‘Mayor Mike’ gazebo dedication set for today
LANSDALE » Almost 11 years have passed since the death of Lansdale Mayor Michael DiNunzio at age 93, and yet no suitable remembrance of this most popular of public servants can be found anywhere in the borough.
There was never a dispute about Mike’s decades of importance to the community or the support he lent to so many organizations that promoted the greater good for all citizens.
But what kind of a memorial would encompass Mayor Mike’s multi-faceted interests and his impact on the town he loved? Well, it took 11 years for borough leaders, the citizenry and Discover Lansdale to arrive at the conclusion that such a task is impossible.
Better yet would be a gathering spot where Lansdale’s residents could come together to enjoy the company of one another, a place to assemble for music, speeches, ceremonies, and whatever else. And so, the decision was made to erect the Michael DiNunzio Sr. Gazebo as the new centerpiece in Memorial Park.
We think Mike will like that. A World War II vet himself, the mayor gave many a speech in the park, attended hundreds of events there and loved every minute of mingling with the crowds. And if we recall correctly, he officiated a number of weddings there, as well.
As part of Lansdale 150’s Day in the Park, Mike’s gazebo will be dedicated this Saturday at a 1 p.m. ceremony. We hope the people of Lansdale — whether they knew Mike DiNunzio personally or not — will show up in big numbers to honor this unique man who rose from “humble cobbler” to community leader.