Leetsdale councilman honored by state association for 'distinguished service'

A state association recently let Leetsdale Councilman Osman Awad know his services to the borough did not go unnoticed.

Awad was given the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs’ Distinguished Service Award.

He and others were recognized at the association’s banquet in Hershey on June 6.

“We’re elected to do a job,” Awad said. “I’m happy they recognized me, but my main goal is to improve the borough and to improve everything I do to improve the life of the people.”

Awad has been on council since 2004.

He has led a free summer lunch program at Henle Park for about 12 years.

About 1,240 meals are served each summer to children throughout the Quaker Valley area and surrounding communities.

Awad also volunteers monthly at the borough food pantry and cooks for seniors at the high-rise.

“My goal is to get the young people involved with the older people, to learn from them,” Awad said about the community service. He is a retired executive sous chef and worked at the Allegheny Country Club for many years. He’s also a member of the Leetsdale VFW.

He was nominated for the state boroughs association award by Leetsdale Mayor Sandra Ford.

“He has helped our community and is always willing to help out on any community event,” Ford said. “He gives all his time and talent (for) cooking for Leetsdale, and it felt like he was never recognized by council for all his work.”

The purpose of the award is to “stimulate constructive thinking and to encourage real service on the part of borough officials and to bring to the attention of the public professional progress and service,” according to the PSAB website.

It is presented to someone for performing distinguished, meritorious, and exceptionally outstanding service to the citizens of his or her borough and to promote better borough government.

It was unclear how many nominations there were this year.

PSAB officials did not return multiple calls seeking comment by press time.

Ford said she has known Awad for 20 years and he has never complained when asked to help, no matter what the task.

She was particularly impressed with his efforts just before Christmas Eve last year when the borough had a major power outage.

“We opened the community room and he began cooking for the residents,” Ford said. “He stayed there all day, and when he left late that evening, he had no heat in his own home. I gave him a shout-out at the next council meeting, but felt I had to do more. I don’t know anyone else on council that does what Ozzy does for Leetsdale.”

Awad moved to Leetsdale in January 1998 after having lived in Sewickley for nine years.

His wife, Robin, passed away six years ago at age 54. They were married for 38 years.

“Life is 50/50, so you have to learn how to communicate,” Awad said. “I did halfway and she did halfway, so we completed the way together.”

Awad has two adult daughters, Jackie and Jennifer, and four grandchildren ages 17, 14, 13 and 10.