Mayor dies at age 95
Longtime Donora mayor John “Chummy” Lignelli died Thursday evening. He was 95.
A former steelworker, Lignelli championed local causes, including construction of a new library, which was later named in his honor.
When the borough’s only police cruiser broke down, Lignelli sold raffle tickets to purchase a new one.
“When he thought something was good for the community, he fought and fought to make sure it was funded. It’s hard to fault a man that was dedicated like that,” said current Mayor Donald Pavelko, a former councilman who was appointed to the post when Lignelli retired.
Washington County Commission Chairman Larry Maggi knew Lignelli for more than 25 years, having worked with him on various projects during Lignelli’s tenure as chairman of the Washington County Housing Authority.
“He would … shake any tree for … funding for projects for Donora. He truly loved Donora and the Valley,” said Maggi. “He was just a real product of the Valley. He was a bare-knuckle politician who knew how to get things done.”
In 2013, Lignelli was re-elected to his sixth term as mayor after having been involved in local politics for four decades, serving for many years as council president.
One of the oldest mayors in Pennsylvania, Lignelli was 93 when he stepped down in September 2014 after moving to an assisted living facility in a neighboring municipality.
Into his 90s, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels and transported people with special needs to services in Charleroi.
“Chummy was everywhere all the time. He was Mr. Donora,” Pavelko said. “In a lifetime, you come across a limited number of people you can say they were a good person. All I can say is, Chummy was a good man.”
State Rep. Pete Daley, who is retiring after 34 years in the 49th Legislative District seat, called Lignelli an enigma who tirelessly fought for his community.
“I’ve never seen anybody with the ferocity he had when approaching issues. In a larger sense, he was the mayor of the Mon Valley,” Daley said. “I didn’t agree with him politically many times, but I admired him.”
Like Daley, Pavelko said he disagreed with Lignelli often, but always respected him.
“I probably argued with Chummy more than anybody ever disagreed on a number of issues. But one thing I can say about Chummy, he never held it against you,” Pavelko said. “We would argue on a Thursday night, and I thought he was going to come across the table at me. By Saturday, we’d be working together on some fundraiser. He disagreed, but he was never disagreeable.”
Maggi said Lignelli was a nice guy who enjoyed life.
“We all, as elected officials, are always trying to get support. You were not always sure who Chummy was supporting,” said Maggi with a laugh. “He was a unique individual who did a great job for Donora and the Valley.”