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Couple marries in Charleroi three decades after first meeting

3 min read
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Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Judge Jesse Cramer marries Tammy Tessi and Tony Pesognelli during a ceremony Saturday in Charleroi.

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Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Tony Pesognelli slips a ring on the finger of soon-to-be-wife Tammy Tessi during their wedding ceremony at Riverside Place.

For three decades, Tammy Tessi and Tony Pesognelli have been collecting memories together.

They’ve swum at the Monessen Elks, took a river cruise on the Gateway Clipper and cheered on the Buccos during Pittsburgh Pirates games.

On Independence Day, Tony got down on one knee and asked Tammy to be his wife as they watched fireworks from the Monongahela Aquatorium.

The newest addition to their cache of memories occurred Saturday, when the couple were married on the 30th anniversary of the first day they met.

“We had dinner. We danced,” said Tammy of her wedding day. “I had a good time.”

Tammy is employed by Life’s Work, a nonprofit that provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities, and Tony attends Riverside Horizons, a Community Participation facility that serves people with intellectual disabilities.

The many friends in their life contributed to the wedding-day festivities.

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Newlyweds Tammy and Tony Pesognelli walk as friends and family blow bubbles to celebrate their marriage Saturday.

Mary Kay Smalich-Evans, a residential program worker, served as maid of honor. John Fiorillo, supervisor of developmental services for Diversified Human Services, an affiliate of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc., gave away the bride, and Brian Ogletree, also supervisor of developmental services for Diversified Human Services, acted as best man. Julie Evans, a site manager who will monitors the couple’s new home, planned the event, down to the navy and white decorations and attire.

“She looked very pretty,” said Tony of his new wife, who wore a navy blue pants suit for the festivities, which were held at Riverside Place senior center, Charleroi.

After a ceremony conducted by Judge Jesse Cramer, the couple danced to Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.” About 70 guests blew bubbles, which the couple walked through, then dined on entrees, cookies and cake made by Riverside Horizons consumers and residents of other community living arrangement homes.

Even before the wedding, friends were helping the couple along.

Because neither Tammy nor Tony drives, Mona Gutierrez, director of developmental services for Diversified Human Services, would drive Tony to see Tammy and take them out on dates.

The couple is busy making their new home together in Donora, where they will have 24-hour supervision, but will be independent. Evans will act as their site monitor.

Gutierrez said in a news release that the staff “will do all they can to make it feel it’s their house, not our house.”

Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter

Tammy Pesognelli celebrates her marriage to Tony Pesognelli with Tony’s brother-in-law, Dr. Phillip Jeanmenne of York.

“I hope it lives up to their expectations and I hope we can help them live as a married couple every way we can,” she said.

Tony grew up in Charleroi, where he played football for the Cougars and graduated in 1991.

Tammy is a 1977 graduate of Ringgold High School.

In addition to their wedding rings, Tony gave his bride a “T” pendant as a gift, which she wears around her neck.

The couple is planning a bus trip to Atlantic City, N.J., for their honeymoon.

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