Pete Vizza recalled for life of service as Johnstown councilman, school board member, Tribune-Democrat photographer

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Pete Vizza recalled for life of service as Johnstown councilman, school board member, Tribune-Democrat photographer

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Pete Vizza used his photographs to capture moments of celebration and sorrow, historic significance and day-to-day life on the pages of his hometown newspaper, The Tribune-Democrat, for almost three decades.

After leaving the paper, Vizza continued a life of service, volunteering with organizations, serving on the Greater Johnstown School District Board of Directors and spending time on Johnstown City Council.

He was a beloved son, brother, uncle, friend and co-worker.

Vizza died Thursday at age 68 after what his brother Paul Vizza described as years of dealing with a “very serious, catastrophic illness at a relatively young age.”

“Everyone said the same thing about Peter – he was selfless, one of those people who loved everyone,” his brother, Vince Vizza, said.

“And what we see is everyone loved Peter. He was always there to help others out. … He touched so many lives in such a positive way. Anyone who knew him knew him from an act of kindness, a kind word, a hand to help somebody. Big heart, amazing, amazing person.”

On-the-spot coverage

Vizza worked at The Tribune-Democrat from 1976 until 2005.

Vince Vizza recalled how his brother would have a police scanner constantly running at home. With his camera at the ready, Vizza would wait to hear of some newsworthy event that he would need to go photograph, just like what happened when a deadly flood struck Johnstown on July 19-20, 1977.

“All of Ash Street was messed up; Fronheiser Street was in pieces,” Vizza recalled in a 2017 article commemorating the 40th anniversary of the flood. “I just started taking pictures.”

He later joined Army National Guardsmen on a helicopter flight to deliver supplies to people in Seward that was not accesible by road.

“It was maybe 48 hours later, but it was like a third-world country,” Vizza said in the article. “They were desperate.”

Years later, he was among The Tribune-Democrat photographers who recorded the horror, tragedy, resolve and community spirit when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Somerset County during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Vizza also photographed countless activities, including high school sports, political events and social gatherings.

“Pete was an institution at The Tribune-Democrat, and I was fortunate to work with him for many years,” Tribune-Democrat Publisher Chip Minemyer said.

“His photography work was always top-notch, and he was the nicest person you could ever meet. We’re all very saddened at word of his passing.

“Many significant moments in Johnstown’s history were seen and understood through the lens of Pete’s camera. He took our readers to the news with his images.”

Vizza served as president of the Communications Workers of America 14815/Johnstown Typographical Union 137 at the newspaper.

“Talented, talented photo- grapher and definitely he had a knack for getting that great shot that told the story, engaged the reader,” said the union’s current president, Mike Mastovich, a longtime sportswriter. “As a union president, he was really effective and cared about the members of the union, but also making sure that the product was a great product for the public to read. And the most important thing about Pete is he was just the most friendly, caring, kind person who would basically do anything to help you out.”

‘Wonderful person’

Vizza graduated from Greater Johnstown High School.

Decades later, he worked with the ******* College Access Center, a program that helps high school students who are interested in continuing with post-secondary education in college or trade schools. He also served on the school board.

“We could always count on him to build those great relationships (with post-secondary schools),” Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Amy Arcurio said. “He just had a wonderful way with people.

“We knew that as long as he was in that seat those relationships would continue. He did that for a number of years before he officially retired from that position, and then he did spend a few years on the school board of directors really just ensuring that that same work was happening, those same opportunities were happening from a school board director position, building policies and initiatives from that leadership position to ensure that that work continued for our students.”

Arcurio described Vizza as “a wonderful person, wonderful human being all around.”

On Johnstown City Council, Vizza was selected as deputy mayor by his fellow members in 2014.

“First and foremost, I appreciate the confidence these guys have placed in me,” said Vizza at the time in The Tribune-Democrat. “I’ll do whatever I can for the people that elected me. I’m very grateful for their support at the polls and the support we’re getting in council. We don’t always agree on stuff, but at the end of the day, we all want what’s going to benefit the people that we serve and we’re honored to serve.”

Current Mayor Frank Janakovic served with Vizza.

“My involvement with him on the council was he was always a standup guy dealing with our community and our city,” Janakovic said.

‘Always positive’

Paul Vizza recalled his brother as a “selfless” person with a “sunny temperament.”

Vince Vizza said he was a “great brother” who was “sort of a second father” to his nine nieces and nephews.

“Peter had this way of developing friendships easily,” Paul Vizza said. “He maintained friendships. He was a good friend to many, many people. He was a wonderful friend to his brothers, his family. We can’t think of a better role model for young people. Peter providing his expertise and friendship to students at Johnstown High School just seemed so appropriate because he was of great moral character, great integrity, tireless energy, always ready to help others.”

Both men watched their brother go through his years-long illness without complaining.

“He faced it and he was strong,” Paul Vizza said. “He was strong until 6:30 (Thursday) morning.”

Vince Vizza added: “He always stayed strong. He was always, always positive. That was his motto, that’s what he always told our kids, that’s what he always told everyone. He’d leave you by saying ‘stay strong.’”

Dave Sutor is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5056. Follow him on

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