Tyrone Christy

For many in Butler County, help is only a phone call away.

One of the men who made the Pennsylvania 211 Southwest program possible died Monday night.

Tyrone Christy, a former vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and current United Way board member, was one of a few people who made the program possible, according to Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche.

“He meant so much to the entire state of Pennsylvania in the work that he did,” said Osche, the former executive director of United Way of Butler County.

Pennsylvania 211 is a hot line and database that matches people and their needs with services of public use, like youth and child care programs, support for older adults and persons with disabilities and employment support.

The hot line's specialists provide referrals to basic human need resources, such as food banks, shelters and payment assistance programs.

Osche said she worked closely with Christy during the creation of the hot line, which is sponsored by United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania in collaboration with regional utility companies.

Osche said she didn't know Christy lived in the county when she met him.

“Few people have impacted me in the way that he did,” Osche said.

She said knew she needed him to hop on board with the United Way's plans of bringing the hot line to the region, but she never expected him to grab a shovel and feed coal to the engine.

Osche said Christy was always ready to work when called upon.

“He was not only the champion for 211, but he had a passion for making sure people were connected to the services they needed,” Osche said.

Osche said during their trips to Harrisburg they bonded and talked. She said it was during these trips when Christy revealed his true passion, even greater than his life's work.

It was his role as a husband and father.

Osche said that is how she will always remember Tyrone Christy.

“He was so courageous in the way he fought the battle. ... To have known him in that way and to know him as a husband and a father to his family was an honor for me.”

Osche said Christy is the second death this week mourned by members of the county community.

Corita Ann Bauldoff of Renfrew also died unexpectedly Saturday.

Bauldoff was well known for her volunteer efforts, knowledge and experience for many local nonprofit groups in the community, according to her obituary.

“The county this week lost two dear, dear friends to the community, who contributed so much, not just here, but across the entire state,” Osche said.