May 15, 2002 3 min read

In little more than a week’s time Fayette County has lost four people who spent many years of their lives in public service. It is fitting at times such as these to reflect on the lives of people like Bessie Sembower, William Stoviak, Bill Hughes and Francis Russo, acknowledge what they did for their communities. Not every decision they made was popular. Nor was everyone their friend. You can’t expect to be in public life without winning foes as well. But they made the best use of their talents in attempting to better their lives, those of their families and those of their neighbors and friends.

– Francis X. Russo at the age of 80 died on May 3. Russo spent a lifetime serving Perryopolis. He served on the Fraizer School Board, holding the post of president and most recently won election to Perryopolis Borough Council. Russo’s list of accomplishments span his life, with extensive involvement in religious and community organization. He remained active, serving as vice president of the Golden Agers and delivering Meals on Wheels.

– Bill Hughes was just 54 years old when a heart attack claimed his life on May 5. Hughes had recently moved to Tyrone after taking a job as manager for Antis Township. But it was Connellsville that launched Hughes into public service. He held the elected office on city council, appointed offices on the municipal and parking authority boards and before his move was the city clerk. He also spent a lifetime of service in community, church and youth groups.

– William Stoviak lived the life of a public servant for most of this 82 years. As a young man he served in the U.S. Army, landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D Day. He was among the wounded. But that didn’t stop Stoviak from years of service in uniform as a member of the Uniontown Police Department. Even after retirement following 34 years on the job, Stoviak stayed for another 13 years dispatching police calls until 911 made that job obsolete. Stoviak could always be counted on for remaining upbeat and courteous with the public. He died May 10.

– Bessie Sembower was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church, Connellsville, the Connellsville Historical Society and the Breakneck Chapter of the Fayette County Sportsmens League. But she will be best remembered for the decade of service she gave to the Connellsville Area School Board where she faced tough decisions and tougher opponents in a no nonsense, straightforward manner. She also died on Friday, May 10 at the age of 74.

We extend our sympathies to their families and the communities that feel their loss.