Harry Joseph Dilmore

Harry J. Dilmore

Harry J. Dilmore, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. A dedicated and patient husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and public servant, Mr. Dilmore spent his life focused on friendship, hard work, and above all, service. Born to Harry F. Dilmore and Jane (Martz) Dilmore in Millvale on December 8, 1927, Harry graduated from Millvale High School in 1946 and began his lifelong career as a carpenter. In 1949, Harry married Ruth Froehlich, moved to Avalon, and was a much beloved father to his two sons. A dynamic couple, Mr. and Mrs. Dilmore enjoyed traveling the world with close friends.

Professionally, he spent over thirty years with The Pittsburgh Hilton & Towers in Gateway Center, first acting as the Construction Foreman for the building and opening of the hotel in 1959 through retiring as the Director of Property Operations in 1991. Mr. Dilmore won the Golden Hammer Award (1992) from The Carpenters District Council of Western Pennsylvania for his efforts and activities to aid the carpenters and all union workers at the Hilton throughout his career.

A resident of Avalon for more than 70 years, Mr. Dilmore was the first Democrat elected as Mayor of Avalon serving from 1964-1976. Playfully dubbed ‘The Marrying Mayor,’ Mr. Dilmore performed countless wedding ceremonies during his tenure – and on more than one occasion provided impromptu nuptials in the living room of his California Avenue home. He also served as the President of the Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania and as President of the Association of Borough Mayors of Allegheny County. Mr. Dilmore joined the Avalon Volunteer Fire Company in 1957 and remained the oldest living member of the company until the time of his death. His legacy includes leading many construction projects that continue to be enjoyed by Avalon residents today, including the Municipal Garage, Firehouse, Public Library, and Borough Building. Mr. Dilmore served as the Treasurer of the Northgate Authority, the body that formed the Northgate School District in 1977. He later was elected as a Member and Officer on the Northgate School Board between 1987 and 2009 where he also worked tirelessly on building projects for the Northgate School District, including the construction of the Dilmore-Mayernik Field.

Mr. Dilmore was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth L. (Froehlich) Dilmore. He is survived by his sons, Harry W. Dilmore and wife Christine of Avalon and Gary M. Dilmore and wife Brenda of Rostraver. Grandfather of Matthew R. Dilmore of Hollywood, California, Molly R. Dilmore and husband Jeffrey C. Kanof of Tacoma, Washington, Shawn P. Dilmore of Warren, Ohio, and Brandon J. Dilmore of Orlando, Florida. Great-grandfather to Jude E. Kanof of Tacoma, Washington. Friends received from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, 2021 and 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2021 at the McDonald-Linn Funeral Home, 529 California Avenue, Avalon, www.mcdonald-linn.com. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at the Church of the Assumption, Bellevue. Interment will follow in Christ Our Redeemer, Catholic Cemetery.

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