Our hearts go out to the families of Sean Dugan and Jeremy Gilroy. If you knew either Sean or Jeremy, I am positive you'll agree there are no words to describe how much these two men meant to us.
"When I first got hired Cemline I didn't think I was going to make it. Because I couldn't pass the weld test. I remember Sean having faith in me and telling me not to worry. I don't think I would've gotten through that time without him." Evan Stresky 9445-08 Unit secretary / Website Advent. If you have the time please read this touching article from the Trib-Live.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The recent deaths of two men from the Lower Valley have stunned the people who knew and cared about them.
Sean Dugan, 58, of Springdale was found dead Tuesday in the Allegheny River. He had been missing since Oct. 30.
The body of Jeremy Gilroy, 42, of Verona was recovered Wednesday afternoon from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh not far from Acrisure Stadium.
Gilroy jumped from the Hulton Bridge after crashing his vehicle on the bridge Nov. 7.
Myron Bynum, a United Steelworkers Local No. 9445 member, board member and NextGen Committee chairman, confirmed Friday both men were members of the same union local.
“When I first heard, I was shocked. We had a meeting at work, and management addressed the news,” Bynum said. “We lost two men in our local in the last weeks. We all grieve as one, because we all grieve as locals.”
Bynum, 50, of Penn Hills said he was in a state of shock over hearing the news of his friend and co-worker Gilroy.
Bynum recalled socializing with Gilroy during his shifts at American Beverage Corp. in Verona, where Gilroy worked for the past 15 years.
“He was a good worker, showed up every day,” Bynum said of Gilroy. “It makes me so sad that I could be working along with someone that was dealing with issues. That’s the problem with some of us men: We don’t confide what we’re going through. I lost a friend.”
Bynum later learned Gilroy was experiencing health issues and recently had been hospitalized. He was released just days before he wrecked his car on the Hulton Bridge.
“We loved Jeremy. He was our family member. I want anyone reading this to know we loved him,” Bynum said. “You never know what mental health will make you do.”
Bynum said Gilroy lived by himself.
According to his obituary, Gilroy “was the kindest person you would ever meet.” He would do anything to make sure those around him were happy, and enjoyed spending time with friends, playing poker, bowling and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
His obituary remembered him as a fantastic writer and someone happy with the simple things in life: his family, friends and his faith.
“He had a heart of gold,” the obituary said.
His obituary included a statement from his family regarding the efforts of river rescue crews in searching for and recovering his body: “The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the local and city municipalities for their efforts in bringing Jeremy home and giving their family peace.”
Riverview High School Principal Eric Hewitt released a statement after hearing about the 1999 graduate’s death.
“The Riverview community deeply mourns the tragic loss of one of our esteemed alumni, Mr. Gilroy,” Hewitt said. “Our heartfelt condolences extend to his friends and family during this difficult time.”
The investigation into Gilroy’s death is being handled by Pittsburgh Police.
Dugan recalled fondly
Dugan was known by those growing up on Marion Avenue in Springdale as the “funny bone,” said neighbor Robin Kovel Timko, now of Oakmont.
He was a year older than her. Growing up, she recalled the families and children living on the street, playing kickball and freeze tag under the street lights, and other games with the neighbor kids.
Dugan came from a great family, Timko said. Timko said she felt fortunate to have grown up with Dugan and his siblings.
She remembered Dugan’s “unmistakable voice,” like a happy, musical, sing-songy tune. Hearing him call your name put a smile on your face, she said.
“When you think of Sean Dugan, you think of that happy voice,” Timko said.
Dugan graduated from Springdale High School in 1983.
While Timko had many fond memories of Dugan, she recalled an instance when they were both in high school, riding a bus from Springdale High School to the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center in Monroeville. One day, while sitting on the bus at the high school, a state trooper pulled in behind them, blocking them in, she said. The bus driver got on his radio to find out why the trooper was behind the bus.
Turns out, some boys on the bus mooned a bus on the turnpike — that happened to be transporting Catholic nuns; they turned the bus driver in.
“That bus ride was just the best part of the school day,” Timko said. “You’d be trapped on that bus with Sean Dugan, and it would be a 45-minute comedy show!”
Two summers ago, Timko ran into Dugan twice in one weekend. She’s thankful for that time they had, sitting and reminiscing about Marion Avenue, Springdale and life.
Pete Sharkins of New Kensington recalled Dugan’s memorable voice, recognized by everyone who knew him. Sharkins grew up in Cheswick and knew Dugan in the fifth grade.
“He always, clear back to fifth grade, had a smile on his face,” Sharkins said.
Even as they’d run into each other as adults, it would be like no time had passed, he said.
“He was everybody’s friend,” Sharkins said.
Jolie Carnahan was another of Dugan’s neighbors growing up on Marion Avenue. While Dugan was six years older than her, their families grew up together. She recalled many Christmases at the Dugan home, as well as graduations, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
“If you were lucky enough to grow up in a small town like Springdale and with a guy like Sean Dugan, you were lucky enough,” Carnahan said.
Growing up in Springdale in the 1970s and ’80s was like a Norman Rockwell painting, Carnahan said. Everyone knew everyone and trusted them, hung out together and could count on each other.
Carnahan remembered heavy snows where Dugan and some of his friends would gather around Colfax Street, ready to push cars up the hill if they got stuck.
“He is in every childhood memory I can think of,” she said.
As they grew older, she would recall running into Dugan around town. He had a voice and laughter that was recognizable and infectious, she said.
Carnahan described Dugan as someone who was happy, welcoming and respectful to all.
“I would describe him as family,” she said.
Dugan could get along with anyone, friend Jim Bosman said.
“He treated people the way he wanted to be treated. Smiling, laughing, respecting adults and helping anyone in any way he could,” Bosman said. “That’s because he was raised that way. We were all raised that way. That’s why our neighborhood got along so well.”
Bosman said as they got older and went their separate ways, Dugan always made a point to talk to him whenever they’d see each other. He recalled Dugan always speaking first, saying, “Jimbo, how’s it going?”
“I wish everyone could be kind and friendly as Sean was,” Bosman said.
Jan Zastawniak also grew up on Marion Avenue. She said all the families on the street were very close.
“Sean was always the happy person,” she said. “He could make you smile, make you laugh.”
Dugan would always say hello, and reach out and be a helping hand, she said.
“When people say, ‘Oh, he’s a character,’” Zastawniak said, “That was him.”
