Zelienople comes together to celebrate retirement of Don Pepe
ZELIENOPLE — Old friends and colleagues met at the borough building Friday to celebrate Don Pepe’s retirement as borough manager.
And there were a lot of reasons to celebrate.
As Pepe has worked with the borough for just over 17 years, the borough proclaimed Friday “Don Pepe Day” to honor that time and his legacy.
“I was one of the people who had the pleasure of interviewing him for the position,” Mayor Thomas Oliverio said. “He brought in a lot of new ideas for us and quality people — good people.”
One of those good people, Nikki Colton, now works as Jackson Township’s planning director. Her time with Pepe helped make that possible.
“Don gave me my first job in municipal government,” Colton said. “I worked as a zoning officer for the borough.”
Former council president Chuck Underwood saw Pepe as a just leader and a good friend.
“He gets along with everyone,” Underwood said. “He’s fair to people, and I’m going to miss him.”
Mike Christopher, a former township manager in Franklin Township, underscored the amount of effort Pepe has put into his work.
“It’s a rewarding job, but it’s a very stressful job,” Christopher said. “But you get to do things to make your community a better place.”
Guests packed the council chamber, bringing Pepe cards and gifts. Carrie Martin, former receptionist and assistant to parks and recreation in Murrysville, Westmoreland County, even gave him a cheer as she entered.
“It’s ‘Don Pepe Day!’” Martin shouted, laughing.
Martin worked with Pepe while he was chief administrator for Murrysville. She remembers him fondly for a tradition he established in the municipality.
“The first summer, he decided that our community day should be marked by fireworks,” Martin said.
The expense and restrictions on fireworks had never made that possible. Pepe was determined though.
“Don — he got to know people so fast — met a guy at a local golf course who had a license,” Martin said. “So we had a firework display for the first time ever, and it continued.”
Thanks to Pepe, Murrysville continues to celebrate its community day with a fireworks display.
“He has done wonderful things,” Martin said. “It’s going to be very sad for this community when he’s gone.”
Pepe, a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, will spend his retirement managing operations at Divine Church Parish, which includes St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Cranberry Township, St. Gregory Catholic Church in Zelienople and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church at 415 Fourth St.
His last day with the borough is Wednesday.
“After that, I’m probably just going to sit around for a couple of weeks,” Pepe said with a chuckle.
