BY HELEN B. FOSTER

Correspondent

Family, friends, co-workers, law enforcers and elected officials from Susquehanna and surrounding counties gathered at the Montdale Country Club on April 21, to honor Peter Janicelli on his retirement after 24 years as a Susquehanna County District Justice.

Janicelli and his wife of 44 years, Joan, of Harmony Township, are the parents of a son, Michael, and grandparents of 6-year-old Paul.

Master of Ceremonies District Justice Sean McGraw of Carbondale introduced Paul, who gave the blessing before the dinner served to more than 200 attending.
McGraw praised Janicelli for his service to his country with the Pennsylvania National Guard and his tour in VietNam.

“He has traits we like to see in a judge,” McGraw said.

He commented on the high regard law enforcement has for the retiring judge by the number of state police and local police along with Susquehanna County Judge Kenneth Seamans and Lackawanna County Judge Robert Mazzoni attending.

Also attending were the county’s three District Justices: Jeff Hollister, Suzanne Brainard and Jodi Cordner.

Brainard spoke of Janicelli being a good friend  who was there to guide and teach.

Judge Seamans described the retiring Justice as being,” fair and committed.”

He is not just committed to the law but to his family and all he has undertaken over the years, Seamans said.

The judge read the commendation from Susquehanna County Commissioners who wished Janicelli health and happiness in his retirement and thanked him for his many years of service.

Rep. Sandra Major, R-Bridgewater Twp., said she saw many familiar faces among those who had come to honor someone they love and admire. Major brought a citation from the House of Representatives with best wishes on his well deserved  retirement as well as thank you for all he has done over the years.

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Twp., said it was a privilege to be at the retirement for Janicelli, to honor someone we respect for his lifelong service to his community and country.

“He has been a voice of reason during his 24 years as District Justice,” she added.

Michael Janicelli had the honor of introducing his father. “I always knew my name was Michael but as I was growing up I realized I had another name, ‘Pete’s Boy.’”

“That meant I was under the watchful eye of local residents, local law enforcement as well as the State police, he added. “ I came to appreciate my life and the wisdom Dad had in an endless supply. His wisdom on a great many subjects was not by the text book and was usually short with no room for arguing.”

As the retiree took center stage, he said he wished he could find a way to say, “thank you” to all who had come to wish him well.

“I have taken something from each of you and used it in my years on the bench,” he said.

He spoke of his excellent staff and the things he stole from them to use in the office.

He concluded by saying, “thank you for the little things that made my career in Susquehanna County so successful.”