Artie Trunzo's story about the Victory Bell

Before you read Artie's story, check out this preliminary online report from Sept. 18, 2008, which Phil Harris shared: Conference rivals battle for Victory Bell.

What's missing from that report is the story of how the legendary Victory Bell made its way back to where it belonged. They say alumni helped save the Victory Bell tradition, but give no details.

Not surprisingly, Artie is one of those alumni.

Here's his story:

I still get my hair cut, what's left, at Frank's Barber Shop in Pitcairn. I always go there on Saturday. The same crew is there every week - - the older guys from Pitcairn High School.

I always heard talk about this Victory Bell. The Bell, which was kept on some sort of cart, was from a locomotive from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Pitcairn teams were called the "Railroaders."

The Bell Game was between Pitcairn High School and Trafford High. The last time they played, Pitcairn won and kept the Bell.

As we know, Pitcairn High became Gateway High, and the Bell was forgotten.

When they where cleaning out Pitcairn High, they were going to junk the Bell. A man by the name of Walker, who worked at the school, saw it in the junk pile and took it home. It remained at Mr. Walker's home for some time in his garage.

His wife was our kindergarten teacher. His son went to Thiel College and belonged to a fraternity. He took the Bell to Thiel.

During Thiel's football games, the pledges would run up and down the sidelines ringing the Bell when Thiel scored.

Pitcairn had its Centennial Celebration, and the High School Alumni wanted to bring the Bell back. But no one knew where it was.

During one of those Saturday haircuts, I was listening to them wishing to find the Bell. I told them the story I heard. They asked if I would help them.

I called Mrs. Walker's daughter. I got her number from Frank the Barber. She verified my Bell story, and gave me the Fraternity name.

I called the Fraternity, and they agreed to let the Alumni use the Bell for the Centennial. I agreed to return the Bell to them after the Centential Celebration.

The Alumni agreed. They sent a delegation to Thiel to return the prized Bell.

The Bell spent its life in the front yard of the Fraternity. Snow, rain, etc. The Alumni brought it back, cleaned it up and made a new cart for it.

This is without a doubt the most cherised artifact from Pitcairn High School.

As a Pitcairner, it was an honor for me to be involved with the High School Alumni. These were people who went to school with our mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts.

But even better, it was great to bring the Class of '67 into contact with them. They always asked if I graduated from Pitcairn High. I said, "No. Gateway Class of '67!"

They took the Bell back as promised. A few years later Rullo Vecchio, a former Pitcairn Council member and Democratic Chairman, made arrangements to bring the Bell back permanently.

If you go to the Gateway Gators Web site, there are pictures of the "Bell Game."

fyi: Gateway kept the Victory Bell, as the Gators defeated the Penn-Trafford Warriors 44-8. It was basically over at the half with the score 41-0.

Donald Powers, 1949-2007

Donald Powers' tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Donald's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

The only photos from the yearbooks that I was sure were him were his class pictures. If you know of any other images of him from the Portavians or if you have any other pictures of him, please send copies to me. Instructions are at the end of his tribute page.

I haven't contacted his family yet. I took the obit info from the obit that was published in his local newspaper. It appears that he was married more than once, but I have nothing on that yet.

What can you add?

Alan Bennett, 1948-1996

Alan Bennett's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.

Then click Alan's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. I'm hoping to get more snapshots of Alan and more biographical information to fill the page out more.

Please send along your comments and stories about Alan by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of his tribute page.

Thanks, Gators!

Rosemary Ciufo Brown, 1949-2006

Rosemary Ciufo's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page.

Then click Rose's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

I wasn't able to identify her in any Portavian photos, other than class pictures. Please tell me if you know of any yearbook pictures in which Rose appears.

I'm waiting for her son to send some family photos to add to the page.

Please send along your comments and stories about Rose by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of her tribute page.

Our Gators are #3 in the country!

Yes, fellow classmates, it's true. Go to the USA Today web site and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and check it out....

Go Gators !

Gary Zummo, 1949-1968

Get your hankies ready. Gary Zummo's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Gary's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

Doubly tragic, Gary's brother Vince (Gateway Class of '66) died in a helicopter crash in 1981. Details about his death are included on Gary's page.

Chuck Crosby, if you happen to read this, please stop and see Mrs. Zummo the next time you visit your sister. She regrets her reaction to you when she saw you shortly after Gary's death. It would mean a lot to her if you'd stop and say, "Hi."

Gators, please send along your comments and stories about Gary and Vince by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of Gary's tribute page. Other pictures would be nice too.

Patricia Frohn Balash, 1949-2004

Patty Frohn's tribute page has been posted on our "Gators: Gone but not forgotten" Web site.

Click the link in the sidebar on the righthand side of this blog page. Then click Pat's name on the list of Deceased Classmates.

This time we lacked photos of Pat from the Portavian with the exception of her senior portrait (and underclass portraits that I didn't use). So I filled out the page with a couple of family photos provided by her daughter.

I was surprised to learn about Pat's taste in music. On her page, you'll find a link to a YouTube video of her favorite song. Be sure to check it out.

Please send along your comments and stories about Pat by adding them as comments on this blog item or by sending them to me. Instructions are at the bottom of her tribute page.