Family, friends mourn death of former New Kensington Councilman John Regoli Jr.
Former New Kensington Councilman John W. Regoli Jr., 54, died early Wednesday in Allegheny General Hospital after a long battle with brain cancer.
"My brother loved his family more than anything, but he loved his community just as much," said David Regoli.
John Regoli Jr. served 15 consecutive years on New Kensington Council, including as a public safety director, before he resigned for health reasons in January 2017.
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While on council, Regoli's accomplishments included the establishment of the Westmoreland County Community College branch campus in downtown New Kensington and maintaining city services without a tax increase for 10 years.
He tried to help the city deal with cleaning up decades of blight.
Mayor Tom Guzzo was always impressed by Regoli's passion for the city and its residents — all of its residents.
As an example, he remembered Regoli in 2012 drove two city residents, a couple in their 90s who never missed an election, to obtain photo identification for voting.
"He looked out for people who didn't have a voice," he said.
In addition to his brother, Regoli is survived by his wife, Marla; son, Nico; daughter, Gianna; and his parents, former county commissioner and state Sen. John Regoli and Dolly Regoli.
Regoli's death comes only about five months after the accidental death of his sister, longtime Burrell School District middle school teacher Sharon Regoli Ciferno , 50, of Lower Burrell, who died of injuries she suffered in an accidental fall.
Ciferno died after Regoli had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
"It was just unthinkable that we were taking care of John and, all of a sudden, we had to focus on Sharon," David Regoli said.
People assumed that it would be David who would be the rock to lead the family through both tragedies.
But circumstances would not allow that.
"My dad became the boulder to all of us and kept us going," David Regoli said.
"After we buried my sister, my dad especially focused his energy on being Johnny's main caregiver and being with him every single day," he said.
John Regoli Sr., 79, said, "John loved his family, friends and life. This past year, he was a true warrior who didn't give up. "We feel truly blessed to have the time we did have with him.
"A consolation is that Johnny is united with his sister in heaven."
He added that he and his wife are grateful to all of the support from the community, family and friends.
Apparently, strength and optimism are generational for the Regoli family.
Just this past weekend, John Regoli Jr. was on the phone lining up a job for when he recovered from brain cancer, according to his brother.
"He fought very hard and remained positive up until and through Sunday," David Regoli said.
Longtime friend Ben Beal, 53, of Sewickley said Regoli was remarkable among friends.
"Everybody goes through trials and tribulations, but John wouldn't just be the first one to call, he would follow up," Beal said.
"He was a better friend to his friends than they were to him," he said.
Giunta-Bertucci Funeral Home in Arnold is handling funeral arrangements. Public visitation is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Mourners attending the funeral Mass are to meet at 10 a.m. Monday at Mount St. Peter Church in New Kensington. Interment will be in Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell.
Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-226-4691, mthomas@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MaThomas_Trib.
