Rosedale Beach Club officials have created an award in memory of a longtime public servant.
The Tony DeLuca Community Impact Award was announced this month.
It grants a free family membership to the Verona pool and swim club to “a person who dedicates their time to serving the community without seeking recognition,” according to the announcement on the club’s Facebook page.
The award is in recognition of the impact the late state Rep. Tony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, made in the municipality and neighboring communities.
DeLuca died on Oct. 9, 2022, at home after a brief battle with lymphoma. He was 85.
DeLuca represented the 32nd Legislative District for 39 years. The district includes Penn Hills, Verona, the majority of Plum Borough and Oakmont.
He was a Penn Hills resident for more than 60 years and got his start in politics serving on the Penn Hills Government Study Commission that helped draft the municipality’s Home Rule Charter.
“Tony and Rosedale (Beach Club) shared values,” club board member Daryl Saltzman said. “He was our neighbor, but he was also one of our best friends. He saw the value in us, and we saw the value in him as a great neighbor and friend.
“That always coalesced each summer and into the fall when we started doing our festivals. It was a natural relationship that blossomed over the years.”
The club usually awards a free membership to someone in need, experiences an emergency or death in the family.
“Since we do that anyway, we were thinking something different this time,” Saltzman said of giving away a membership. “We’re looking for someone that has the qualities that (Tony) possessed and the shared value that we’ve had at the pool since 1926.”
A family membership includes two adults and their children living in the same house.
Nominations are being sought for the inaugural awardee. Deadline for submissions is May 15.
Letters can be sent to Rosedale Beach Club, 5401 Third St., Verona, PA 15147.
Club co-treasurer and board member emeritus Mary Chirdon said nominations should recognize those who do continuous service and not for a single act. The acts themselves do not have to be of a major significance.
“They’re not seeking recognition for themselves,” Chirdon said of the nominees. “They’re just doing it to help others. It could be something like if they’re helping the elderly neighbors on a weekly basis to take their groceries, or making sure in the winter time that their sidewalk is shoveled. They serve others and are making a difference in someone else’s life.”
Club officials and DeLuca family members will review nominations and pick the winner, who is expected to be announced sometime during Memorial Day weekend.
DeLuca’s daughter, Michele Joyce, said she shed tears of joy when hearing about the club’s plans to honor her late father.
“I know my dad would be honored and humbled by this award in his name,” Joyce said. “My family was extremely proud of my father, and I know how involved he was with the community. They asked me if we would be apart of it and I welcomed it with open arms. I was born and raised in Rosedale.”
The family lived near the pool along Homestead Road and then moved a few streets down to Barbara Drive.
“My mom (Connie) and dad loved sitting on the porch and hearing life at the pool,” Joyce said. “That meant the community was vibrant.”
The pool will open for its 97th season on May 27.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .