Bethel Park Lions Club celebrates 75 years
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Past club presidents, from left: Carl Battistone, Dave Lovejoy, Bob McKnight, Jay Wells, Judy Willison, Jim Willison, Jack Boyle and Bob Pflueger
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
A festive cake marks the occasion.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Melvin Jones Fellows, from left: Carl Battistone, Bill Raymer, Ruth Battistone, Jay Wells, Jim Willison, Jack Boyle and Dominick Battistone
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Jay Wells, left, and Danielle Gosnell welcome Geoffrey Temple, governor of Lions District 14-B.
You’ll remember from history class that Grover Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms as U.S. president.
With the Bethel Park Lions Club, Jim Willison did him one better.
“Mostly what prompted me was I really liked the individuals who were involved in the club,” he said about his three times at the helm, “and the idea of serving the community and working with people locally.”
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Danielle Gosnell, 2017-18 Bethel Park Lions Club president, greets three-time past president Jim Willison during the celebration of the club’s 75th anniversary.
Willison was among the past presidents – his wife, Judy, included – to be honored as the club celebrated 75 years of community service during its annual holiday party Dec. 12 at Crowne Plaza South.
Danielle Gosnell, the 2017-18 president, also acknowledged club members who are Melvin Jones Fellows, the award named after the Lions founder that represents the highest form of recognition and embodies humanitarian ideas consistent with the nature and purpose of the international organization.
She presented honorees with gifts and letters of appreciation, saying in part:
“You have done remarkable work. While having such a busy schedule, it is really commendable that you managed to complete so much for the club. I also feel proud to be linked with you in the process. I am very happy to be a part of this organization and feel a great sense of achievement. Your accomplishments are an inspiration for everyone. Keep up with your hard work and community leadership. It will never go unnoticed!”
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Dr. Jay Wells, the club’s longest-serving member, wears his festive jacket to each year’s holiday celebration.
Jim Willison, a retired Bethel Park teacher and administrator, served as president from 1982-83, 2004-05 and 2015-16. He has been with the club since 1977, surpassed in longevity by Dr. Jay Wells, a former state representative with 45 years of membership.
“When I joined,” Willison said, “I was in my early 30s, and all the members seemed so much older. But it was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them and become involved. Most of them were local community leaders or businessmen, so it seemed like a special privilege to be involved with them. And later on, I was so glad I had gotten to know so many of them.”
He also is a Melvin Jones Fellow, along with Wells and current members Carl Battistone, Ruth Battistone, Dominick Battistone, Jack Boyle, Bob Pflueger and Bill Raymer.
Carl Battistone was club president in 1985-86 and went on to serve as a director of the International Association of Lions Clubs from 1998-2000. Pflueger went the Grover Cleveland route and was president for two terms, 2006-07 and 2013-14.
Other past presidents honored were Wells, 1991-92; Bob McKnight, 2005-06; Jack Boyle, 2009-10; Judy Willison, 2012-13; and Dave Lovejoy, 2016-17.
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Danielle Gosnell welcomes fellow Bethel Park Lions Club members.
Lovejoy’s father, Malcolm, served as governor of Lions District 14-B from 1958-59 as the first of five Bethel Park members to advance to the top position of regional leadership.
“I’ve been around this my entire life,” Dave Lovejoy said.
The current governor, Geoffrey Temple of Pleasant Hills, attended the celebration and acknowledged Bethel Park as the largest community-based club in the district, which encompasses Allegheny County.