WEST PITTSTON — Blue skies and sunshine greeted all those in attendance for the annual West Pittston Fourth of July Fun Run Tuesday morning at the Wyoming Area Football Stadium. This year’s event was held in the memory of Marc Minichello who tirelessly gave of his time for the community’s youth.
A local business man, husband, father and coach to hundreds of children in the community, Minichello passed away unexpectedly at the age of 48,six months ago while on a business trip to Florida.
One hundred and sixteen runners from the ages of 2 through 14 participated as family members and friends attended in honor of Minichello. His widow, Paula, and two children, Marc Anthony and Toni, welcomed runners at the finishing line with ribbons and medals.
The West Pittston Parks, Recreation & Beautification Board sponsored the races, a non-competitive running event designed for every child to be a winner and have fun. The races began at 9 a.m. with five different categories of age brackets running from 1/8 of a mile for the younger children to two miles for children 12-14 years old.
“I thought this would be a small event, thinking back to when I ran in it,” Marc Anthony said. “I showed up and the outpouring of people really surprised me; I didn’t expect this much. Close friends, family and even people from the community to show up to support our family; it really means a lot to all of us.”
Sherry Dougherty, of West Pittston, has three adult children who ran the races when they were younger. Sherry and her daughters Alexandra and Nikole. were at the event to support the Minichello family.
“If it wasn’t for Marc, we wouldn’t be here,” Dougherty said.
Kory Angeli and her husband, PJ, have been friends of the Minichellos family for many years. Kory brought along her 11-year old daughter Nina to run the race.
“What Marc loved was community, running and kids and to see all the kids that remember him and be a part of this is very touching,” Angeli said. “One thing Marc loved was the Fourth of July and we always had parties, so this is definitely his holiday.”
“It was just absolutely amazing to see the town of West Pittston and other surrounding communities to come out to celebrate Marc’s life.” Paula Minichello said. “He truly loved kids; he loved sports and he always told kids they were a winner. This entire community has rallied around us and I’m forever grateful.”
Paula added, “My husband was a very quiet man and never wanted his name on anything. I’m sure he’d be up in the bleachers watching.”
“If he was here today, I think he’d probably just sit back in the stands and just watch all the kids run with a big smile on his face watching the kids having fun,” Marc Anthony said of his father
He couldn’t have been happier with the response from the community to honor his father. “He was an exemplary person.”
