BUTLER TWP — Two posthumous citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives that were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic were finally presented Thursday to a pair of grateful families.

State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, requested and received condolence resolutions from the state House to present to the widows of the late Guy Travaglio and Joe Steighner, both of whom served in her position in the 11th legislative district.

Travaglio died Sept. 7, 2019, at age 93. He served the 11th district for a decade, beginning in 1994.

Steighner, the youngest person elected to the 11th district, died Aug. 11, 2020, at age 69. He served the constituents of the 11th district from 1978 to 1994.

Both were Democrats.

Bonnie Travaglio said she was excited that her beloved Guy was being honored by the House of Representatives as she gazed at the many family members who attended the event at Mustello's office on Barracks Road.

“I can see him with a big smile on his face,” she said. “He would have loved having the family together.”

She said she is still going through Guy's earthly possessions, including the two roomfuls of albums and 45s he collected during his many decades as a disc jockey.

“It's always rough, but thank God he left me a wonderful family to lean on,” Travaglio said.

Christopher Steighner, the son of Joe and Joan Steighner, wore the dress uniform and medals he has earned as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Joan Steighner, accepted the resolution from Mustello.

“It speaks highly of Marci to recognize two predecessors of the other party,” Christopher Steighner said. “Serving the community was very important to Dad and being recognized for that, he would have been very honored.”

Mustello said the ceremony to present the resolutions was originally scheduled to occur in Harrisburg, but the virus eliminated that possibility.

She was thrilled to present the resolutions before about 25 of the Travaglio and Steighner family members.

“Joe and Guy wanted to leave this community better than they found it, and they left home each day with that goal,” Mustello said of the representatives' time in office. “It's important to recognize their legacy of community service.”

She said she first met Steighner when he invited her to his home to discuss the importance of bringing a casino to the area when she was a student at Slippery Rock University.

“Everything he did for this community just meant so much and carries over today,” Mustello said.

She recalled Travaglio as a longtime Mustello family friend who always had a smile for everyone.

Mustello said Travaglio was known in Harrisburg for badgering then-Gov. Ed Rendell for funding for various projects and programs in the 11th district.

“I'm told that when Gov. Rendell would see Guy walking down the hall, he would turn and run the other way or duck into the nearest doorway,” Mustello said, “but Guy was not harassing the governor, he was advocating for the 11th district.”

Fred Vero, Butler Township commissioner, served as chief of staff for both Steighner and Travaglio.

He recalled his first day on the job, when he nervously arrived at Steighner's house early for the trip to Harrisburg.

When no one answered the door after multiple rings of the doorbell and concerned pounding on the door, Vero drove to Point Plaza to use the pay phone to call the Butler Township Police.

“I asked them to come to his house,” Vero said. “Finally, Joe got up and came to the door and said, 'Why didn't you just come in and wake us up?'”

Vero said he is honored to have worked with both Steighner and Travaglio for 18 years because of their unwavering commitment to the people of the 11th district.

“Joe and Guy's No. 1 priority was to take care of their constituents in Butler County,” he said.

Travaglio's daughter, Deborah Williams, said she is glad her mother finally received the resolution, especially since the Mustello and Travaglio families were such good friends.

“It was very fitting that Marci gave it out,” Williams said.