Larry Carra was working as a teacher in Ohio when a family emergency forced him to return to Clairton to temporarily help run the family business. More than 30 years later, he’s still here. Carra, now owner of the Clairton Sport Shop, will be honored March 6 by the Clairton Chamber of Commerce as its 2002 Citizen of the Year at the Georgetown Centre, Route 51, Pleasant Hills. “Larry has always been active, as far back as I can remember, in everything from A to Z,” city Manager Ralph Imbrogno said. Carra, 63, graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill, then went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh before pursuing a master’s degree in education at Kent State University. Carra taught physical education at Brecksville Elementary School in Ohio before becoming the chairman of the physical education and recreation department at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. When his father-in-law, the owner of the sports shop died in 1970, Carra and his wife, Nancy, came to Clairton to sell the business. Instead they ended up running the shop and raising their children, Nina, Amy and Tony in the community. We’ve enjoyed our life here in Clairton,” Carra said. Carra has been involved in numerous community organizations, from the Clairton Lions Club to American Legion. And he’s been an active volunteer in the Clairton School District, announcing football games and reading to elementary students. Further, with the Clairton Recreation Board, Carra started the soccer program and initiated and sponsored a girls’ softball program. He currently coaches his granddaughter’s basketball team. “You always hear the cliche about giving you the shirt off his back,” Imbrogno said. “That’s Larry.” Ken Barna, city recreation director, agrees. “If we had 30 businesses like the Clairton Sport Shop in downtown Clairton, people would be coming to Clairton to shop again,” Barna said. For reservations Reservations can be made at the Regional Business Alliance, management office for the Clairton Chamber of Commerce only, by calling Sally Shar at (412) 678-2450 or by writing to the chamber at 3001 Jacks Run Road, White Oak, PA 15131-2538. The cost for dinner is $27. Deadline for reservations is Feb. 28.

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