For the first time in 27 years, Oakmont council will meet without Allan Kennedy sitting at the table. His presence, however, still will be felt in the borough.

Mr. Kennedy, 83, is well-known for his contributions to the community.

He was born in Arnold and moved to Oakmont when he was an infant. When he was in third grade, his family moved to a house a half-block from the municipal building, where he eventually would devote countless hours to community service.

Mr. Kennedy was 11 when his mother and the child she was carrying died. Four years later, his father was seriously injured when a railroad wheel fell on him.

Yet, Mr. Kennedy said, his father raised his three sons and kept the family together, despite encouragement from relatives to put the children in a home.

Mr. Kennedy said he was always grateful to his father for keeping the family together. As the oldest child, he said, his motto was "a can opener is a boy's best friend."

Oakmont was a nice place to grow up, he said. Without many cars at the time, children could play games in the street, such as football and hockey. He was lucky to have some good people as friends, he said.

A graduate of Oakmont High School, Mr. Kennedy enlisted in the Air Force and was called to serve in February 1945. He was stationed in San Diego when the war ended but was shipped to the Philippines for seven months. He recalls the upside down ships in Manila Bay rusting in the sun, as well as a city that was fairly shot up. He served as an airplane engine mechanic.

Upon his return, Mr. Kennedy attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with a degree in history. He taught in Zelienople, returned to Oakmont to teach at the junior high school, taught at Fox Chapel -- where he also was the head football coach -- then returned to Oakmont to continue his career.

He spent 40 years in education, 30 of them in Oakmont and 22 as high school principal. Oakmont merged with Verona to form the Riverview School District in 1971.

In those 40 years, he missed only three days of work, he said.

Mr. Kennedy and his wife, Sarajane -- who was known as "Sally" -- were married for 53 years and raised four girls and one boy. Mrs. Kennedy died in 2004.

She had been a nurse in the Oakmont schools for 24 years. Mr. Kennedy said their children complained that they couldn't have any fun because their dad was principal and their mom was the school nurse.

Mr. Kennedy said he enjoyed interacting with students. He still dabbles in high school football at Springdale High School. He jokes that veteran coach Chuck Wagner, 75, just wants someone around who is older than he is.

Mr. Kennedy also sponsored and managed a sandlot baseball team in Oakmont for 20 years. He said the players were mostly in their 20s and they loved the sport, so all he had to do was give them a uniform and equipment.

One of the players was Leechburg native and Olympic gold medalist Mickey Morandini.

Mr. Kennedy was appointed to Oakmont council in 1982, then elected several times afterward. He took the job, he explained, because his father-in-law, Robert T. Roche, had been borough manager, and Mr. Kennedy thought he'd see what it was like to serve the borough. During his time on council, he was liaison to and then chairman of the recreation board.

At the December meeting, the borough presented Mr. Kennedy with a rocking chair as a retirement gift and a proclamation from Allegheny County Councilman Nick Futules that recognized his dedication and determination in serving the community.

"His status as a gentleman, leader, educator and good neighbor is truly inspirational; he is a great public servant and a role model for all to follow," the proclamation states.

Calling him one of the "pillars of the community," Mr. Futules said afterward that Mr. Kennedy "was just a good guy" for Oakmont. The man was everywhere, he said, from Seven Springs municipal outings to the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign.

Mr. Kennedy still works as a Salvation Army bell ringer, bringing in almost $7,000 this past season. He is involved in the Lions Club annual variety show, which is entering its 55th year; the Rosedale-Verona Rotary; the Key Club; and the SADD Club. His other activities include Riverview Community Action Center, his church choir, Meals on Wheels and Presbyterian SeniorCare patient escort service.

Plus, he finds time for his children and 12 grandchildren.

He said he decided not to seek re-election to council because "it's time for the younger people."

He said he has no problem devoting time to the community and plans to keep going because he has no intention of becoming a recluse.

To put it simply, he said, he likes to help out. There are "a lot of great people in Oakmont," he said, adding that's what makes the town stand out from other communities.

"I enjoy doing it, or I wouldn't be doing it," he said.

When his wife died, Mr. Kennedy had her stone engraved with this quote: "So long as we love, we serve."

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