Honoring One of Their Own

Old Forge Borough resident Robert V. Semenza is no stranger to hard work.

In fact, the two-term council member has been a staunch supporter of advancing recreational opportunity in the borough for more than 45 years - even getting up in the middle of the night during a drought to personally water the borough's softball field.

Previous attempts to acknowledge Semenza's positive contributions were fruitless, as he refused to participate.

"I just thought it was overwhelming," Semenza said. "I didn't feel that I have done enough to have that honor bestowed upon me."

Semenza had been on the borough's recreation board for 25 years before becoming a member of council.

This time, however, he had no say, as council seized an opportunity during Semenza's rare absence from a council meeting to set the long-overdue wheels of formal appreciation in motion.

"It's rare that we have a chance to or dedicate things to people in our community," said council member Anthony Pero. "Bobby is somebody who has spent 45 years working to advance opportunity in our community. He is somebody who rolled up his sleeves and worked at bettering recreation for everyone."

The softball field at Pagnotti Park is now officially known as the "Robert V. Semenza Softball Field."

In addition to his duties on council, Semenza also serves as chairman of the recreation board where he represents council.

"I've been involved in softball for 45 years, dating back to 1968," Semenza said. "In the mid-to-late '80s I was approached about having a softball field built at Pagnotti Park. We built the field in 1988, with funding through the recreation board and the borough."

"I loved the sport and couldn't get away from it," Semenza said. "I have done everything possible with the softball field."

According to Semenza, this honor is overwhelming.

"To have people acknowledge me in this way is just probably one of the great moments in my life," he added. "I was completely humbled, to think that I was being honored for doing something that was just a part of my life."

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