Notable deaths include hundreds in Lehigh Valley lost to COVID-19
More than 900 died from virus in the area
The last year has been among the most trying in American history, as about 340,000 lives were lost to the coronavirus, including more than 900 in the Lehigh Valley. As we reflect on 2020, we remember those souls as well as the numerous community, business and entertainment leaders who died in 2020, and a little boy who touched our hearts with a dream fulfilled.
Though it favored the old and sick, the coronavirus also claimed the young and healthy, rich and poor, people of every shade and faith. Pennsylvania’s first recorded coronavirus death came March 18 when 55-year-old Carmine Fusco, a horse trainer from the Bath area, died at St. Luke’ s University Hospital in Fountain Hill.
Many would follow, including Douglas Linn Hickok, a New Jersey Army National Guardsman and physician assistant from Bangor, on March 28 at age 57; Christian Dutan, a vivacious 30-year-old and former Allen High School football player, on April 12; Jonathan Shen, a 31-year-old Wind Creek Bethlehem games supervisor on April 22; Barbara Storm, the first of what would be many Gracedale residents to die of COVID-19, on March 31; and Juan Garcia, a 21-year-old Penn State student from Allentown, who was thought to be the youngest in the state to succumb to the illness when he died June 30.
We remember them and their families, who were denied the opportunity to be by their side and say goodbye. Christian Dutan’s thoughts were with those he loved shortly before he was put on a ventilator at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. “Everyone please pray for me,” he posted on Facebook. “Also pray for my parents because I know they’re gonna be in bad shape.”
Other notable deaths January
The year started with news that Brent McNabb, the Lower Macungie Township fire marshal and a 43-year member of the Lower Macungie Fire Department, had died Dec. 31, 2019, at age 59. Working his way through the ranks, McNabb served as lieutenant, captain, assistant chief, deputy chief and president of the department. He also ran his family’s business, McNabb’s Service and Repair.
The township commissioners acknowledged McNabb’s service in October by naming a little park next to the Wescosville Wawa after him. In a Facebook post that day, Commissioner Ron Beitler called McNabb an “everyday hero,” saying, “These are folks in our community who step to the plate and serve without seeking recognition. Brent had that special everyday hero gene.”
Six days into the year, former U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, who rose from Bucks County commissioner to represent the then-8th District in Congress, died of cancer at age 56. As a commissioner, he was credited with pushing the county to preserve tens of thousands of acres of open space. And in Congress, where he served for eight years, he lobbied for what would become Washington Crossing National Cemetery for veterans.
“My heart is broken. My big brother Mike was my hero and my best friend,” Brian Fitzpatrick, who would go on to win his brother’s seat in Congress, tweeted. “Mike has forever touched the lives of so many in our community.”
Three-term Easton Mayor Tom Goldsmith died Jan. 11 at age 80. Goldsmith addressed the city’s finances, oversaw the completion of Two Rivers Landing visitor center by the Crayola Factory and pushed for the revival of Easton’s downtown. A financial consultant by profession, Goldsmith’s tenure was marked by his financial capabilities, said his friend and former political foe, current Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
“It was my honor to lower the Easton flag in the circle in front of City Hall in tribute to him,” Panto said.
February
Kaleb Holder took his last step four days before Christmas 2016. Less than a year earlier, before he was derailed by a rare genetic disease that destroys the protective sheath surrounding the neurons in the brain and spinal cord, the 8-year-old South Whitehall Township boy was running and playing. Fulfilling Kaleb’s wish, the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office made him “sheriff for a day,” giving him a badge and a uniform. The honor touched the hearts of many, including law enforcement officers who would turn out in great numbers for Kaleb’s funeral.
“Kaleb and his family served as an inspiration to all of us here at the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office,” read a Facebook post after Kaleb died Feb. 19 at age 12. “May God rest his Soul, and may his memory be eternal.”
April
Piano player Dave Roper, best known for the Dave Roper Trio, died April 8 at age 82. A versatile and longtime Lehigh Valley musician, Roper held a 15-year stint at the King George Inn in South Whitehall Township, ending in 1987. Beloved by the jazz community and respected beyond it, Roper came to be known for his signature version of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” which he always saved for an encore.
“He was hip. He was classical. He was everything in between,” said Judith Harris, board member with the Allentown Symphony Association. “He could play anything. And that’s what was so amazing about him.”
May
Lehigh Valley historian Lance Metz, an archivist for the National Canal Museum and chronicler of the histories of many industrial sites, died May 2 at age 72. His obituary noted that Metz’s work encompassed the preservation of records and artifacts for canals, railroads and Bethlehem Steel.
“Because of Lance, I — and many other people here and around the country — learned to appreciate the depth, breadth, and immense significance of the history of our region to the entire United States,” Martha Capwell Fox, archives coordinator for the National Canal Museum and Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, said on the museum’s website.
Raymond E. Holland, who with his wife, Thelma, co-founded the Holiday Hair chain that grew to more than 200 stores in six states, died May 19 at age 82, exactly eight months after his wife. Sinking their full $1,400 in savings into their first salon in Allentown, the Hollands built a business of neighborhood shops offering inexpensive cuts that required no appointment. Ray Holland also gave time and money to many Lehigh Valley organizations and was a board member for the Minsi Trails Boy Scout Council, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, Allentown Economic Development Corp., Baum School of Art, Allentown Art Museum and Muhlenberg College, among others.
“He was a classic,” said Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. “He cared about his community beyond his business.”
June
Dr. Rose Mattioli, a podiatrist and unofficial “first lady of Pocono Raceway,” died June 29 at age 92. With her husband, the late Dr. Joseph “Doc” Mattioli, she co-founded the raceway in 1968. The Mattiolis were wellknown in the racing world and throughout Monroe County, where much of their philanthropy was focused.
“Rose and Doc created a unique racing experience at Pocono Raceway, bringing a passion for race fans and love of racing to everything they touched,” Jim France and Les a France Kennedy, the CEO and executive vice president of NASCAR, respectively, said in a statement.
August
On Aug. 27, Santa A. Claus of Easton died at 12:25 p.m., according to his wife, Dolores. His age? He kept that a secret. The former J. Patrick Allen, who had portrayed Santa Claus for more than 50 years, legally changed his name in 1995. In the early years, he played Santa strictly for family and friends of the Catasauqua Fire Company, going pro in the 1980s with a spot each year as the Concord Mall Santa in Delaware.
When Santa’s obituary appeared in the newspaper, no doubt many gasped to think that this year, which has taken so much, would also claim the beloved Christmas figure.
September
Louis Hershman, known to anyone who attended an Allentown City Council meeting over the last few decades, died Sept. 27 at age 84. Hershman was the city controller from 1976 until he was elected to City Council in 1999. He served two terms and continued even after that to attend the meetings. A self-appointed government watchdog, Hershman scrutinized not only the budgets but the weekly finance reports.
“Lou was one of a kind,” Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell said. “And he always tried to do right by the people of Allentown.”
October
Easton businessman and community leader John Robinson died Oct. 13 at age 75. Robinson founded Black Diamond Enterprises, a stainless steel manufacturing company, in 1976 in the back seat of his car, according to his obituary, eventually setting it in Easton. He spearheaded many redevelopment projects including The Mill at Easton, a complex of 55 affordable apartments on the site of his former business. Well-known in the city, Robinson was involved in the NAACP, among other organizations, and with the annual lighting of the Easton Peace Candle.
Panto called Robinson a good friend and told the Easton Express-Times the community would miss him.
A day after Robinson died, Easton lost another community leader, former city council member Josie Smull, who served as council president from 2000-2002. She was 83. Smull spent 30 years working in the Social Security office in Easton and was a small business owner in Nazareth, where she established Auntie Pips Antiques. She was a collector of Easton memorabilia and was involved in its signature programs, including the Peace Candle and Easton Heritage Day.
“I am very proud to be a member of this community, to serve it and continue to do so in whatever capacity I can, “Smull said upon receiving an award at the Peace Candle ceremony in 2002.
November
District Judge Wayne Maura, who once held a courtroom observer in contempt for wearing low pants, died Nov. 9 at age 66. Maura didn’t put up with bad manner sin his west Bethlehem courtroom. But on barroom stages all over the Lehigh Valley, he was known for letting his hair down as a soulful singer and talented drummer who could always get the party started.
“He had his own style and was an original,” said musician Steve Brosky, who played with Maura for nearly 30 years in several bands. “He was great at everything he did,”
December
Charles Meredith III, the former owner and publisher of the Quakertown Free Press, former Bucks County commissioner and longtime philanthropist, died Dec. 11 at age 85. Born into the newspaper business, Meredith founded the Emmaus Free Press and the Indian Valley Echo, and was active in newspaper associations. His many skills and talents included sculling, which he did on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, and singing, which he did around the world with the Berkshire Choral International and with The Philadelphia Singers.
“Charlie was Superman,” said attorney J. Lawrence Grim, his lifelong friend. “He was just the most incredible, well-rounded person who touched everyone he met.”