Parade honors former Bethel Park mayor’s 90th birthday
Joining Reno Virgili in watching the parade are, from left, Bethel Park Mayor Jack Allen, District Judge Ronald Arnoni and Reno's great-granddaughter Zirafina Thomas.
Rhonda Faccenda of the Nail Room on South Park Road adds something special to the proceedings.
Zirafina Thomas, Reno Virgili's great-granddaughter, checks out the parade while holding a Sarris candy bars with a special wrapper commemorating Reno's birthday.
What's a parade without antique cars.
Marlene Virgili Thomas, Reno's daughter, captures video for posterity.
Well-wishes pass Reno Virgili's house to extend greetings.
Reno Virgili observes the parade from his porch.
If it’s true that you’re only as young as you feel, look no further than Reno Virgili.
The former Bethel Park mayor, who turned 90 this month, says he feels no different today than when he was in his 50s.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Reno Virgili waves at the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company truck leading the parade.
And anyone who greets the now-nonagenarian won’t have trouble being convinced he means what he asserts, as he’s in fine physical shape and still stands straighter than many men decades his junior.
For his birthday, he was greeted by a procession of well-wishers who cruised along his street for a socially distanced celebration led by members of the Bethel Park Fire Company and their vehicles. His street sounded with horns honking and people cheering as he joined members of his family – quite a few great-grandchildren were among them – and some of his friends in watching and waving from his front porch.
Born May 21, 1930, Virgili served that same fire company for 67 years, serving in capacities that included 14 years as chief and three years as marshal. His business, Virgili Beer Distributors on South Park Road in Bethel Park, celebrated its 75th anniversary May 8.
His other business ventures included real estate, investments, and buying and selling fire engines. He has been a longtime member of the local Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks lodge and Lions Club, plus the Bethel Park Democratic Committee, for which he served as president for 30 years.
He was elected mayor for a term that started in 1982, and he served until 1994.
Despite the full slate of activities, he found time to excel as a musician, traveling the country to share his talent. In fact, he’s eager to start playing his accordion for others again.
And you can bet that there are plenty of folks who are eager to hear him again.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Helping Reno Virgili celebrate his 90th birthday are family members, from left, grandson Joshua Peterson, great-grandson Lukah Peterson, great-granddaughter Kalee Moorhead, daughter Mary Lou Virgili Kearns, great-granddaughter Zirafina Thomas, daughter Marlene Virgili Thomas, great-granddaughter Oriana Thomas and great-grandson Connor Moorhead.