Faces of the Valley: Hank Commodore's mission to spread love and kindness
While recognition continues to pile up for Hank Commodore, the reward he cherishes most is seeing the children he’s helped grow into well-rounded adults.
Commodore, 76, has received three city proclamations, the most recent from Pittsburgh. He also has proclamations from New Kensington and Ford City for his charitable work.
The accolades don’t end there. Commodore, of Leechburg, has been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame for his basketball career, and he’s a national pingpong champion.
He doesn’t care if he’s remembered for any of those accolades.
“It’s not about me,” Commodore said, “but about the children I’ve been able to serve and the lives I’ve impacted.”
Though some believe he hasn’t received nearly enough recognition for a life centered around spreading love and kindness, Commodore is more of a philosopher. His ideology of love and kindness is deeply rooted in his faith.
“You have to be humble,” he said.
Commodore was once recognized for his prowess in carnival-style amusement park games, excelling at venues including Kennywood, Cedar Point, Hershey Park, Wildwood and Atlantic City.
He’d win 50-plus stuffed animals on any given day, all of which he gave to children, particularly those in burn units and children’s hospitals.
“It’s all about giving,” he said.
The burn unit holds a special place in Commodore’s heart, as he suffered severe burns on his hands at 2 years old after sticking them into an oven while his mother was cooking.
The scars remained visible into adulthood.
Commodore’s granddaughter, Ty Beck, calls him the GOAT.
“He’s such a kind and loving man,” said Beck, a counselor at a Pittsburgh charter school.
She shared how she has always looked up to her grandfather and been inspired by his legacy.
“Growing up, he always had gifts for us or introduced us to different opportunities,” said Beck, who was excited to follow in his footsteps through her work in counseling.
Commodore served in New Kensington-Arnold School District as dean of students, a guidance counselor, a basketball coach and a teacher.
When his brother died in 1994 after being shot in the back, Commodore’s response was not about seeking revenge.
“You don’t fight violence with violence, but with faith, wisdom and love,” he said.
“All lives matter to do the right thing. Black lives matter to do the right thing. White lives matter to do the right thing.”
In his younger days, Commodore made the basketball team at Ford City High School in 10th grade after being cut the previous year. At the predominantly white school, he initially didn’t see much playing time until his friends convinced the coach to give him a shot.
He eventually became the team’s most valuable player and later attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he still holds the school’s all-time scoring record.
“That’s what I mean by ‘all lives matter to do the right thing.’ When you stand up for someone for the right thing, it makes a difference,” Commodore said.
Commodore was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 13th round of the 1971 NBA Draft. An injury, however, ended his basketball career, prompting him to return to school for a master’s degree.
Raised in a loving household, Commodore credits his parents for his benevolent nature.
“My parents were fantastic people,” he said, recalling how they moved from Georgia and Kentucky to Ford City.
“When my brother was murdered, it was deeply sad, but my parents believed in fighting violence with faith, wisdom, love and the Holy Spirit. That’s why we go into schools and talk about love and kindness for all. The bottom line is doing the right thing.”
After his brother’s death, Commodore discovered that his brother had a daughter.
“That was the greatest gift ever,” he said. “You lose one (family member), and God gives you another.”
In addition to his own children, Commodore helped raise more than 300 others through the foster care and juvenile systems, many from diverse racial backgrounds.
“Environment changes people. It has nothing to do with race,” he said.
“I just want to thank God while I’m alive now and thank the people around me who have shown me what life is truly about.”
During his proclamation ceremony in Pittsburgh, longtime friend Dorothy Robinson, of Homewood, shared how she met Commodore.
“My kids called me and said, ‘Mom, there’s a man giving away bicycles and furniture up at the corner!’ I went to see it for myself and was amazed,” she said. “He’s awesome, and he’s in his own lane. His kindness isn’t just words. He lives it.”
Through his nonprofit, Help the Needy, Not the Greedy, founded in 2007, Commodore provides furniture and care items to the community. He has organized events across Western Pennsylvania for youth, nurses, first responders and veterans.
Bringing tractor-trailers filled with bicycles, furniture and prizes to donate or give away is nothing new for Commodore.
“That’s what makes me feel good. It’s been phenomenal giving back,” he said.
Together with longtime business partner Donielle Owen of The Youth Program Inc., Commodore is working on converting a building at 900 Fifth Avenue in New Kensington into a community space named Love and Kindness.
In Ford City, Commodore’s message of “Get on Board with Love: All Lives Matter to Do the Right Thing” has inspired students, who now wear shirts bearing the slogan.
“We want to instill love and kindness in children at a younger age,” Commodore said.
His granddaughter couldn’t agree more.
“The message of love and kindness is so important for the youth now more than ever. They need self-love and kindness to extend it to others,” Beck said.
Beck reflected on how Commodore was quick to help her after she crashed her first car during college.
“I’m grateful to have someone close to me who is so selfless,” she said. “He continues to show us what loving others unconditionally looks like.”
Shaylah Brown is a TribLive reporter covering art, culture and communities of color. A New Jersey native, she joined the Trib in 2023. When she's not working, Shaylah dives into the worlds of art, wellness and the latest romance novels. She can be reached at sbrown@triblive.com.
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