A few months ago, Kathy Gieniec got an evening telephone call from David Wargo, the president of Summit Hill Borough Council.

Gieniec, chairman of the Summit Hill Recreation Commission, was told by Wargo that the commission should plan for a spectacular America’s 250th anniversary celebration.

“He wanted to go big,” Gieniec said. “He wanted bands. He wanted food.”

He also said, in that phone conversation, that he wasn’t feeling well.

Although the commission has only a handful of members, the 250th celebration held on Saturday was just as Wargo had dreamed and more. Besides the food and bands, there was a patriotic plane flyover, birthday cake with everyone singing “Happy Birthday” to America, and a huge basket raffle.

Unfortunately, Wargo didn’t live to see the celebration. He passed away on June 8 — less than a month before — after a battle with cancer.

A portion of the 250th anniversary celebration included a memorial service for Wargo, who had served on the council for about 10 years. Several speakers talked about his dedication to the community, as well as his desire and personal efforts to improve it.

Several dozen people attended the program in the Hilltop Community Center including his wife of 23 years, Katie Rebecca (Gelezinsky) Wargo, and his daughter, Kathryn Ann “Kai,” speakers included the council’s vice president, the borough’s mayor, a member of the Summit Hill Historical Society, the chairman of the Panther Valley Blueprint Community, the Summit Hill fire chief, the Emergency Management director of Summit Hill, Gieniec, and even a professional wrestler.

Gieniec, besides representing the Recreation Commission, also spoke as a representative of the Panther Valley High School Class of 1985, of which she and Wargo were both graduates.

She said the class took a collection for “Kai” with the intention to raise $1,985. However, well over $2,000 was raised which was given to the daughter to apply to her college education costs.

In wanting a large 250th celebration, the speakers relayed that Wargo always dreamed of bigger things for the community.

Kevin Steber, Emergency Management coordinator who had served with Wargo in the Summit Hill Fire Department and on the borough council two decades ago, said, “Some people leave a lasting mark on a community not because they seek recognition, but because they simply show up, do the work, and genuinely care. Dave was one of those people.”

Steber said a common question from Wargo was: “Do you need anything from me?”

He stressed, “Those weren’t just words. Dave meant them.”

Every speaker exemplified Wargo’s continued community service.

Steber said, “What I admired most about Dave was his character. He never forgot where he came from. He treated everyone with respect, listened before he spoke and he cared far more about people than politics.”

He urged everyone to follow Wargo’s example “by continuing to serve this community with the same integrity, compassion, and dedication that he showed every single day. By looking out for one another; by putting people first. And by remembering that public service is one of life’s greatest callings.”

The voices broke at times for several of the speakers as they fondly remember working with Wargo.

Joseph Weber, the council vice president, said he met Wargo when they both ran for public office but had since become close friends.

He said that for all the time he dedicated to the community, his “priority was the time he gave to his family.”

“One of the most powerful testaments to this was the night Kai graduated from high school,” Weber said. Wargo wasn’t able to attend the dedication, but watched it on a computer screen.

“When they called her name, I don’t know if I ever saw more joy on his face,” Weber said.

John Dowling, head of the Panther Valley Blueprint Community, said of Wargo’s community commitment, “He gave his time. He gave his energy, he gave his knowledge, and most importantly, he gave his heart.”

Dowling said, “One of the things that always stood out to me about Dave was that the work was never about him. Anything he had his hands in was never for the betterment of Dave. It was always about the community.”

Fire Chief Shawn Hoben recalled growing up with Wargo in Summit Hill, but also memorialized him for his “work that went on behind the scenes.”

Lou Vermillion, of the Summit Hill Historical Society, labeled Wargo “a dreamer.” He said, “He always wanted more for Summit Hill.”

Vermillion also served on the GAR Cemetery Board, noting at one time the cemetery had financial difficulties with only about $2,000 on hand. Wargo took over the presidency of the board and within one year the treasury increased to $15,000.

Mayor Karen Ruzicka said, “He had a clear vision for what Summit Hill could become.”

At one time, Wargo served as a professional wrestling manager, going by the name of “The Director.”

A wrestling friend, Tyler Calkins, who wrestles by the name of Devin Thrasher, said, “I think that name fit him well. Dave was exactly that director not only in wrestling but in life.”

At the end of his talk, Calking ran the ceremonial wrestling bell 10 times “in a salute to honor those who have passed.

He asked for silence during the bell ringing, “but after I need everyone to get loud, clap, cheer, stomp your feet so hopefully the big guy can hear us up there.”

The audience response after the bell ringing was resounding.