The late Carbon County Judge David W. Addy was remembered last night as a man whose "integrity was second to none."

A dinner was held in his memory by the Mahoning Township Lions Club at the Mahoning Valley Ambulance Building. About 75 people attended the event, with proceeds benefiting the local unit of the American Cancer Society.The main speaker was Keith McCall, Speaker of the House of the Pa. House of Representatives.McCall praised Addy for not only his integrity, but his compassion, fairness, devotion to his community, and especially his devotion to his wife and family."He served with compassion, but he served with common sense," said McCall."I know of his reputation and I know what he stood for as a human being," the speaker told the gathering.He said that Carbon County Commissioner William O'Gurek, who was the former prothonotary, recalled that before he was judge, attorney Addy would often represent battered women. He said Addy would come to the prothonotary's office for protection from abuse orders, and when the victim didn't have the funds to pay court fees Addy would pay the costs himself.The legislator also remembered of the judge, "He had that rare quality that he could always put a smile on your face."McCall summarized Addy, who died last Dec. 17 at the age of 52, "What a great legacy to leave behind when you talk of a man who fought to protect children, fought to protect abused women, fought to keep drugs off the streets of Lehighton."Both McCall and Carbon County Commissioner Wayne Nothstein recalled how Addy, who supported the Child and Family Collaborative, once traveled with a group of other Carbon County residents to Harrisburg to appeal for continued funding for the collaborative.McCall said Judge Addy made his rounds contacting not only him personally, but also the late Sen. James Rhoades and various other lawmakers to plead the case.He said it's the only time he ever recalls a county judge taking time from his busy schedule and making a personal appearance before lawmakers in Harrisburg on any issue."That spoke of the strong sense of responsibility that Dave Addy had to helping our children," McCall remarked."Judge Addy treated every child as special," Nothstein agreed.He said it was Judge Addy who helped Carbon become one of the first counties in the state to establish a "Roundtable for the Youth."Three citations were presented to Judge Addy's wife, Carol, and his sons, Jason, Michael, and Chris.The citations were from:• McCall on behalf of the State House of Representatives.• State Rep. Jerry Knowles on behalf of the Senate and specifically State Sens. David Argall and Ray Musto.• Nothstein on behalf of the Carbon County Commissioners.Joe Krushinsky of Virginia, a Tamaqua Area High School graduate who annually hosts the American Cancer Society telethon, also spoke at the event.He told how he had been in Austin, Texas for another event, flew from Austin to Baltimore in the morning, then drove to Mahoning Township for the dinner.He also mentioned the many contributions of Judge Addy to the area.Krushinsky said proceeds from the banquet represent the first contribution to the 2011 telethon.In attendance were several county row office holders, lawyers, and various borough and township officials from throughout the area.Thomas Zimmerman IV, president of the Lions Club and coordinator of the dinner, said the event was held because of Judge Addy's many contributions to the club, including assistance at various events the Lions held.