Lower Burrell remembers, honors late councilman, judge, David A. Regoli with bench at city hall

To the Regolis, Lower Burrell and New Kensington are like an extended family.

And that community provided a standing-room-only crowd in Lower Burrell Council chambers Monday, as the city unveiled a bench in honor and memory of David Regoli, a late councilman, judge and, to many, a friend.

“To be recognized with something that’s going to be in this (city hall), it’s very remarkable and very much appreciated,” said Antonio Regoli, David’s son.

David Regoli was a former Lower Burrell councilman. During his tenure, he served as director of accounts and finance. In 2014, Gov. Tom Corbett appointed him to serve as a Westmoreland County judge. He also was well-respected in the Allegheny and Westmoreland law communities.

David Regoli’s wife, Anne, and Antonio said they were taken aback when they learned of the bench dedication. Antonio remarked that his father put all of his efforts into public service, the community and their family.

“It’s something I’ll be able to take my kid to see one day,” Antonio said.

Antonio recalled his father showing him things named after state Sen. John Regoli, David’s father, and Antonio’s grandfather. John Regoli also served as a Westmoreland commissioner.

“He loved being on council,” Anne Regoli said. “He enjoyed coming to meetings and everyone on it.”

Frank Trozzi, a former councilman and longtime friend, recalled that Regoli encouraged him to run for city council. They served as councilmen for more than a decade and became best friends, Trozzi said.

“He’s a very easy person to get to know, to get to like,” Trozzi said. “He would do anything for anybody.

“He would go the extra mile to be kind and do things for people.”

Mayor John Andrejcik — a retired official court reporter in Allegheny County — said that having worked with and crossed paths with thousands of attorneys, he could think of no one person more befitting of the bench dedication than Regoli.

“Not only did I have the pleasure of being in the courtroom with David, but I was lucky enough to also call him a friend,” Andrejcik said. “He was a man of very high esteem and integrity.”

Andrejcik and Councilman Chris Fabry commended David Regoli’s character and his impact on the community.

“Throughout his tenure as a councilperson, he tirelessly worked to improve the lives of our residents, consistently placing the needs of others before his own,” Fabry said. “He demonstrated unwavering dedication, passion and a genuine desire to make our city a better place for all.”

Fabry said the bench dedication celebrates Regoli’s accomplishments and ensures his spirit lives on.

“This bench symbolizes his unwavering dedication to service and reminds us all of the importance of selfless giving,” Fabry said. “It is a place where people can sit, reflect and draw inspiration from his exemplary life.”

The bench is inside Lower Burrell’s city hall. An inscription on the bench reads: “In loving memory of the Honorable David A. Regoli, Esq., dedicated councilman, devoted family man, true friend to all.”

“Let us remember David not only for his public service but also for the incredible human being he was,” Fabry said. “Let us carry forward his spirit of compassion, dedication and unwavering commitment to community service. May this bench be a lasting tribute to his memory and a testament to the difference one individual can make in the lives of many.”