For nearly 40 years, John Lignelli served his beloved Donora as mayor and a councilman.

On Thursday, the retired mayor known affectionately as “Chummy” got his due.

At a midday ceremony at the Residence at Hilltop in Carroll, Community Bank officials handed Lignelli the keys and the deed to the former First Federal Savings Bank building in Donora.

Thursday evening, the library board renamed the Donora Public Library in Lignelli's honor.

“This is a day to honor leadership and honor Chummy's tenacity,” said Pat O'Brien, Community Bank senior executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We honor Chummy for his leadership and many years of dedicated service to Donora.”

As he spoke, O'Brien handed Lignelli the keys and deed.

“I present this to you based on – what has it been two years, that you've been after me for this – to benefit the borough moving into the future,” O'Brien said.

O'Brien said Lignelli approached him about acquiring the building shortly after First Federal Savings Bank closed its Donora branch office at 600 Meldon Ave. in October 2012.

In April, CB Financial Services Inc., the Carmichaels-based holding company for Community Bank, and FedFirst Financial Corp., the holding company for Monessen-based First Federal Savings Bank, announced they would merge under the Community Bank name. The first day of operations was Nov. 3.

“On behalf of borough council, Mayor (Don) Pavelko and all of the citizens of Donora, I personally want to offer a sincere thank you to Community Bank – formerly known as First Federal of Monessen – for their most generous donation of their bank building to the Borough of Donora,” Lignelli said.

“You have been a part of our community for many years, and our relationship has truly been special. Please take great satisfaction knowing that this building will be put to good use by our (borough) officials. Again, thank you and God bless you.”

New name

The Donora Public Library was housed in the community center for many years.

But by the mid-1980s, water was dripping into the library from apartments above it.

“We were in dire need of a new facility,” library board treasurer Larry Mauro said.

The board set its sights on a borough-owned lot at 510 Meldon Ave. and approached council.

“Of all of the council members, the only one who spoke up in favor of the library was Mr. Lignelli,” Mauro said. “He was our first supporter.”

Councilwoman Marie Trozzo remembered Lignelli telling council, “We're going to have a new library even if I have to mortgage my own home.”

“When I said, ‘We're going to build a new library, they thought I was crazy,'” Lignelli added.

As community support slowly grew, Lignelli led the effort.

At his swearing in as mayor in 1994, Lignelli vowed that a new Donora Public Library would become a reality during his term.

“With his help – and he was the main impetus – we were able to raise close to $200,000 locally toward our project,” Mauro said. “He certainly made it happen at that time.”

With state funding, more than $500,000 was raised and the library opened in 1995.

Lignelli's support of the library has continued. He is not only a board member, but a major donor. Each year, he has sold cashews to support the facility.

At a surprise ceremony Thursday, Lignelli learned his name would be attached to the library.

Mauro said the library “exists largely because of Lignelli's love for the Borough of Donora and his dedication to the people of Donora.”

“It is with the utmost respect and humility that we, fellow members of the Donora Public Library Board of Directors, have chosen to honor Mr. Lignelli for his longterm commitment and dedication to the Donora Public Library by renaming our facility The Donora Public Library, John Lignelli Building,” Mauro continued.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---