Tom Nolan Remembered

Karen and Bill Berry

At their Oct 1 meeting, Bethlehem Tp Commissioners paid tribute to Tom Nolan. He was a member of the board who died in office Sep 25 after a brief battle with leukemia. The meeting started with a moment of silence for Nolan, followed by tributes from his fellow Commissioners and members of the public. 

President Mike Hudak, who tangled with Nolan for 12 years, explained that Nolan always called him in advance when he knew they would be at odds. But he explained that they agreed more often than they differed. "At the end of the day, you still leave as friends," said Hudak, adding they had "a mutual respect for each other. His presence and voice on this Board will be missed, but I'm positive that what he leaves behind will carry on. God speed, Tom."

Commissioner Malissa Davis, who was probably Nolan's closest ally, called him "a voice we are really going to miss." She broke down. Commissioners John Merhotten and John Gallagher, who only began serving in January, had kind words as well. Merhotten praised Nolan for the "professionalism and respect he gave everybody." Gallagher added that "the Township is certainly going to miss his presence."

Several residents also chimed in. Most notable of this was Karen Berry. Her husband and Bill ran against each other twice. Bill won the first race, while Nolan won the second. She called Nolan "a friend" who "really served the greater community."

Berry also had kind words for the Commissioners. "Being a Commissioner is not easy," she said. "There is a lot of work that you people do."