[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E202-E203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CHARLES ADONIZIO, JR. HONORED POSTHUMOUSLY BY PITTSTON SUNDAY DISPATCH

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                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw the attention of my 
colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to the life of my very 
good friend, the late Charles ``Cugsy'' Adonizio. On Sunday, February 
8, 2004, the Pittston Sunday Dispatch honored his life with the Joseph 
Saporito Award for Lifetime of Service to Greater Pittston. A loving 
husband to Helen for 57 years and the father of six children, Charles 
Adonizio, Jr. passed away last October at the age of 88 years old.
  The editor of the Sunday Dispatch, Ed Ackerman, recently wrote an 
excellent story outlining the life of this community-spirited man

[[Page E203]]

who inspired so many in the Greater Pittston area of Northeastern 
Pennsylvania. I would like to reprint that article below.

               Joseph Saporito Lifetime of Service Award

       If you knew ``Cugsy'' Adonizio you know he always cried 
     when he was happy. He'd tell a funny story and inevitably his 
     laughter turned to tears.
       Such paradox tells the story of Cugsy's life. He was 
     successful, yet humble, strict yet compassionate, powerful 
     yet gentle.
       In his later years, as he battled a heart condition, Cugsy 
     became weak yet strong. He needed the assistance of a cane, 
     but still walked a couple of miles every day. And while 
     walking was difficult for him, swinging a golf club was not. 
     He scored a hole-in-one at the age of 81.
       And the paradox continues since his death on October 26 at 
     88 years old. ``In a funny way,'' his wife Helen says, ``he's 
     more alive than ever. I talk to him all the time and, in his 
     own way, I believe he answers me.''
       Charles Adonizio Jr.--``Cugsy'' to most, just ``Cugs'' to 
     his wife of 57 years--is today honored posthumously with the 
     Joseph Saporito Award for Lifetime of Service to Greater 
     Pittston.
       He received a similar honor in 1979 when he was named Man 
     of the Year by St. Michael's School for Boys. It was a 
     fitting tribute for a man who dedicated a good part of his 
     life to helping troubled youth.
       As Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for Luzerne County from 
     1962 until his retirement in 1982, Cugsy earned a reputation 
     as a compassionate disciplinarian. He was more concerned with 
     rehabilitation than punishment. He saw a system that 
     needed fixing and he set about to fix it.
       Cugsy graduated from Pittston High School (later returning 
     as school director) and Duquesne University, who since placed 
     his name on their Who's Who list.
       He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a 
     full lieutenant at the time of his discharge. He spent 33 
     months on active duty in the Pacific.
       He organized the Wyoming Valley Naval Reserve and became 
     its first commanding officer. He retired in 1955 as a 
     Lieutenant Commander.
       He was a Past Exalted Ruler of the Pittston Elks, Fourth 
     Degree and Life Member of the Knights of Columbus, Past 
     Commander of Fort Pittston Post V.F.W., and first President 
     of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Holy Name Society.
       He and Helen are parents of six children: Judy Yanchek, 
     Gloria Blandina, the late Mary Christine Thompson, Charles 
     III, Jane Adonizio Lukas, and Dr. Patrick.

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