Bench with names of George Jakelsky, Sandy Fillippini and Bill Poch is dedicated
By Mary Ellen Day, Special to the News
Sitting under a tree talking and relaxing was a favorite pastime of three prominent Manville residents who contributed their life for the betterment of others.
George Jakelsky, Sandy Filippini and Bill Poch all were part of the Manville Public Library board of trustees for many years.
Tuesday night, the library dedicated a bench in a grassy area at the library to honor the trio.
Library advisory board member Sandy Scrape spoke briefly before the dedication.
”We are here to honor three very special men for their service to our library,” she said. “The library advisory board has been planning this event for many, many years.”
She added, “Whenever we had outdoor concerts, this is where they sat. This is why we put the bench where it is. This was something we thought we needed for the library and that can always be used. This was something we felt we wanted to do for the men.”
All three men had long terms of service on the board of trustees. Mr. Poch served as president and was with the library for 18 years, Mr. Jakelsky was vice president for nine years and Mr. Filippini, treasurer, for 51 years.
Mayor Angelo Corradino said the honor was not just for their work on the library board, “but the job they have done for the Borough of Manville throughout their lives.”
He said, “Every one of them has contributed to this municipality. I thank their families for allowing them to serve the time that they did. Along with you, we miss them.”
The stone bench, with all three names inscribed, was unveiled by Mr. Filippini’s two grandsons, Todd and David Peterson.
Family members were present and were thankful for the honor of their loved ones.
Bill Poch Jr. said, “It is an honor to be here with mom. For what he did for the library board, he had a real passion for it. Dad didn’t really like to read books, but he loved to read the newspaper cover to cover — two of them every morning. He was very instrumental in getting computers, but he never liked doing things on the computer. He always watched mom use it. It was kind of ironic that he was instrumental in getting all that going.”
His mother, Margaret Poch, said, “He would have been really honored with tonight. He would have never expected his name to be on something because he did something. I am so proud, but I wish he was here.”
Jill Filippini Peterson, one of Mr. Filippini’s three daughters, was present with her sister, Terry, and Ms. Peterson’s husband, Todd, and sons.
”Our family is so grateful that the library is recognizing the years of service that our dad gave to the library board,” she said. “He loved this community, he loved this library, and he would be very proud. They were good decent people from a generation that had devotion to their neighbors and the people around them.”
Many neighbors and friends also attended the dedication.
Mr. Jakelsky’s daughter, Allison, was overwhelmed and totally grateful.
”We are very, very honored,” she said.
His wife, Jean Jakelsky, said, “For George, it was not fanfare. It was do the job and get out of there. That was how he operates, and I am sure he is watching.”
Kulinski’s Memorials and Landview Landscaping of Manville provided its services for the bench and landscaping, respectively.