In honor of Father’s Day, we asked readers to share stories of their dads. Read on for love in lyrics, stories of a father and stepfather on the same team, a hero’s welcome for a World War II veteran, a date that made a splash and more.
Father and stepfather celebrate successes together
Having both a great father and stepfather is a rare and special blessing — one that has shaped my life deeply. Each of them has played a unique role in helping me grow into the person I am today. They are both two extremely hard workers — both small-business owners — and have helped me set an extremely high work ethic for myself.
My father, William Manganaro of Taylor, has always been a steady presence in my life — from helping me start my first business to teaching me the importance of working hard, responsibility and perseverance. Most recently he has shown me that you have to roll with whatever life throws at you. He’s the person who showed me how to stand tall during hard times and how to continue on.
My stepfather, Phillip Lamberti of Spring Brook Twp., entered my life at a different time, but his impact has been equally powerful. He never tried to replace my father, but instead added something new and valuable. With his kindness, patience and work ethic, he built a relationship with me based on mutual respect and care. He didn’t just show up for me as a presence, but he helped build my dreams from laying floors to building bridges, both literally and figuratively.
Having both of these men in my life has taught me that strength comes in many forms. Both support my many crazy endeavors, and I am proud to call them both my dads. They will continue to influence my life as I bring my first child and son into this world this summer. I am beyond lucky.
— Chelsea Manganaro
The late Ron Lupini (Lupini family)
Chelsea Manganaro, with scissors, celebrates the opening of her yoga studio with her father, William Manganaro, left; mother, Caryl Lamberti; and stepfather, Phillip Lamberti, far right. (Chelsea Manganaro)
The late Felix (Phil) DiRienzo
The late Francis Moran (Mary Ann Moran-Savakinus)
An American soldier and his devoted son-in-law
This is my Father’s Day story, about two great fathers: my dad, Felix (Phil) DiRienzo, and my husband, Joe Michalczyk.
My dad was a proud American soldier, a master sergeant stationed in Africa and Italy during World War II.
In 1996, my husband, Joe, planned a special trip to Southern Italy to celebrate our 25th and my parents’ 50th wedding anniversaries. It was a luxurious and slow-paced trip with a private driver, taking us to places they would enjoy.
On a day trip to Naples, we stopped to watch a wedding party leaving the church. My husband rushed to get a better photo of the bridal couple and was quite surprised to find my dad in the middle of the bridal couple being hugged by the bride and groom, who wanted their picture with “the American hero.”
Later we went down to the seafront Castel dell’Ovo. When we were getting ready to leave, my very considerate husband again dashed ahead of us to find our driver, to reduce the amount of walking for my parents. When he returned, he discovered my father being interviewed by CNN. He was being questioned about the differences in Naples during WWII and then. The small insignia on my dad’s Veterans of Foreign Wars shirt signaled to these Italian people that my elderly father was a true hero, who helped to liberate their country, and they wanted to truly thank him.
Thanks to both our heroes, Dad and Joe. Happy Father’s Day!
— Dolly Michalczyk, Dunmore
Early misadventure becomes story for the ages
My dad, Eugene McAndrew of Dunmore, was born in 1896. In the Roaring ’20s, he rode the train to Lake Carey, where there was dancing on the pavilion overlooking that big lake. Canoe boats were available, too. My dad was dancing with a very pretty young lady. This was before he even met my mom. He asked her if she would like to go out on the lake in a canoe. She agreed and he paddled around the lake in the moonlight. Then, when they reached the dock, he grandly offered his help as she stood up to get on the deck. But — SPLASH! The deck was on the other side of the canoe. They had to stay at the lake until she dried out, at about 4 or 5 a.m. Needless to say, my dad could never ask her father if she could go anywhere with him ever again.
— Martha McAndrew, Clarks Green
A helping hand to strangers
Because of my dad, the late Joseph Nee, my motto is “Practice random acts of kindness.” When I was very small, about 6 or 7 years old, we lived on the 400 block of North Webster Avenue, Scranton.
One night there was a house fire a couple of blocks away on Mulberry Street. I remember my dad bringing home the family. They had blankets and smelled like smoke. The children were scared so my dad gave them each a box of cereal to calm them down.
He didn’t know this family. But he helped them. He became an intake worker for the Department of Welfare, which allowed him to help thousands of people in the 30 years he worked there. His friends all called him their best friend.
Although he was a tough dad, he had a heart of gold. He died at a young age of a brain tumor. And he was missed very much by all of the people whose lives he touched.
I have been known to do things for strangers because it feels good. My husband used to question things I have done for strangers. Now he goes along with me. When we are in a big parking lot and I see someone looking for their car, he looks at me, then says “OK, I’ll go help.”
My dad was my hero and I miss him every day and I thank him for showing that helping a stranger makes the world a better place.
— Kathleen Nee Hein, Scranton
Two jobs sets a good example
My father, the late Francis Moran of Archbald, would be 100 years old this week. When I remember my father, I think about how he was a man of very few words. I am always impressed at how devoted he was to my mother and our family. He worked at Tobyhanna Army Depot and then bartended at night in order to provide for us but also to set an example on how important it is to work hard. Occasionally he would offer advice using long-established quotes or proverbs like “A borrower or lender never be,” or provide his own bits of wisdom like “Always pay off your credit card in full.”
While he offered me some excellent advice on how to manage my finances, it was really his nonwords that made the biggest impact on me. My father grew up during the Depression. He served in World War II but never made it overseas. After the war he married my mother, and together they raised me and my four older siblings. My mother made sure we cleaned our rooms and did our homework, and my father took us to church every Sunday. After church our whole family would go to my grandmother’s house for dinner. My father’s respect for my mother, his mother and his sisters provided the perfect example of how family is the most important thing. He never said this but demonstrated it in everything he did.
— Mary Ann Moran Savakinus, Carbondale
‘Words of my Father’
It’s difficult to describe our dad, Ron Lupini of Jessup, in 300 words or less.
The best description is a song that was written about him, by Jamie. The song was recorded in 2000. He unexpectedly passed in September 2003, but his words still ring strong.
Excerpts from the song, which epitomize and demonstrate how we (the three girls) feel about our dad, include:
“I finally realized what you meant. Giving me encouragement.”
“I sang for you then and I’ll sing for you now.”
“Helping me strive, you couldn’t let me down. I look to the future in the light of the past. Dad, I’m growing up fast.”
“The words of my father are cherished oh so deep, forever I will keep.”
“He said give of yourself above and beyond and take nothing in return. Sacrifice, don’t think twice, it will mean more in life.”
”My heart is still with you though the distance is long. Dad, our blood is strong.”
“The light of the past is burning in my soul. You’re my guiding light. It makes me whole and you will stay with me forever, until the day that I die. The words of my father, they are my life.”
— Kim McKinney, Florida; Jamie Lupini, South Carolina, and Gina Pascolini, Jessup