Top stories

‘Mr. Jamestown’: Tributes pour in for Tony Dolce

Other than Kim Ecklund, nobody had served with Tony Dolce longer on the City Council than Brent Sheldon.

The First Ward councilman was among those who talked about Dolce's impact in the wake of Dolce's passing on Saturday. Since the announcement of Dolce's passing over the weekend, reactions and statements have continued to flood in across Facebook and the city of Jamestown, including from the many local organizations Dolce was involved in and his former students.

"I've known Tony for over 30 years," Sheldon said. "We both ran together for the first time when Dick Kimball ran for mayor. We both got elected, though I unfortunately only served one term while Tony served quite a few terms and I eventually got back on council with him."

Sheldon added he has been friends with both Dolce and his family for that long, expressing his condolences to the family. Sheldon said from Dolce's teaching to coaching to city council and city council president, Dolce touched many lives across the city.

"In my mind he is 'Mr. Jamestown', he represented the city so well and his constituents," Sheldon said. "He worked both sides of the aisle. For a number of years he was one of the only Republicans on council, serving under several Democratic mayors. He worked well in a bipartisan manner, which is kind of rare in today's politics. He was a great example for future politicians to work across the aisle."

Councilman Russell Bonfiglio, R-At Large, has also been friends with Dolce for 30 years, and when he joined the council, he said Dolce was always willing to answer his many questions.

"He was always very happy to answer my questions and explain everything, because I was new, what was wrong or what was right," Bonfiglio said. "He was just a great guy. I'm going to miss him. I'm still devastated over it. He did so much for the city and the school system. He was always there to answer any of my questions, and believe me I asked them a lot, being new. He always took the time to help me out and explain things. I'm going to miss him a lot."

Dolce's fellow city council members such as Jeremy Engsuit, D-At Large, also expressed the loss they are feeling with Dolce's passing. In both a Facebook post and in conversation with The Post-Journal, Engquist said he first met Dolce in 2003, and they had a running joke that Engquist would run against him for City Council one day, even though he did not live in Dolce's ward, Ward 2. While Engquist acknowledged he would have never actually run against Dolce, something that is standing out the most to him after his passing was that Dolce took the time to call Engquist the night he was actually elected to city council.

"It just speaks to his character that he took the time to call me and congratulate me, even though it was in some ways at his detriment," Engquist said. "He'd won his seat, but he'd lost the presidency. It just spoke to the way he was willing to reach across the aisle and be happy for someone, even though it was not the greatest night for him personally."

Engquist added Dolce was always happy when they would talk, even when a million things were going on, and that he had a "fun personality" and they would joke together a lot. He said the city will miss him for many reasons, including his knowledge on City Council.

"He's been there for so long and just knew so much," Engquist said. "Just having that back story when we'd get something on the council and he would say 'for you newcomers', or ‘for you new members'. We are seven months in but we are still new and it's like, yeah, OK, this is what we're dealing with, and this is how and why we're dealing with it. We're certainly going to miss that."

Over the last few days Engquist said he has also heard stories, some that he knew of before, about how if there was an issue someone would call Dolce and no matter what he would drive or sometimes even run across the city to check it out himself. Engquist said Dolce always cared about the people of Jamestown, including his students and the people in his church, referring to him as "a giant in the city".

Councilman Andrew Faulkner, R-Ward 6, remembered Dolce both on Facebook and in talking with The Post-Journal as well. While he never had Dolce as a teacher, Faulkner said he would not have as much of an understanding about city council as he does today without him.

"Tony was a huge part of me figuring out how city government operates," Faulkner said. "I never had the pleasure of having him as a teacher, but when I ran for city council and got on city council, he really guided me. I know a lot of people are all for having turnover and having new people, but I've always said, using Tony as an example, we need that long-term stability of people who have seen things and been through things and really understands how government works. Tony was that guy for me when I was new on council, though I still see myself as new, he just really helped guide and explain things. It's a really tough loss for everybody."

Councilwoman Regina Brackman, D-Ward 3 and current city council president said receiving the call on Saturday was a huge shock, and something that has not yet sunk in. How much Dolce will be missed is something she said is hard to put into words.

"It's hard to put into words, just his knowledge and years of working with the city of Jamestown on City Council and in that capacity, there's a loss of knowledge and history from his years of being on the council," Brackman said. "I looked to him as someone stepping into the role of City Council president, I looked to him for guidance and to help me get my bearings on this role that I find myself in. He will be greatly missed."

Brackman said Dolce's knowledge and willingness to be involved and support the council by giving guidance and his knowledge of history of things that happened prior to others being on council will be missed as well. She added Dolce was very level headed, not going on emotions but facts, putting an emphasis on his knowledge of the history of the council from the 1990s to now.

"It's going to be a great loss," Brackman said. "He will be missed dearly. It's still such a shock. You never know, but Tony was very active and healthy, living a healthy life. He was funny and made little hints about certain things. It's very shocking to hear this news. My heart goes out to his family; my thoughts and prayers are with them and if there's anything myself or any of the other council members can do, we have been talking about that. We're here to support them in any way we can."

Councilman Daniel Gonzalez, D-At Large, said that Dolce "led by example" and "led with his heart", extending his thoughts and prayers towards the Dolce family at this time. Councilwoman Hannah Jaroszynski, D-Ward 5, also expressed her condolences.

"Our community has lost a dedicated public servant whose years of faithful service left a lasting legacy," Jaroszynski said. "I extend heartfelt condolences to the family and all who knew him."

Agencies Also Pay Tribute

The Jamestown Fire Department acknowledged Dolce's passing through a Facebook post Saturday as well, referring to Dolce's dedication to the city and surrounding community as immense, mentioning his leadership as a part of Holy Apostles Parish, teaching at Jamestown High School, his service on city council, and his support of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks and many other boards and organizations that Dolce served on.

"Tony's commitment to making our community stronger was evident in everything he did," their statement said. "The city of Jamestown has lost a true pillar of the community. His legacy of service and leadership will continue to have a lasting impact for years to come. We extend our condolences to his beloved wife, Anne, and to his entire family."

George Panebianco, Jamestown YMCA board president, also released a statement via the YMCA Facebook page, sending his condolences to the Dolce family, along with acknowledging all Dolce has done for the YMCA as an avid member and "a consistent and dedicated servant to the Board of Directors of the YMCA."

"Due to his undying commitment to the organization and willingness to expend his own personal capital, the YMCA is in a much better place," the statement reads. "The debt of gratitude that the YMCA owes to Tony Dolce will never be fully repaid. While his physical presence may be gone, the children and families of the Jamestown area will never forget Tony Dolce. Tony was a perfect example of everything that is good about the YMCA and Jamestown, New York. He will be sadly missed."

Dolce also served as a board member for the Board of Public Utilities for many years. The BPU's statement on his passing acknowledged Dolce's lifetime of serving Jamestown with "integrity, compassion and an unwavering commitment" to making the community stronger.

"As a member of the BPU Board, Tony brought thoughtful insight, steady leadership and a genuine desire to ensure the BPU continued to provide safe, reliable and affordable utility services to our community," the statement reads. "His experience, sound judgment and willingness to listen earned the respect of fellow board members, employees and everyone privileged to work alongside him. Beyond his many accomplishments, Tony will be remembered for his kindness, humility and the genuine care he showed to others. He was a trusted leader, a dedicated public servant and a true friend whose presence made a lasting impact on the BPU and the City of Jamestown. On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and employees of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Tony’s wife, Anne, his children, Amelia and Christian, and his entire family during this incredibly difficult time."