of the

Joseph F. Saporito Lifetimeof Service Award

Providing Quality Legal Services To The People Of Northeast PA Since 1976

Celebrating35Years1976 2011