Etna community honors late Mayor Tom Rengers with formal proclamation
The late Etna Mayor Thomas J. Rengers may be gone, but Etna officials are making sure he’s not forgotten, by proclaiming July 29, 2024, as “Mayor Tom Rengers Day.”
Rengers served as mayor since 2004 and died while in office last December after a prolonged illness with cancer.
He was 72.
“This is in remembrance and eternal gratitude for his contributions and remarkable service to Etna and its residents,” current Mayor Robert Tuñón proclaimed to the crowd gathered early Monday morning outside of the borough building along Butler Street.
Proclamation activities included a visit to Cop Out Pierogies, the Bread of Life Food Pantry, Mass at St. Matthew Parish, a luncheon at the Etna Senior Center, a recognition at the Etna Pop-Up Library, a dek hockey memorial game at the Etna Playground and an evening celebration gathering at Fugh Hall.
Amid the tears, smiles and hugs, widow Sandy Rengers expressed her appreciation Monday to all for their efforts to honor her late husband of 48 years of marriage.
“It’s a very joyous tribute to Tom and I’m happy that my kids can see it,” Sandy Rengers said. “I’m so proud of this. He would be so humbled.”
Sandy plans to remain in Etna, where the couple settled in 1976.
“I like my neighbors and it’s just a great place to live. It’s really evolved over the last 20 years and has Tom’s legacy, which I’m sure not ready to walk away from,” Sandy Rengers said.
Officials described Renger’s mayoral work ethic as “tireless” and noted how Tom always got involved and served as a positive force in Etna.
In his proclamation speech, Mayor Tuñón praised Rengers for his accomplishments in transforming Etna from a victim of the Pine Creek Watershed to becoming a leader in green infrastructure by implementing Etna’s 2014 Green Infrastructure Master Plan.
Tuñón recalled how Rengers, as mayor, had a large impact on food insecurity in the borough.
“He elevated this as a priority in the borough. He packaged meals for Meals on Wheels, passed out dinners during covid and led food drives at our local pantry,” Tuñón said. “What I miss most about Mayor Rengers is his spirit. He could lift you up and fill you with hope and optimism. He motivated all of us to dig a little deeper, and give a little more.”
The proclamation date was selected to coincide with Rengers’ birthday, July 29, 1951.
Rengers graduated from Shaler Area High School in 1969 and was a lifelong member of Steamfitters Local Union 499, retiring from Power Piping Company at age 62.
He first tested the elected official waters with an appointment to Etna Borough Council in 1993, serving for 11 years.
Rengers was appointed mayor in 2004 and faced a crisis a few months into his appointment when Hurricane Ivan hit the Pittsburgh region, resulting in more than six inches of rainfall in a single day.
Sandy and Tom formed the Etna Deck Hockey Association with residents and Tom was a founding member of the Etna Economic Development Corportation, the Etna Neighborhood Association, a volunteer of the Etna Economic Development Corportation, chairman of the Etna Holiday Committee and president of the board of Etna Commons.
Rengers son, Bob Rengers, sported a commemorative t-shirt emblazoned with his late father’s smiling face.
“He always aimed to please and always found a way to volunteer me for something, whether I knew it or not,” Bob Rengers said, smiling. “It’s just a great way today to celebrate his life.”
Sue Borres, sister of Tom Rengers, attended with her immediate family.
“He was an amazing guy and he was literally involved in all of it,” Borres said. “From the time we were little he was always hanging out in Etna.”
Borres’s husband Paul Borres praised his brother-in-law for being a dedicated public servant.
“I knew him and loved him. I knew he was a great guy, but I didn’t know how great of a guy he was until he passed away,” Paul Borres said.
“There were a lot of feels today, a lot of love and if Tom were here today, he would have probably got everyone to roll up their sleeves and go volunteer somewhere,” said relative Tony Borres.
Etna Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Todd Lunn was visibly emotional Monday as he recalled his more than 30 years of friendship with Rengers.
“Tom was an awesome person and I feel lucky to call him by friend and colleague. His public service was top-of-the-line,” Lunn said. “Any time there was an emergency, Tom would show up.”
The two met 32 years ago when Lunn was a junior fireman.
They shared a weekly “Fireman’s Breakfast” with other borough officials every Wednesday.
“Tom is missed. I miss him everyday,” Lunn said. “If you ever needed anything, Tom was your man.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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