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Jim Petruzzi

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Release Date: 03/04/2024

Barb Kelly show art Barb Kelly

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Barb is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville, and she has always cared deeply about her neighbors and neighborhood. She grew up in the 6th Ward and now lives in the 9th Ward. She was a hairdresser to lots of residents over the years. Barb shares a lot of memories around her childhood, family, and civic engagement. To this day, she serves as a key member of the Lawrenceville Fireworks Committee which puts on Pittsburgh’s longest running annual fireworks show. In 2024, it will be the 78th year of fireworks in the neighborhood! Barb is kind and always there to help a neighbor. You can find her...

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Lenny Garlicki show art Lenny Garlicki

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Lenny is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville and is proud to be from the neighborhood. He has been singing for most of his life at Holy Family and the national anthem at the Lawrenceville Independence Day Celebration. Lenny shares memories of working at Pittsburgh Piping, meeting his wife, Marge, and raising his kids in the neighborhood.  

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Judy Stupka show art Judy Stupka

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Judy Stupka is a lifelong resident of the 9th Ward. She shares memories of growing up with her 9 siblings in the neighborhood. She shares a fun memory of riding on a neighbor’s pony on her street and the fun of playing in the neighborhood streets. She shares the implications of the neighborhood evolving over time and how she has grown older with her family in the neighborhood.  

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Jim Petruzzi show art Jim Petruzzi

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Jim shares about growing up in a Lawrenceville that was not so safe and his experiences as a former postal worker. In his reflections, he shares the history of both Lawrenceville and Lawrenceville United. He was involved on the LU Board in the early days and assisted with the Block Watches that were determined to make the neighborhood safer. The work of Jim and fellow neighbors helped to shape Lawrenceville as we know it today.  

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Jenny Skrinjar show art Jenny Skrinjar

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Jenny is a lifelong 10th Ward resident. She reflects on how the neighborhood has changed over the years with regards to homeownership, religion, safety, and family size. Jenny helped to form Lawrenceville United in 2001 with fellow neighbors who were determined to increase neighborhood safety and improve residents’ quality of life. She was a leader of the monthly Block Watches and Jenny’s advocacy played a large role in making Lawrenceville safer and thriving.  

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Jackie Murray show art Jackie Murray

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Jackie is a 9th Warder and she shares her memories of the neighborhood, including the pizza shop she owned with her husband, the Pizza Supreme, whose number remains up right by the GetGo on 40th Street. She reflects on the changes to Butler Street, her family’s adventures, and her different jobs. Now, Jackie can often be found walking around the neighborhood with a big smile and a hello for everyone she sees.   

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Edward Kacpryzk show art Edward Kacpryzk

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Edward was born in Wales and his family immigrated to the USA and Lawrenceville when he was young. He spent a lot of time at the Boys Club growing up and beginning his creative endeavors in art. He discusses meeting his wife and raising his family and how his life and the neighborhood have evolved over the years.  

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Mark Lewandowski show art Mark Lewandowski

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Mark is a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville, specifically of the 9th Ward. Mark shares lots of memories about growing up and staying in the neighborhood – enjoying boxing at the Boys Club, attending Holy Family, and living nearby his family. He remains dedicated to the neighborhood, and even when others would suggest he move away when the neighborhood was considered less safe, Mark always felt at home in the community and worked towards making the neighborhood safer.   

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Pat Walsh show art Pat Walsh

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Pat shares memories of growing in Lawrenceville during the 1930s and the businesses and community members she remembers very distinctly, including: Penn Baking, St. Mary’s Lyceum, fortune tellers, hair salons, and more. You never had to travel too far out of the neighborhood to get exactly what you needed. She shares memories about friends and family members and how the neighborhood has shifted overtime.  

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Irene Chmill show art Irene Chmill

Wisdom Keepers from Lawrenceville United

Irene grew up in the 10th Ward with her 8 siblings before moving to Morningside when she was in her 20s. She reflects on her childhood – playing in the alleys, walking on Butler St, swimming at Leslie Park, and buying ice cream at the Tastee-Freez. Irene also reflects on her jobs and the community feel of the neighborhood as she was growing up.   

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Jim shares about growing up in a Lawrenceville that was not so safe and his experiences as a former postal worker. In his reflections, he shares the history of both Lawrenceville and Lawrenceville United. He was involved on the LU Board in the early days and assisted with the Block Watches that were determined to make the neighborhood safer. The work of Jim and fellow neighbors helped to shape Lawrenceville as we know it today.