Mirror photo by Matt Churella / State Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, presents a proclamation naming the bridge carrying U.S. Route 22 over Howells Run in Cambria Township the Michael G. Tsikalas Memorial Bridge to Tsikalas’ sons (from left to right) Jim Tsikalas, E. Michael Tsikalas and Gust Tsikalas.

EBENSBURG — Dozens of friends, family and community leaders filled the Ebensburg VFW to memorialize the service Michael G. Tsikalas provided to the area as the borough’s mayor, Cambria County’s prothonotary, a youth football coach and a role model to many who knew him.

Tsikalas, who enlisted at the age of 17 in the Navy, days before the D-Day invasion of Normandy, had the bridge carrying U.S. Route 22 over Howells Run in Cambria Township named in his honor during a dedication ceremony Friday.

A bill introduced by state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, unanimously passed the state House of Representatives in April to dedicate the bridge in Tsikalas’ honor. The bill was later passed in the state Senate and signed into law.

Burns said bridge dedications are typically for “a very select few” whose lives were cut short, either in war or through service in their jobs. But that wasn’t the case with Tsikalas, who died May 18, 2022, at the age of 95, Burns said, noting Tsikalas was “an upstanding citizen always willing to do his part to give back.”

Burns said he first met Tsikalas in 2014 while taking a photo with veterans in Ebensburg. Every time they saw each other afterward, Tsikalas “was genuinely happy” to see Burns, who, in turn, was “appreciative” to have Tsikalas as his friend, he said.

“When you have that type of impact on people by just interacting with them, that’s what a true hero is. That’s the true heroes in our community,” Burns said.

According to Phillip Rice, Cambria County’s director of veteran services, Tsikalas was a role model, a coach and a mentor to many people. “He certainly had a significant impact on my life,” Rice said.

Born in Uniontown, Tsikalas was “incredibly proud” of his Greek heritage, his family and his community, according to the ceremony program. Manny and Mike Tsikalas, his grandchildren, also spoke during the ceremony.

The program states Tsikalas was honorably discharged from the Navy after World War II ended, returning to Ebensburg to work at his family’s business, the Hi-Way Diner. Tsikalas and his brother, Spero, continued running the diner after their father’s retirement, the program states, adding he was an elementary school football coach for over 30 years at both the Holy Name and Ebensburg grade schools.

Tsikalas served as Ebensburg’s mayor from 1974-94 and was instrumental in the Lake Rowena revitalization project, along with the lake’s popular fishing program, said E. Michael Tsikalas, his son. Tsikalas was also a vital part of developing the Ebensburg Main Street program and later served as the prothonotary of Cambria County from 1980-2000, his son said.

“I think the only two people who liked my dad being mayor more than him were my brother Tony and I. We took advantage of that,” Tsikalas said, adding they rode snowmobiles in the streets and would occasionally drive “a little too fast.”

“The police would say, ‘Well, that’s the mayor’s kids,'” E. Michael Tsikalas said. “When that angle didn’t work, my brother would say, ‘Well, maybe you know my brother, Jim. He’s a state trooper.'”

E. Michael Tsikalas said, in addition to all that his father did for the community, he hopes he’ll be remembered for his kindness.

“He was the kindest person I ever knew,” E. Michael Tsikalas said. “So, when you cross the bridge and see his name, please remember him for that, too.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.