Follansbee Dinner Honors Several Who Have Shaped Their Community
Warren Scott Trending
Several individuals honored at this year's Follansbee Community Days dinner had a strong impact on others, but each noted the positive influence the city has had on them.
Among them was Victor Ceglie Jr., who served as guest speaker for the event, held Wednesday at St. Francis Centre.
A Follansbee native, Ceglie had a 40-year career in firefighting in which he served Washington, D.C., area fire and emergency medical departments and served as incident commander for many large-scale emergency responses, including the Pentagon following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and oversaw firefighting units on hand for five presidential inaugurations.
Ceglie told attendees the influence of his parents and all mothers and fathers in the community while he was growing up in Follansbee prepared him for the challenges he faced later in his life.
"The biggest influence was the moms," including his mother, Mimi and aunt, Francine Lewis, because while caring for the city's children, they also used discipline when needed and taught him and other youth to persevere in difficult times.
"What they taught us was invaluable to succeed," said Ceglie.
He said from his father, Victor Sr., and other fathers he learned the importance of working hard, "to do what's necessary to provide for your family."
Also honored were Jim Oliveto, president of Alco Furniture and Appliances, who was presented the Lou Holtz Silver Spoon Award; Mary Jo Guidi, former regional representative for U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., who was presented the Anthony Paesano Making a Difference Award; John Cox, who was presented the Major Benjamin Follansbee Award, named for a descendant of the Follansbee brothers who founded the steel mill from which the city sprung; Frank, Susan, Justin and Brian Slanchik, whom Velegol called "the first family of Follansbee Community Days" for their regular support and attendance at the annual festival; and Brenda Casey, owner of the Brenda Casey Dance Center, whose members are regular participants in the Community Days parade as well as other local events.