Latrobe chamber holds annual awards dinner to honor locals impacting community

For Jason Brinker, owner of the Lopatich-Brinker Funeral Home, winning small business of the year in Latrobe took him “completely by surprise.”

“I never felt that a funeral home would be on the radar for something like that,” said Brinker, 35, of Latrobe. “I guess I’ve never viewed ourselves as a business.”

The funeral home received one of four awards given out by the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce during its annual dinner and awards ceremony at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College.

The awards honor organizations and individuals who have impacted the Latrobe community.

Brinker is also one of the funeral directors, and he has worked at the home since he was 15.

“We have people that have worked here for decades,” Brinker said. “That just shows the commitment that they all have to Latrobe and to the families that we’re privileged to serve.”

Though the award was a surprise, Brinker said it was a pleasant one — which was both touching and humbling.

“I certainly didn’t feel that we deserved it,” Brinker said. “We’re grateful for the mutual love and respect that the town has for us and that we have for our town.”

The owner of another Latrobe funeral home, the Hartman-Graziano Funeral Home, was honored with an individual award.

John Graziano, who has been in Latrobe for about 35 years, received the community service award. He has been attending the dinner for several years, seeing other locals who have received the same honor.

“I felt very privileged to be in their company,” said Graziano, 64, of Latrobe.

He said through community service, he’s met people who have become his best friends and contacts over the years. His family and the funeral home are involved as well.

Graziano previously served on the Red Cross board for over 10 years, and he’s a member of the Rotary Club of Latrobe.

“Just being part of the community is how you survive in the community,” Graziano said.

Linda Chenet was also honored with an individual award, volunteer of the year.

She’s been a commercial loan ambassador at Somerset Trust Co. for six years since she decided to return to work. She had retired from a career in banking.

“Volunteering means giving my time to help in any way I can,” said Chenet, 72, of Latrobe.

She’s volunteered at local events and is a volunteer for the chamber ambassador committee.

“Sometimes, I just show up and pitch in,” she said.

Adelphoi, which has a 52-year history in the community, was recognized as Latrobe’s nonprofit of the year.

Karyn Pratt is Aldelphoi’s vice president of marketing and strategy development, and she said the organization was “absolutely thrilled.”

Adelphoi provides outcomes-based services and solutions to at-risk families and children, including group homes, secure and detention services, foster and adoptive services, education options and in-home mental health programs.

“Since we are such a historic part of this community, we recognize that we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support,” said Pratt, 55, of Greensburg, of local volunteers and donors.