Patriotic program singles out 15 folks who make a difference in Latrobe
 Patriotic program singles out 15 folks who make difference in Latrobe
By Liz Zemba
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
More than a dozen individuals were recognized on Sunday during the Patriotic Interfaith Program at Latrobe Elementary School as part of the city's annual Fourth of July celebration.
Mary Stynchula, program coordinator, said the honorees, all residents or natives of Latrobe, were selected for making a difference in the community.
"The people we chose tonight have made a difference," Stynchula said at the outset of the annual program, noting this year's theme was "one of the hardest things I've ever chose" for the program.
"There are many people in town I would have chosen, but we don't have time for all of them," said Stynchula, noting there were potentially hundreds of individuals from whom to choose.
Among those honored were Carl Mattioli and Natalie Carbone Mangini.
Mattioli is president of the Latrobe Area Historical Society. He could not attend the service yesterday, but his nephew Bob Colaianne Jr. and granddaughter Laurel Busony spoke on his behalf.
Colaianne said his uncle intended to spend his retirement pursuing such interests as golfing, but instead found himself aiding community endeavors. One of the first projects he undertook, Colaianne said, was to help put together a slide show, "First Ward Memories." He volunteered for the project at the urging of Ned Nakles, he added.
Once that project was completed, Nakles persuaded Mattioli to become involved with the historical society after jokingly advising him that he "would be better off as the manager of the historical society than to go out on the golf course and lose all your golf balls," Colaianne said.
In addition to the historical society, Mattioli maintains Latrobe Hospital's archives and serves as chairman of the Latrobe Class of 1943, according to Colaianne.
Busony said her grandfather regretted not being able to attend the service.
"He never misses a Latrobe event," Busony said. "It's obvious he's a hero here in Latrobe, just like he's a hero to me."
Mangini was recognized as the first woman to be hired as a nuclear scientist at Westinghouse's Bettis Atomic Power Division. She helped develop the first atomic submarine, the Nautilus, and the nuclear power plant in Shippingport.
"She never spoke much about her accomplishments," said Mangini's daughter, Natalie Stefanick. "Little did we know a world-famous scientist was packing our lunches."
Mangini said she landed an interview for the position only because the hiring managers read her name as "Natale" instead of "Natalie." They thought they had called in a man for the interview, she said.
"Their jaws dropped, and they said, 'What do we do? She's a girl,'" Mangini said.
She was granted the interview, she recalled, then was offered the job two days later.
"I didn't set out to be a pioneer, a woman working in a man's job," Mangini said. "But because I followed my dreams ... I did make a difference."
Others recognized were:
• Bill Hamilton Jr., a former councilman who served on the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce and is a life member of the fire department;
• Arnold Palmer, professional golfer and contributor to various city programs;
• Jim O'Konak, secretary and executive director of the McFeely-Rogers Foundation;
• Phyl Dymond, president of the chamber of commerce;
• Diana Kreiling, former manager of community relations at Latrobe Hospital;
• Laura Yuhaniak, coordinator of Soldiers Angels;
• Fred Rogers, creator of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood;
• John Wandrisco, originator of the city's Mini Gardens and its community vegetable gardens;
• Ruth Tolbert, president of the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP;
• Barbara Nakles, credited with involvement in numerous organizations;
• Warren Marckioni, former mayor who presided over the city's sesquicentennial celebration;
• Pascal Spino, physician; and
• Robert Mazero, physician.
Read more: Patriotic program singles out 15 folks who make difference in Latrobe - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/westmoreland/s_744119.html#ixzz1Qrh1Zj6k
Liz Zemba is a Tribune-Review staff writer and can be reached at 412-601-2166 or via e-mail.
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