Bestwick built Fairview into one of region’s top football programs

Even though Fairview High School had one of the smallest enrollments in the Erie County League, Jack Bestwick built the Tigers into a powerhouse during his 21-year reign as head football coach.

Fairview School District officials thought so much of Bestwick, who died in Florida on Oct. 3 at the age of 84, that they voted to name the school’s football stadium for him.

Remembering: Fairview coaching great Jack Bestwick dies at 84, remembered by his former players

Friday's tribute:Fairview High School, former players pay tribute to late football coach Jack Bestwick

Bestwick’s teams not only won many championships, but he also developed players who went on to star in college and beyond. He could be a taskmaster at times but was universally respected.

In the 1980s, when the Erie Times-News sports department refused to feature the 100-plus member all-star team submitted by ECL coaches, Bestwick paid me a visit. He asked why, and I said that having so many players listed on the team watered down the honor and that college football scouts would disregard it entirely.

Bestwick said he understood, and the next day the coaches submitted a trimmed-down list of 30 all-stars. He had that much influence among his colleagues.

Bestwick was a legend in every respect.

● John Paul “JP” Dellacamera, who worked in sports broadcasting in Erie early in his career before hitting the big time, recently called his final game for Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union. Dellacamera, 70, will take over in 2023 as Fox’s lead announcer at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

● Erie bankruptcy judge Tom Agresti brought distinction to his community and family during his 19 years on the bench. Agresti, 71, who recently announced that he plans to retire in February 2023, has been one of Erie’s most respected lawyers and judges during his long career.

It’s no surprise to those who knew his late father, Richard Agresti, another legendary Erie attorney, that Tom would follow easily in his footsteps.

More: Agresti retiring as Erie bankruptcy judge; federal appeals court to pick successor

● On the heels of new assignments several weeks ago for more than a dozen Erie Catholic pastors, Bishop Lawrence Persico appointed two of the diocese’s top administrators to lead local parishes.

Msgr. Edward Lohse, who is vicar general for the diocese, will continue in that role while taking over as pastor of St. Julia Parish. Likewise, the Rev. Nicholas Rouch will remain as Episcopal vicar for clergy as he becomes parochial administrator at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish until the appointment of a new pastor.

Persico also announced the retirement of Msgr. Bruce Allison, longtime parish priest and former headmaster at Cathedral Prep.

More: Bishop Persico reassigns dozens of pastors at Erie-area Catholic churches

● Tuesday is the last day to see the historic American flag that draped Abraham Lincoln’s casket in April 1865. The flag is on display on the second floor of the Watson-Curtze mansion. It’s one of the prized possessions of the Hagen History Center.

More: Erie's Watson-Curtze Mansion offers look at millionaire life of luxury from bygone era

● On Sept. 29, CNN anchor Michael Smerconish introduced former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who was being honored in Washington, D.C., by the National Organization on Disability. Smerconish called Ridge “The Pride of Erie, Pa., and Erie’s favorite son.” No argument there.

Steve Scully reports that Ridge, “who was in fine form,” received several standing ovations from the large crowd.

More: Tom Ridge backs Dr. Oz in the U.S. Senate race and is impressed by his 'desire to serve'

● Longtime Erie friends Joe and Anna Gehringer moved to North Carolina last week to be close to their daughter. Staff and customers at the Wegmans grocery store on Peach Street will miss Anna, who has worked there for years.

Joe became a familiar figure years ago when he took over Kokoros Hat Shop on State Street and made some of America’s finest cowboy hats. After that business sagged a bit, Joe went back to school to become a nurse and, later, a physical therapist. They are a wonderful couple and will be deeply missed by their many friends.

● The Ippa Pizza Truck, which has been operating for the past three months out of the parking lot at George’s Restaurant, 2614 Glenwood Park Ave., has become a popular destination. As the weather cools, the owners plan to move into George’s.

● A new Dunkin’ restaurant is nearing completion on West 26th Street in Millcreek Township near Buzz n' B's Aquarium & Pet Shop. It will be the latest Dunkin’, which used to be known as Dunkin’ Donuts, to open locally.

New restaurants: Barista's Roast in Corry, Rodney's Bar & Grill in Girard now open

● As the autumn leaves turn, one of the best places to hike in the region will be Penn State Behrend’s Wintergreen Gorge. The college recently completed $690,000 in trail improvement projects that will reduce erosion in the gorge while maintaining public access to the property. It is now ADA-accessible for the first time.

Wintergreen Gorge is a national heritage area on and adjacent to the Behrend campus.

2020: Behrend works to improve Wintergreen Gorge trails

● While walking recently to St. Joseph Catholic Parish’s Octoberfest on a Friday night, the booming voice of the football announcer at Erie Veterans Stadium could be heard. It reminded me of when we were kids living on East 27th Street and you could plainly hear Teddy Amendola announcing the football action.

“Satyshur back to pass, elected to run, before finally being brought down on the 30-yard line.”

What great memories.

Kevin Cuneo can be reached at Kevin.Cuneo1844@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Jack Bestwick remembered for success at Fairvies, respect of region