Pittston span to get new name

PITTSTON – The Water Street Bridge connecting Pittston and West Pittston might be getting a new name.

The two communities want to rename the span the Firefighters Memorial Bridge in honor of two fallen firefighters who lost their lives in a 1993 blaze.

Luzerne County Commissioners must approve a request from Pittston Mayor Joe Keating and West Pittston Mayor William Goldsworthy to change the name. They hope to install bronze plaques on both sides of the blue metal bridge.

Keating and Goldsworthy, both former firefighters, want the county-owned bridge renamed in honor of the two volunteer firefighters who died while battling a structure fire on North Main Street in Pittston in March 1993.

John F. Lombardo, 25, of Pittston, and Leonard C. Insalaco II, 20, of West Pittston, died from smoke inhalation after the building collapsed on them. Their bodies were discovered hours later in the rubble.

Commissioner Stephen A. Urban requested representatives from both cities attend a work session or public meeting to answer any questions officials or the public may have. Commissioners are researching to determine if a resolution must be passed to rename the bridge, he said.

People who die serving in the military get structures named in their honor, so why shouldn’t “two young boys who lost their lives fighting a fire” get this bridge named after them while protecting the community, he said.

Calling firefighters “forgotten heroes” Goldsworthy said volunteer firefighters don’t get the recognition they deserve for all the time, training and dedication to serve the community they put in.

“Renaming the bridge would be a great honor for the two young men who lost their lives,” Goldsworthy said. “It will be a great honor to honor all the volunteer firefighters.”

Dr. Joseph Lombardo said his son didn’t become a firefighter to gain recognition or awards, but to help others, which his son believed is what everyone should do.

“You don’t do it for what people will think of you. You do it because you love to do it,” the elder Lombardo said regarding his son’s philosophy on life.