GLENDON - Glendon's longest-serving mayor, Johnnie Doonanco, will be remembered for his dedication, love, and of course, pride for the home of World's Largest Pyrogy.
Doonanco who passed away on May 1, was mayor for the Village of Glendon for almost four decades, from 1970 to 2010. He was known as one of Canada's longest-serving mayors.
The 81-year-old was born and raised in the Glendon-area and spent his entire life in the same community, before his passing last week.
He was married to his wife Mary for 60 years, and together they had a daughter.
"I will say that Mr. Doonanco truly loved this community and took great pride in it. He was all about the community and bettering it for the residents," said current Glendon Mayor Laura Papirny in an email to Lakeland This Week. "He always told people if they didn’t like a decision he made, they could 'get outta dodge.'"
She continued, "He truly bled green and gold and was instrumental in putting Glendon on the map. The Glendon Pyrogy was his legacy and his hope to secure a future for Glendon through tourism. I have never met an individual who had more pride in their community than Mr. Doonanco did."
Papirny said Doonanco was often seen during his time as mayor, and even after, picking up litter within the community "to ensure it remained beautiful."
"He was very proud of the village," MD of Bonnyville Coun. Mike Krywiak noted.
Krywiak worked with Doonanco from 2007 to 2010 after he was newly elected to MD council, but also knew him personally.
"I taught his daughter, and he had an outgoing and charismatic personality," described Krywiak.
He said Doonanco would always go out of his way to make tourists feel welcome.
"He would give them pyrogy pins and go and meet them."
The former mayor was so proud of his town, he sent a letter, postcard, and pin to the Royal Canadian Mint in a pitch to get their beloved pyrogy on the toonie.
"He always worked hard for his community and he did what was best. He really put Glendon on the map," Krywiak expressed.
Papirny said, "I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Doonanco families."
In 2010, Doonanco said he ran for mayor in 1970 because he was "born and raised in this community, and just wanted to give back to make it a better place."
