A long-time Lewis Run borough official passed away on Wednesday, marking the end of an era in the tight-knit community. Former mayor Albert N. “Abbie” Montecalvo, 92, of 5 Irvine St., passed away on Wednesday at UPMC Hamot in Erie. With 16 terms and 56 years as mayor, it is believed Montecalvo is the longest-running mayor in the state — and possibly the nation. Montecalvo also served for four years on borough council, making his political service to the borough around 60 years. During his time as mayor, he has seen a number of positive changes to the borough and has taken part in improvements to the borough’s sewer, water, garbage, roadways and industry. Not only was Montecalvo a life-long community servant, but those who knew him have described him as a man who was as good of a friend as he was a public figure. “The town lost a good friend when they lost Abbie,” said Vincent Montecalvo, current Lewis Run mayor and nephew of Abbie Montecalvo. “If I had to sum up Abbie: a man that, number one, loved his country, loved his faith, loved his God, he loved Lewis Run, and most of all he loved his family. “Those guys from that generation, they grew up in the Depression. They didn’t have a lot of money,” said Vincent Montecalvo. However, Abbie Montecalvo “grew up in a very loving family and did his duty in World War II.” He related that his uncle married his first wife, Jean, and had a family that worked and served his community. “He did the best he could.” Despite dealing with losses such as his first wife, who was “fairly young” when she died, as well as the loss of a daughter, the elder Montecalvo made the best of life. “When you think about things like that, some men might turn bitter,” said the younger Montecalvo. “Abbie couldn’t be bitter. He always kept his wit. Some men, they might have lost their faith. He wouldn’t lose his faith.” The younger Montecalvo considers his uncle “an extension of my father,” Jimmy Montecalvo, Abbie Montecalvo’s brother. “I couldn’t have asked for two better role models to grow up with.” In later years, Vincent Montecalvo said his uncle was “my best friend,” explaining he would meet with him every Saturday. His uncle was reliable, as well. “You could set your watch by him.” “He was a classy guy,” too, said the younger Montecalvo, who added that his uncle was a “sharp dresser” who always had his shoes polished and his pants and shirt pressed. Lewis Run Borough Council president Irv Swartz knew Montecalvo not only as mayor, but also as a co-worker at Penelec. “I’ve know Abbie for a long time,” he said. “Abbie was a great man. He knew a lot of people,” said Swartz, who attributed the efforts of Montecalvo and former long-time borough council president Frank Langianese as the reason Lewis Run is what it is today. In May 2012, Montecalvo’s friend and political companion — Langianese — passed away. The pair had served together on council for 56 years. In 2009, Montecalvo and Langianese were featured in the Wall Street Journal for their more than 50 years served together by that time on borough council. They were both 87 years old when the article ran. Montecalvo “always had a great attitude,” said Swartz, explaining the former mayor had a patient approach to solving problems the borough faced, taking each step one at a time. “He was never in a hurry.” His approach also included looking for “what we can do to benefit people.” Montecalvo was also a well-known face at The Bradford Club and Pennhills Club, as he bartended at both for many years. “I’ve know Abbie for 38 years as a person, friend and trusted co-worker who was always supportive and willing to lend a helpful hand,” said Dan Reiley, manager of The Bradford Club. “When I first met Abbie, I was amazed at how helpful he was to his brother, Jim Montecalvo, who at the time was the manager of The Bradford Club,” said Reiley. “Abbie continued to be loyal and hardworking when I became manager. He was a charismatic man of integrity and devotion and was always eager to serve, whether as mayor, bartender or as a knowledgeable friend giving helpful advice. He will greatly be missed.” For his 90th birthday in 2012, The Bradford Club fulfilled a lifelong wish by presenting Montecalvo with a trip to Italy, the homeland of his father. Another friend and co-worker, Elmer DeLucia, related that, “Abbie and I worked together for about 50 years at the Pennhills Club.” He recalled that during their bartending days, “we made drinks so fast,” those served “had a hard time getting them down.” DeLucia said all the years the pair worked together, they “never had a harsh word.” Montecalvo was “an incredible man” and “one of the best friends I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with.” Regarding his public service, state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, said Montecalvo “was a true statesman and a public servant. He was really dedicated to his community and the good people of Lewis Run.” Causer related how well Montecalvo and Langianese worked together on council. “They ran that community for so long.” For years Causer could count on the pair to be there taking care of borough business. “You always knew they would be there at noon at the municipal building.” Montecalvo “was a true friend and he will definitely be missed,” said Causer. “He knew everybody and everything going on in the community.” Neighboring municipal officials also mourned the loss of the former mayor. Bradford Township Supervisor chairman Steve Mascho said he was “saddened” to hear of Montecalvo’s passing. “He was good at what he did. I know he’s going to be missed by anybody who knew or worked with him.” Similarly, Lafayette Township Supervisor chairman John Ryan appreciated Montecalvo, both as a public figure and on a personal level. “Abbie was a politician in the old tradition, a man of integrity,” said Ryan. “Although we differed on issues that involved our municipalities, he provided thoughtful counsel, always doing what he thought was best for Lewis Run. “Personally, we always remained the best of friends,” Ryan said. “He was just a wonderful man.” Bradford City Mayor Tom Riel related that Montecalvo was “very kind. He dressed like a gentleman and acted like a gentleman.” Riel said when he’d see Montecalvo, “He would always call me ‘mayor,’” so Riel would call him “mayor” back. “He always had a smile and a kind word.” Riel noted the state mayor’s association recently created an award named after Montecalvo to honor long-serving mayors. In 2012, the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania named him Outstanding Mayor. Since that time, the association has designated the award the Albert N. Montecalvo Mayor of the Year Award. Montecalvo, who had served on borough council since the 1950s, served until Dec. 31, 2013. He did not seek re-elected after that term. During his most recent term, Montecalvo announced that he would not be running for re-election. His final term ended Dec. 31, 2013, when he passed seat to his nephew. Over the years, Abbie Montecalvo’s service has included other organizations, including the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce; Alehanna Corp.; the Anti-Poverty Agency serving Elk, McKean, Potter and Cameron counties; the McKean Hospital Authority; and McKean County Economic Development Authority. Born in Lewis Run on Jan. 12, 1922, Montecalvo was a son of the late V. James and Theresa Capozzi Montecalvo. On Sept. 18, 1948, in Custer City, he married E. Jean McGraw Montecalvo, who died on Feb. 4, 1975. Abby was a 1940 graduate of St. Bernard High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Sept. 15, 1943, served during World War II and was honorably discharged on March 2, 1946. Later, he attended Edinboro. He had been employed with Penelec for 30 years. He worked as a bartender at The Bradford Club and Pennhills Club, where he also served in the past as assistant general manager. He was a member of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church in Lewis Run. Surviving are his long-time companion, Tilly Smith, with whom he resided; a daughter, Christie (the late John) Whitlow of Lewis Run; two grandchildren, John N. (Krista L.) Whitlow and Jean M. (Sam Tsepelis III) Whitlow; five great-grandchildren, Morgan Whitlow, Mallory Whitlow and Jake Whitlow, Matthew Tsepelis and Holly Tsepelis; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one daughter, Natalie J. Montecalvo, who died May 13, 2002; one brother, James J. Montecalvo; and three sisters, Antonette Montecalvo, Josephine Montecalvo and Mary Montecalvo. Family will be receiving friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc., 33 South Ave. Friends are also invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Monday in Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church with the Rev. Steven Collins, pastor, as celebrant. Memorials, if desired, may be made to Mary Ann Montecalvo Memorial Fund, c/o Mrs. Sharon LeRoy, Office of University Development, Penn State, 1 Old Main Bldg. University Park, PA 16802; or the Natalie Montecalvo Memorial Fund, c/o McKean County SPCA, P.O. Box 113, Bradford, PA 16701. Online condolences may be made at www.hollenbeckcahill.com.