Mirror photo by Matt Chulera / State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, shows the bridge carrying Route 22 over Howells Run in Cambria Township by Tsikaras sons (left to right) Michael (From left to right) Jim Tsikalas, E. Michael Tsikalas, and Gust Tsikalas announcing the naming of the G. Tsikalas Memorial Bridge.
EVENSBURG — Dozens of friends, family and community leaders gathered at the Ebensburg VFW to honor Michael G., a borough president, Cambria County representative, youth soccer coach and a role model for the many who knew him. . In memory of Tsikaras.
Mr. Tsikaras, who joined the Navy at age 17 just days before the Normandy landings, was named in his honor during a dedication ceremony Friday on the Route 22 bridge over Howells Run in Cambria Township. .
A bill introduced by state Rep. Frank Burns, a Cambria Democrat, to dedicate a bridge in Chikaras' honor passed the state House of Representatives unanimously in April. The bill was later passed by the state Senate and signed into law.
Burns said bridge dedications are usually for “a select few” who lost their lives in war or in the line of duty. But Burns said that was not the case for Tsikaras, who died on May 18, 2022, at the age of 95, noting that Tsikaras was “a good citizen who was always willing to do his part to give back.” did.
Burns said he first met Chikaras in 2014 while taking photos with veterans in Ebensburg. He said that each time the two met afterward, Mr. Tsikaras was “genuinely happy” to meet Barnes, and Mr. Barnes was “grateful” to have him as a friend.
“If you can have that kind of impact on people just by interacting with them, that's a true hero. That's a true hero in our community,” Burns said.
Cambria County Veterans Services Director Philip Rice said Tsikaras was a role model, coach and mentor to many people. “He definitely had a huge impact on my life,” Rice said.
Tsikaras, who was born in Uniontown, was “incredibly proud” of his Greek heritage, family and community, according to the ceremony program. Grandsons Manny Tsikaras and Mike Tsikaras also spoke at the ceremony.
According to the program, Tsikaras was honorably discharged from the Navy at the end of World War II and returned to Ebensburg to work at his family's Highway Diner. Tsikalas and his brother Spero continued to run the diner after their father retired, the program said, adding that he coached elementary school football for more than 30 years at both Holy Name Elementary School and Ebensburg Elementary School.
Mr. Tsikalas served as mayor of Ebensburg from 1974 to 1994 and was instrumental in Lake Rowena revitalization projects as well as the popular Lake Rowena fishing program, said his son, E. Michael Tsikalas. Mr. Tsikaras also played a key role in developing the Ebensburg Main Street project and later served as Cambria County representative from 1980 to 2000, his son said.
“I think the only people who liked my dad being mayor more than him were my brother Tony and I, and we took advantage of that,” Tsikalas said, adding that they rode snowmobiles around town. , adding that at times he “went a little too fast.” ”
“The police would say, 'Well, those are the mayor's kids,'” E. Michael Tsikalas said. “When that angle didn't work out, my brother said, 'Well, you might know my brother, Jim.' He's a state trooper.”
E. Michael Tsikalas said he wants his father to be remembered for his kindness as well as for all he did for the community.
“He was the kindest person I've ever known,” E. Michael Tsikaras said. “So when you cross a bridge and see his name, remember that too.”
Mirror Staff writer Matt Churella can be reached at 814-946-7520.
