Shane shines at WVU

Shane Commodore, grandson of the late Jim Commodore, Class of 1950, and son of Jim’s son, John Commodore, and Donna Commodore, is getting a lot of attention for a WVU football redshirt junior walk-on after his performance against TCU.

Shane was second team All-State at Morgantown High. He  played in five games for the Mountaineers in 2015.

Bob Hertzel’s story about Shane:

Commodore proves to be unlikely hero against TCU

·       By Bob Hertzel | For the Times West Virginian

·        

MORGANTOWN — Four years ago — plus a day — Shane Commodore played what he thought might be the most important football game of his life, performing in his final Mohawk Bowl on the artificial surface at Pone Lewis Field.

His Mohigans went into the game at 7-2 against crosstown rival University, which was 8-1, the only loss being to Bridgeport while it had won its two previous games, 93-0.

They were to some underdogs, but not to themselves for they tore the Hawks apart, 35-14, with Commodore all over the field on defense while carrying 13 times for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Yeah, that was as good as it gets, he figures, until this past Saturday when he made what well might have been the best, and the key play, in a 34-10 victory, this time doing it before 61,780 fans and a national television audience at Milan Puskar Field for WVU.

In every way that is the way it’s supposed to work out when you have a big time, grow up in a college town that hosts a big-time state university ... be a fan, show you can play, be a walk-on and work your way into becoming a Saturday hero ... modest, but a hero nonetheless.

It was the opening kickoff against TCU, a game that figured to swing on any single play. This just happened right out of the chute, Commodore not only making the stop on the kickoff deep in TCU territory, but ripping the ball loose and then managing to find a way to go get it.

Listen to head coach Dana Holgorsen on the play:

“We sit in here every Sunday and every single player on the team and every coach, we watch all the special teams’ plays,” Holgorsen related. “All I said was, ‘If you want to get in on one of these units, play like this.’

“He did a great job avoiding a block, making a tackle, forcing a fumble. He could’ve gotten up and started celebrating but he got right up, chased after the ball, after it was fumbled around one or two more times he ends up getting the recovery.

“That’s what special teams is all about, that effort, that non-stop getting after the ball, especially on the coverage units. That’s what we want out of all 10 of our guys running down the field.”

It comes from something within, something that grows as the player grows in the city of Morgantown.

Commodore doesn’t quite remember his first Mountaineer game, but knows he was about 5 years old when he first watched them play in then Mountaineer Field.

He does remember the best Mountaineer game he ever attended.

“I do remember the Virginia Tech game in 2003, when we beat them and they were No. 3 in the nation,” he said.

That game, in 2010, was rated No. 4 in the 30 most unforgettable games in Mountaineer history by the WVU sports information department.

The Big East was falling apart at that time and Virginia Tech was heading for the ACC, carrying a national No. 3 ranking and a 6-0 record. The Mountaineers were suffering through a sour season at 2-4 ... but this was Virginia Tech and WVU mussed their hair good at 28-7.

Games like that stick with you and Commodore grew up with the Mountaineers, through the Pat White era, through Bill Stewart’s upset of Oklahoma.

Then, in his senior year, coach Tony Gibson asked him if he’d walk on.

He had offers in Division II but it was a no-brainer.

You grow up in Morgantown and WVU owns you.

“You ask any kid on any Saturday here in town what they’re doing and they say they’re going to the WVU football game,” Commodore said. “I’d rather go here than anywhere else.”

It was a long, difficult road. The first year he redshirted; the second he didn’t get into a game.

“I always felt like I could play here,” Commodore, now a backup safety in addition to his special team duties, says.” It was more like me just trying to prove myself.

“I feel like the spring of my sophomore year I really felt like I could play here. That’s when I started getting some reps with the defense. It wasn’t a surprise to me. I wouldn’t have come here I didn’t think I could do it.”

Moving up the ladder as a walk-on, though, is a tough task.

Coaches tend to be more forgiving with scholarship players, players they have staked their own reputations on recruiting and into whom a lot of money is going.

A walk-on had a tougher time.

“It takes a lot of hard work,” Commodore said. “The one thing is no matter how hard they make it you have to keep pushing forward, keep getting better. Everyone is going to get their chance. Some may get it earlier, some later, but everyone will get their opportunity to prove themselves.”

What’s tougher is to get a second chance. They give scholarship players time to develop. The coaches may not be as forgiving of walk-ons.

“If you work hard, the coaches will understand that and be more likely to give you that second chance,” Commodore said. “if you prove to them you are committed and will work hard, they are more likely to give you a second chance.”

And so it is that now he’s a player, traveling with the team, seeing different schools and being impressed by what he sees, but ... “When we go on road trips, I’m like, ‘This place is cool, but it’s not home.’” he said.

See, for Shane Commodore, home is where his helmet is.

 

Susan to light up WBOY

Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, and her Christmas Lights Brigade will be on WBOY-TV at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 to discuss the Monongah Christmas Lights fundraiser.

The Lights Association bought a 11 ½ foot banner for the Monongah Fire Department.

Susan, the Christmas angel of Thomas Street, plans to mention Adam Michna, who is buying one of the Christmas lights for $305.

Writes Susan:

“My heart is so overwhelmed with all the support and kindness in our wonderful town. I love you all.”

It’s kind of hard to keep track, but I think that means 8 or 9 new Christmas street lights for my birthplace to go with the 7 that the town of White Hall donated in 2015.

Susan and her Charge of the Lights  Brigade have been busy all summer and autumn raising funds for more street lights.

So far, $3,600. And the Lights Brigade isn't quitting till Monongah streets are lit up like -- well, a Christmas tree.

Clothing donations for Griffey fire victims



Brian Griffey

Paul Griffey

 

 

 

 

Girl 3T-4T in shirts and pants, size 9 shoes.

Boy shoe size 1 and 5-6 clothes.

Dad men’s 34/36 pants and 1x shirts,s ize 10 shoes.

Mom size small clothes, size 7 shoes.

392 Center Street, Monongah to drop off clothes.

Phone 304 657-4494 for details.

Brian Griffey Facebook page.

 

Monongah High grad Michael Griffey and his family escaped unharmed after a fire seriously damaged their Center Street home in Monongah.

The home previously was owned by Mike’s father, the late Paul Griffey, one of three coal miners standing on a wall near the old Thoburn school and later near the Dairy Kone in  famous photos.

Paul was in the Navy during World War II, later
worked at the Fairmont Hotel, the Fairmont Box Factory and retired as a coal miner from the Robinson Run Mine.

Other children of Alberta Bennett Griffey are Mike Griffey and Debby Freeman of Monongah, Joyce Smith, Twanette Griffey and Lashya Griffey of  Atlanta and Kim Tucker of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Judy Henderson Betonte, Class of 1967, passed away Sunday, October 23.

Judy was a Monongah High prom queen and president of the Latin Club. Brains and beauty.

Pam Kincaid West, Class of 1968, who lives in Morgantown, wrote:

“I remember in elementary school their family and ours lived up Parrish Run (in Worthington) and our families would walk together to catch the bus. What great memories."

Judy once taught at Monongah Middle School during her 25 years as a teacher.

Her children, Chris Betonte and Barret Betonte, live in Fairmont. So does her brother, Jeffery Henderson.

Another son, Jonathan Betonte, lives in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. A sister, Joy Henderson Marino, lives in Maryland.

Two brothers, Alan and David Henderson, are deceased.

Judy’s obituary:

Judith Ann Betonte
(November 21, 1949 - October 23, 2016)

Judith Ann Betonte, 66, of Fairmont passed away Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Ruby Memorial Hospital.  Judith was born November 21, 1949 in Parrish Run, daughter of the late Guy and Wanda (Pitman) Henderson.

 Judith was a school teacher for 25 years before retiring.  She taught at Dunbar Middle School, West Fairmont Middle School, Fairview Middle School, and Monongah Middle School.  She was a graduate of Fairmont State College and went on to get her Masters at West Virginia University.

 Judith is survived by three sons, Chris Betonte and wife Angela of Fairmont, Jonathan Betonte of Bethel Park, PA, and Barret Betonte of Fairmont; one brother, Jeffery Henderson and wife Jodi of Fairmont; one sister, Joy Marino of Maryland; a grandson, Christopher Samuel Betonte; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Judith was preceded in death by two brothers, Alan Henderson and David Henderson.

 The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave. Fairmont, on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for a celebration of Judith’s Life.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com   

Shane Commodore, grandson of the late Jim Commodore, Class of 1950, was named Special Teams Champion for his performance in the TCU game on Saturday.

Shane was among six WVU football walk-ons given scholarships for the spring semester.

Against TCU, a 34-10 victim of the unbeaten Mountaineers (6-0), Shane had two tackles and recovered a fumble.

That doubled his tackles total for the season. It was his first forced fumble.

Shane is a redshirt junior and was second team All-State at Morgantown High. The 6-foot, 205-pounder played in five games for the Mountaineers in 2015.

Jim Commodore, Class of 1950, passed away in 2014. Jim’s son, John Commodore, and wife, Donna Commodore, are Shane’s parents. They live in Morgantown.

Shane is an accounting major.

 Jim’s sister, Rose Commodore Cain, also Class of 1950, lives in Fairmont. So does Joe Commodore, their brother.

 

Other brothers are Tom Commodari, Class of 1958, who lives in Monongah, and Don Commodore, also Class of 1958, who lives in Rock Creek, Ohio -- Ashtabula County in northeast Ohio.

 

They were the children of Dominca Commidari (others changed the family name to Commodore).

Judy Mancino, Class of 1971, is hospitalized with antibiotic drips for her inflection, waiting to see if the doctors decide whether to operate to ease her problems.

Judy Lemley Shaffer Mancino grew up in Carolina and lives in Enterprise.

Prayers are always welcome.

Judy studied secretarial/office at OIC Training Academy. OIC is Opportunities Industrialization Center, which was established in Fairmont in 1975. OIC of America was founded in 1964 by Charleston native the Rev. Leon Sullivan.

Ed Graffius, Class of 1971, and wife Brenda Ridenour Graffius, Class of 1974, are celebrating their 43^rd wedding anniversary. They live in Pleasant Valley.

Ed retired from Wal-Mart where he had been receiving manager since 1991. Brenda is a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Ed’s siblings are nurse Brenda Graffius Barna, Class of 1974, who lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina with husband Charles “Chuck” Barna;  the late Dave Graffius, Class of 1973; and the late Donald Graffius, Jr.  Their parents are Helen Prahl Graffius, daughter of Paul and Beulah Toothman Prahl,  and the late Donald Graffius.

Jon Graffius is North Marion Class of 1982. David Graffius, Class of 1973, is deceased.

Helen Prahl Graffius, daughter of Paul and Beulah Toothman Prahl,  lives in Monongah. Her siblings are George Prahl, Charles “Tinker” Prahl, Sarah Prahl Dusenberry,

Jon Graffius is North Marion Class of 1982.

Jimmy Kubiet, Sonny’s son, passes away

o    James “Jimmy” Floyd Kubiet, 53, of Pleasant Valley died Tuesday October 18, 2016 at the Fairmont Regional Medical Center.  Jimmy was born August 21, 1963 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the son of Francis Eugene “Sonny” Kubiet and Elma Teets Kubiet. 

o     

Jimmy Kubiet

o    Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Stanberry Kubiet.

Sonny’s siblings are Leo Kubiet, who lives in Largo, Florida, and Marjorie Kubiet Whitehair, widow of Monongah High grad Cecil Whitehair, who lives in Dayton; and predeceased William “Buddy” Kubiet and Joe Kubiet, Jr.

 

Jimmy’s obituary:

 

o    James “Jimmy” Floyd Kubiet, 53, of Pleasant Valley died Tuesday October 18, 2016 at the Fairmont Regional Medical Center.  Jimmy was born August 21, 1963 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the son of Eugene and Elma (Teets) Kubiet.  He was retired from the family business.

 Jimmy was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Stanberry) Kubiet; his mother, Elma Kubiet; and his father, Eugene Kubiet.

 He is survived by his daughter, Ella Kubiet of Wiley, TX; three sisters, Susan (Kubiet) Brown and husband Eric with whom he resided, Laura (Kubiet) Roach and husband John of Wiley, TX, and Regina (Kubiet) Cole of Preston County; two nephew, Jacob Brown and Aiden Cole; and two nieces, Avery Cole and Morgan Cole.

 Jimmy was a 1981 graduate of North Marion High.  He then Attended Fairmont State College.  Jimmy was an avid football fan who loved his Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mountaineers and the Huskies. 

 The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home 414 Gaston Ave. Fairmont, Friday 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  The funeral service will be Saturday at 11:00 a.m in the funeral home with Father S.A. Arokiadass officiating.  Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Domicofh.com

Monongah High has always been strong in baseball, along with Fairview with the never-ending supply of Rettons and Fairmont West with Bill Leskovar.

Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta unearthed this photo of the 1973 or 1974 Lions diamond hitters.

They are, from left:

Ward Brent Colvin, Class of 1975.

Gregory Alan Vandetta, Class of 1975.

John R. Huffman, Class of 1974.

Mike D. DeMary, Class of 1974.

Ron Jones, Class of 1974.

There was another pretty fair Monongah High athlete in the Class of 1975: Jay Feltz, quarterback of the 1973 MHS team that won the state football title, just as his father, Coach Jim Feltz, had done in 1952 and 1955 (when Monongah also won its only state baseball crown). Jay was named West Virginia Amateur Athlete of the Year for his feat.

Brent Colvin was at the Class of 1975’s 10-year reunion at the 1985 Monongah High Alumni Reunion.

Gregory Alan nowadays is better known as Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta, married to Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, Monongahfest president. Their son is Greg Vandetta II, married to Janelle.

John Huffman married Goldie Basagic Huffman, Class of 1974, and produced Erik Huffman, married to Katie, and Brooke Huffman Pethtel, married to Adam Pethtel.

John wed a former Monongah High cheerleader who pranced alongside Barbra Eller Aldridge Hanning, Class of 1974; Patty DeMary Evans, Class of 1972; Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, the First Lady of Monongah; and Debbie Basagic Bragg, Class of 1972.

Mike DeMary’s father also was named Mike DeMary and was one of three children of John DeMary, who started DeMarys’ Market in Rivesville, right by the railroad tracks after you drive off U.S. 19 along the West Fork River. John’s cousin is Ann DeMary Eates, Class of 1945, married to Joe Eates, Class of 1945, and living at the foot of Bridge Street before it heads up the hill and out of town.

It couldn’t find any later, adulthood information about Ron Jones. That’s too common a name to nail down, even for a 43-year newspaper editor who is accustomed to investigative journalism. If you know Ron’s whereabouts these days, email John Olesky at jo4wvu@neo.rr.com and I’ll add the information to this blog article.

But Brooke Huffman Pethtel said her father, John Huffman, recognized Ronnie in the photo. Maybe John, Goldie or Brooke can email me with the current whereabouts of Ron Jones.

State Miss USA & Teen USA winners chosen

Lauren Roush, 21, of Morgantown, was crowned Miss West Virginia USA 2017 and Olivia Hutchison, 17, of Huntington, was crowned Miss West Virginia Teen USA 2017.

Both will represent West Virginia in the next round of competitions of National Miss USA and National Miss Teen USA 2017.

The pageants were held at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the WVU Creative Arts Center Oct. 15-16 in Morgantown.

Michael Loss, Class of 1969, son of the late Claire Suzanne Barr Loss, Class of 1948, and Arnold “J.B.” Loss, Class of 1947, has warm memories of his aunt, Gezala Futten Loss, who with husband Frank Loss owned a 100-acre Mill Fall farm that Michael’s parents later purchased.

As in, hot damn, that woman could bake!

Michael tells the story in his email to Rivesville's Jackie Olesky Straight, Class of 1950, Gezala’s niece, who directed Mike to the Holy Cross Cemetery in Fairmont so that Mike could pay his respects to his (and my) Aunt Gezala and Uncle Frank who are buried there:

“Thanks so much for helping me find Aunt Gezala and Uncle Frank. Really needed to pay my respects.  Thought about times we shared together.

“Uncle Frank passed the year ('63) after my brother Elliot.  (I was 12)  Aunt Gezala passed in '71. 

“After Vietnam, I was stationed in Germany at that time.  I loved her so much!  She was always there for me.  She always made me feel welcome and appreciated.  Spent a great deal of time hanging out with her. I was all boy and she went out of her way to amuse and entertain me. 

“As I'm sure you recall, all the Losses (JB, Frank and Bill) raised chickens.  Occasionally, she would lop off a chicken's head and let it run around. (Gross I know, but amazing to a young boy.)  Helped her process hundreds of chickens. 

“Talk about great cooks!  That Lady was the best!  Her bread and cinnamon rolls were soooo good.  Mom asked her for her bread recipe. Aunt Gezala told her she would have to spend the day with her.  Mom never baked as often, but made G's bread.  My girlfriend Susie spent a day with Mom and learned, too.  So Aunt Gezala's bread lives on.  While going through pics and personal effects, Susie found her recipes.  Will try and prepare some of her signature dishes.

“Growing up, I heard this story many times.  As a child, I fell asleep promptly at 8 p.m.  Which meant I was up at 6 a.m., fully rested and ready to go. When I was 6 or 7, Mom got up and saw me sitting on the cellar steps, happily enjoying a cinnamon roll.  She asked me where I got my roll and I told her, ‘Aunt Gezala.’  Mom said, ‘They're still in bed.’  I said, ‘That's OK, I know where she keeps them!’  Aunt Gezala just laughed when Mom told her.  So long as I live, Aunt Gezala will never be forgotten. I will cherish her memory.  Thanks again for your assistance.”

My stories about Aunt Gezala – sister of my mother, Lena Futten Olesky -- involved ice cream. She would use a gauze sieve to separate the cream from fresh milk they got from their Jersey cows. Then she put it into an ice cream maker, the kind where you had to turn the crank by hand (which I did many times). That was the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Ben and Jerry had nothing on Aunt Gezala’s ice cream.

I had to begrudgingly share the ice cream with Frank and Gezala’s children, Jerry Loss, who lives in North Olmsted with wife Elaine, and the late Robert Loss. And with my baby sister, Jackie, who is five years younger than me.

Aunt Gezala first learned to cook in Pellizzano, Italy, where she was born. Aunt Gezala, my mother and their brother, famed Fairmont barber Si Futten, came to America in 1920 with their mother, Maria Fedrigon Futten, to reunite with their father, Severino Futten, who immigrated three years earlier (World War I delayed their reunion on Swisher Hill).

On my father’s side, my Aunt Helen Olesky Kerekes, married to Steve Kerekes, was legendary for baking Christmas cookies. She would mail me a package in Ohio every year. I salivated before I opened the package, like Pavlov’s dog. Helen was the sister of my father, John W. Olesky, Sr., and Frances Olesky Fazio, who married Renzy Fazio and had the Fazio Grocery on Jackson Street in Monongah.

Michael Loss, who was in the Army from 1969-1972, lives with Susie Jett on Harter Hill. David Loss and wife Mary live on the Mill Fall property, which has several houses on it today.

 

Suzi’s father was the famous Dr. James Barr of Worthington, who delivered most of the babies in the town.  Eva Barr was Dr. Barr’s wife. Suzi’s sister, Jeanette Barr Baczuk, Class of 1940, lives in Ashland, Ohio.

Predeceasing Arnold were siblings Lucille Loss Blocker, who lived with husband Richard Blocker in Monongah; Mildred “Jean” Loss Carlot, who with husband Julie ran Carlot’s Grill across the street from Monongah High for decades; Bernard (his widow, Kathryn, lives in Monongah); Don; and Arnold & Suzanne’s son, Elliott Barr Loss.

Their parents were John “J.B.” Loss and Josephine Dieling Loss

Lucille’s children are Barbara Blocker Tennant, in Fairmont; Alan Tenant, Class of 1966, in Elkins; Scott Blocker, Class of 1968, in Clarksburg; and Victoria Blocker Nottingham, Class of 1969, in Worthington.

Rosemary Loss Hartman, Arnold and Lucille’s sister, lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Monongah Mayor Greg Vandetta, Class of 1975, and Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, are celebrating their 40^th wedding anniversary today.

Debbie is Monongahfest president. Greg is the owner of Vandetta Construction. They live in Monongah.

 

They have three children – Jessica, Bethany and Greg II – and six grandchildren.

Ron Manzo is Debbie’s brother.

After graduating from Monongah High, Greg began working at the Fairmont Kitchen Center. In 1987, he started Vandetta Construction.

Greg enjoys family, camping at Big Bear, being outdoors, attending Little League games, soccer matches and West Virginia University home football games.

He also keeps an eye out for the projected opening of the Dollar story in Monongah at Camden Avenue (U.S. 19) and Walnut Street. He’s been waiting several years for that to happen. His Honor reports that “the dirt should be leaving Monongah” this week. Weather permitting, the Dollar store should be built in 45 days. We can only hope.

Meanwhile, kudos and felicitations on your 40^th wedding anniversary, Greg and Debbie!

Phyllis Pulice passes away

Phyllis Marie Linville Pulice, former wife of Anthony Pulice, Jr., Class of 1945, passed away Friday, October 14. She lived in Fairmont.

Their children are Toni Marie Pulice Pill of Fairmont, Judith Ann Pulice Kraley of Morgantown and the late Larry Paul Pulice.

Antony, Jr., married to Barbara Pulice, also is the father of Jesse James Pulice, married to Chelsie Colisino Pulice, Mark Pulice and Jamie L. Pulice.

Phyllis went to Mannington High and was the daughter of the late James Linville and Naomi Wells Linville.

Phyllis’ obituary:

Phyllis Marie Pulice, age 83 of Fairmont, WV, passed away on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Fairmont Health and Rehab Center. She was born June 19, 1933, in Mannington, WV, the daughter of the late James Linville and Naomi Wells Linville.

She is survived by two daughters, Toni Marie (Rick) Pill of Fairmont and Judith Ann (Mike) Kraley of Morgantown; 4 grandchildren, Angela Marie (Doug) Meissner of FL, Christopher Wayne (Ali) Gross of Fairmont, Mariah Dawn (Tony) Cunningham of Farmington, and Richard Kent Pill III of Fairmont; 5 great-grandchildren, Aidan Christopher Gross, Auston Douglas Meissner, Sophia Grace Meissner, Piper Marie Meissner and Lillian Sue Cunningham; several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by a son, Larry Paul Pulice; a step-brother, Lawrence Linville; and a sister, Geraldine (Jack) Starsick.

Phyllis was born and raised in Mannington. She graduated from Mannington High School Class of 1950 and then from the St. Mary’s School of Nursing. She was employed for many years at Fairmont General Hospital as a Registered Nurse on the Medical Surgery Floor until her retirement. She enjoyed BINGO, reading, working puzzles, and spending time with family.

Family and friends may call at Masters Funeral Home, Mannington, WV on Monday, October 17, 2016 between 1-7pm. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in the funeral home beginning at 10am. Burial will follow at the Mannington Memorial Park Cemetery. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.mastersfuneralhomewv.com .

Monongah will get EIGHT more Christmas lights

Wow!

Susan Staron Sanders, Class of 1971, surpassed even her ambitious goal for adding Christmas street lights in Monongah.

Susan’s Lights Brigade hoped to raise $3,500 to add five lights to the seven that White Hall donated for the 2015 light-up of the town. But there will be EIGHT more lights added for a total of 15. That should make Monongah visible from the Space Station for the holidays.

Susan wrote:

“Letting you know the lights are ordered and we are getting 8. We ordered 5. Greg (Vandetta) our Mayor ordered 1 for the town. Betty Vandetta ordered 1 for her late husband Jim who was once our wonderful Mayor. Sheila Mills ordered 1 for the love of her life, Warren Sloan, who we all miss and will never forget how he loved Christmas and children.

“No one is as happy as I am to see my dream come true. Once again, I thank you all for your donations. Please keep them coming. I thank my Angels and Elves for their hard work. The lights should be here in about 4 weeks.

“Yeah!!!!!”

There’s just no stopping the Christmas angel of Thomas Street.

James Leon Vandetta, married to 1950 Fairview High grad Betty Walls Vandetta, was born in 1925 and passed away in 2002. He served his country in the military.

Sheila Mills, Warren Sloan’s companion for 17 years, is one of the lieutenants for Susan’s Lights Brigade.

Monongah councilman and former police chief Warren, who with brother Dave Sloan originated the Christmas in Monongah Toy Giveaway which began as “Robin Hood was here,” passed away in May.

He also pushed for a skate park to be built on the former Monongah High property for the town’s children, raising the first $5,000 himself.

The Navy veteran’s parents were Franklin "Bud" and Vivian R. Marsh Sloan.

Greg, Class of 1975, is married to Monongahfest president Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973.