Toughness and hard work might come to mind when describing the coal region.

Most of the area’s former population worked tirelessly and relentlessly to make a living as a miner. And those who worked in the mines were tough as nails.

On Wednesday, St. Luke’s Miners Campus honored the residents of the region with a large portrait of the late Joe Malusky, who was a former blue-collar coal miner with local ties. The artwork was unveiled in the Miners Campus main lobby in front of staff, media and Malusky’s family. The portrait powerfully and perfectly represents the legacy of the coal region and its hardworking residents.

“I happened to look at this portrait one day after my long career of coming to Miners to see patients in the vascular clinic here,” said Dr. James Balshi, who has been with St. Luke’s for 32 years. “I felt that it really captured the strength of the miners.”

Frank Schramm, a professional photographer who took the portrait of Malusky in Tower City in 1979, is a lifelong friend of Balshi. The original picture was a gift from Schramm to his friend, who has a special place in his heart for the coal region. The two were able to digitally scan it in a lab and make it exponentially larger. After a quick chat with the St. Luke’s marketing team, it was obvious the lobby was the perfect place for the portrait.

“Through the years, Frank became an illustrious and world-renowned photographer and we always remained very close,” said Balshi. “One of Frank’s many gifts to me was this particular photograph that has roots back to my grandmother, who was born in the coal region. My grandfather worked for the railroad, which transported the coal down to the steel company. Everyone else in my family grew up as a steelworker, including myself.”

Here’s the kicker.

Initially, nobody could identify the mystery man in the portrait. Thanks to the internet and modern-day technology, Balshi posted on a coal-community website, and sure enough, Malusky was identified. Not only was the community able to make the identification, but the group found and connected with Malusky’s family.

Malusky’s daughter-in-law Helen, granddaughters Allison and Angela, and great-grandson Luke were all on site Wednesday for the ceremony. Allison only knew her grandfather for a few years, but she does have memories of him.

“It’s humbling,” Allison said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever even seen the photo. I can’t believe it’s so big.”

A photo, turned into a gift, which turned into a dedication. But it also brought a family together to honor a loved one.

The same coal region qualities that Malusky possessed can be found throughout halls of Miners Campus each day. Blue-collar professionals, much like the miners, work tirelessly to save lives every day. Saving the lives of those very miners’ succeeding generations.