Building Bridges starting in the Borough
by Cate Murway
A mission of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council [MYAC] is to serve the common good of the community and Vice President, Samuel Michael Scalzo takes his position as a Bristol Borough Ambassador very seriously. The BHS Junior, his brother, Carman Arthur, and their sister, RoseMarie Carolina, BHS '14 were born into a family steeped in Bristol Borough history. Cousin Harold D. Mitchener shares his enthusiastic longtime love of local history. Great-Grandfather Joseph [Joe] Mancuso and his wife, Beatrice owned the Mancuso Bakery on Garden Street for over 4 decades and the last wedding cake they created was for Sam’s parents’ nuptial celebration. Great-Grandfather Louie Bersani was the proprietor of “Bersani Shoemaker” in the Borough. Samuel’s business owner mom, Donna Marie [Mancuso], BHS ‘77/ Susquehanna University, in Selinsgrove ’81 was the first grandchild to graduate from college. His father, SunGard Disaster Recovery Solution I.T., Sam Scalzo II, a football/basketball/baseball athlete, graduated from Easton Area H.S. ’77 and Williamsport College of Technology ’79. Sam’s maternal grandparents, Art ‘57 and RoseMarie [Bersani] ’58 Mancuso, both BHS graduates, have “passed the baton”. Staying “right on track” with Grandfather Art, Sam runs the same 2nd leg of the BHS 4x800 relay team. His Coach Jimmy Jones, BHS ‘59, said, “Sam is very dedicated and hardworking. I see great things for him in the mile and the half-mile. He’ll be running anchor for the indoor distance and sprint medley relays”. This fall, Sam qualified for All-B.A.L. [Bicentennial Athletic League] 2nd Team. He began competing in XC in the 10th grade, his 1st 5K race was the Truman Classic. The actual mileage was a surprise but he has found that long distance running “calms” him and has quickly become a favorite sport. As #14 starting fullback, a defender playing closest to his own goal, he has played for Coach John Tomlinson, who also coaches the JV team at Conwell-Egan Catholic in Fairless Hills, at the Hulmeville Soccer Club since 2002. His whole-hearted solid performances earned him the honor of being selected for the 2005 Tournament Team. Sam’s early athletic career started with St. Ann/ St. Mark CYO teams coached by his ever-supportive dad. When entering the halls of BHS, Sam, who’s academic ranking is near the top 10% of his class, shared that “he sees the trophy case and feels pride”.
After having earned Distinguished Honors for every marking period, he is a candidate for the National Honor Society. He will participate again this year in the PA Statewide Mock Trial Competition, Jamie Anderson v. Taylor Williams, a civil action that centers on cyber stalking. Sam was the lead witness on the plaintiff side in the murder/ criminal trial last year when the BHS team celebrated a District 3rd place standing. A multi-talented student/athlete, he is a Member of the Chemistry Club, the Model U.N. Club, where he feels he “learns the real democratic process”, and the Italian Club. Sam has played the trumpet since the 4th grade, performing in the band, marching in the Town Parade and entertaining the Mill Run residents in the Brass Choir. His musical dedication began when he heard Louis Armstrong, the greatest of all jazz musicians, being played in his grandparents’ home in Easton and now includes Wednesday and Friday 7:00 A.M. practices. He also enjoyed a supporting cast role as the reporter, and stage crew assistant in the BHS performance of the 1960 Broadway Tony Award winning musical, “Bye Bye Birdie”.
His strive for excellence became apparent during his elementary years at St. Ann School when he earned the “President’s Award” for a cumulative average exceeding 90, at his 6th and 8th grade graduations.
College planning choices for Civil Engineering include Drexel University in Philadelphia, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University. His goal is to design and build bridges, being able to incorporate his mathematical strengths. Last summer, his Godmother, Martha Anne Shapcott gave him the opportunity to practice his building techniques while he worked for her and his Uncle Harry, running the forklift and stacking wood at the Neshaminy CBM location.
He is always building bridges. Superintendent Dr. Broadus Davis selected positive thinking Sam as Student Ambassador, to be a role model to his peers and to represent BHS at borough events such as the Snyder-Girotti Elementary School groundbreaking and Open House. He recently received a letter recommending him for “People to People Student Ambassadors” to travel overseas for 2-3 weeks during the summer to learn, share, and represent their communities and schools. With very perceptible pride, Sam appreciates the small town atmosphere and feels confident in the fact that he can always get individualized and personalized help at BHS. He ultimately would like to own an “economical”, perhaps the ultra-efficient Camry Hybrid, Toyota but high gas prices are not a big concern at the moment, since he can “walk everywhere or ride his bike”. As a long-range goal, Sam would like to own his engineering firm and can foresee himself running for a local political office. Build ‘em again, Sam!
Recommend a Spotlight: e-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Rosemarie Scalzo, Bristol Borough
2014 John Fisher Citizen-Scholar
They are the best and brightest, high school graduates
who not only excel in the classroom
but also in the community, selected
from outstanding seniors throughout the community.
Bristol Junior-Senior High School
Class rank: 1 of 74
Achievements: National Honor Society president;
Student Council; the Interact Club; class officer;
Italian Club; Student Forum; yearbook staff;
Chemistry Club; Delaware Valley Science Council;
prom committee; co-chair of the Model UN
and Mock Trial teams; field hockey; softball;
jazz soloist.
Community Service: Relay for Life;
Breakfast with Santa; Historic Bristol Day;
blood drives; received the Rotary Youth Leadership award;
worked on Earth Day Cleanup; volunteers with the Green Club
and the Century 21 youth softball clinic; works with Bristol Lions on their Shop With A Cop program.
Counselor’s comments: She is dedicated and responsible. She manages to hold the top spot in her senior class while working with and participating in almost everything offered in her school and community.
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Sam and his parents
Samuel Michael Scalzo
"It seems like we’ve known each other forever. Fifth grade to be exact. Another life gone too soon. 💚
Rest In Peace Donna Mancuso Scalzo"
Martha Anne Shapcott
Donna Marie Scalzo passed away peacefully in her home on July 25th, 2018. She was 59. She battled ovarian cancer onset with Leukemia for the past three years. Donna never allowed cancer to define her. She continued to live her life to the fullest throughout her fight. A lifelong Bristol resident, Donna graduated from Bristol High School in 1977, and Susquehanna University as a Business Management major and a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority in 1981. Donna began her career at First Pennsylvania Community Banks, following in her mother’s footsteps. Most recently, she held the title of Vice President, Market Manager of Bucks County Bank. She loved being involved in the business community and gave her time and energy to numerous boards and organizations including the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rotary (President), Silver Lake Nature Center (President), Snipes Farm, Levittown Business Association, Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce (Chair of Business Education Partnership Committee), and Bristol Borough Raising the Bar. Outside of the business world, Donna most enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially at her “happy place”, Beach Haven, N.J. She loved painting and crafting for “Beach Rose”, kayaking, cooking for her family, and fishing in Key West; Donna always caught the biggest fish. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and RoseMarie (Bersani) Mancuso. She is survived by her husband, Samuel Scalzo II and children, Samuel M. and future daughter-in-law, Emily Robbins, Carman, RoseMarie, and her “fur baby”, Cocoa. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Betty Scalzo; sister-in-law, Phyllis Douvanis and husband, Dennis; niece and nephew, Elena and DJ; her cousin, Duke Misnik and his wife, Ellen; nephew, Adam Misnik and “fairy god-daughter”, Kelly Misnik; along with many other aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was also preceded in death by her father-in- law, Samuel Scalzo, and cousin, Alexandria (Misnik) Gaisor. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Monday, July 30, at St. Ann Church, Bristol Borough. Interment will be private. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beach Haven Public Library, 247 N. Beach Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008. Wade Funeral Home, Bristol Borough www.wadefh.com
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Arthur Marvin Mancuso passed away Sunday, April 16, 2017,
at Arden Courts, Yardley, in the presence of his loving family. He was 78.
Born in Bristol Borough, son of the late Joseph and Beatrice (Grimes) Mancuso,
he was a lifelong resident. Art graduated Bristol High School, Class of 1957,
where he excelled in baseball, football, and track and field.
He retired after more than 25 years of service at the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds.
Art was a baker in the family business, Mancuso’s Bakery, for many years. He was a board member on the Bristol Borough Water and Sewer Authority for many years, and was a member of the Bristol Athletic Alumni Association, the Masonic Lodge in Trenton, and was a Democratic Committeeman in Bristol. Art was a former member of the Bristol Elks, the Bristol Moose, and the Bristol-Levittown Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed cooking, fishing, spending time at his home on LBI, and his dogs.
Husband of the late RoseMarie (Bersani) Mancuso, he is survived by his daughter, Donna Scalzo and her husband, Sam; and his grandchildren, Samuel, Carman, and RoseMarie Scalzo. He also is survived by his twin brother, Alfred Mancuso and his wife, Patricia; his lifelong best friend, Melvin ‘Dingy’ Daniels; his brother-in-law, Frank Merz; and many nieces and nephews. He also was preceded in death by his sister, Sarah May Merz.
The family would like to thank the caring and dedicated staff at Arden Courts for the care and kindness shown to Art.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service at 11 a.m. Friday, April 21, at Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe St., Bristol Borough, where friends may call from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in St. Mark Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bristol Athletic Alumni Association, P.O. Box 31, Bristol, PA 19007.Wade Funeral Home, Bristol Borough
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7.28.18 11:05 AM
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of Donna Scalzo.
Donna worked for Bucks County Bank, was a part of the Chamber family for many years while chairing the Business Education Partnership Committee and received the SITAWE Award
(Shot in the Arm With Enthusiasm) for her continual support of Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce.
She will be deeply missed.
Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce
Samuel A. Scalzo, 91, of Forks Township, passed away Friday, Dec. 22, 2017,
in St. Luke's Hospital-Anderson Campus. Born Aug. 20, 1926, in Easton, PA,
he was a son of the late Salvatore and Filippina (Curcio) Scalzo. Sam and his wife, Betty (DiGloria) Scalzo, celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on June 15, 2017. In 1987 Sam retired from Ingersoll Rand Company, Turbo Division, where he was employed for over 43 years. He was an avid walker, enjoyed exercising at Forks Community Center, and could fix anything. Sam was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He was also a member of Easton Senior Center.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Betty, are a son, Samuel Scalzo II and his wife, Donna, of Bristol, PA; a daughter, Phyllis Douvanis and her husband, Dennis, of Bethlehem, PA; and five grandchildren, Elena Douvanis and fiance, Ben Irwin, Dennis J. "DJ" Douvanis, Samuel M. Scalzo and fiancee, Emily Robbins, Carman and RoseMarie Scalzo. He was predeceased by two sisters, Betty Scalzo and Josephine Mazzarese. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., 2101 Northampton St., Wilson Borough. Calling is Wednesday from 9 to 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Easton Heights Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.strunkfh.com. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Place, Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. 2101 Northampton St. Wilson Borough, PA 18042 (610) 258-7211
