listing/roster of Charleroi, Pennsylvania High School Graduates/Alumni


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    THE 70's
      John Woodward, '77
      Andrea Todora, '74
      James R. Moon, '73
      David Mudrick & Cindy Colvin, '74
      George Braunegg, '75
      Bob Burns, '76
      Bill Woytovich, '73
      Michael 'Reed' Popovich, '74
      Karen A. Theys, '74
      Keith Spear, '74
      Vicki DuJordan, '71
      Leslie Kibler, '77
      Valerie Marraccini, '76 & Dennis J. Stitch, '78
      Janey Potts, '75
      Joseph R. Scaccia, '75
      Cheryl Deep, '74
      Mark Mascara, '74
      Jeff Kossol, '71
      Philip J. Kellman, '72
      Sheri Monack, '75

A love a lifetime in the making... By Stacy Wolford, Valley Independent, May 3, 2002
Some people credit fate or mere chance for bringing two people together in a union of love.

But Dennis J. and Valerie Stitch believe their love was written in the stars by a much higher power.

"It was God's will to bring us together," say the Stitches.

If ever there were a match made in Heaven, it's this couple.

Their love story is one that could serve as an inspiration to anyone who believes finding true love is something that can only happen in romance novels or movies.

Driven by their faith in God and love for each other and their families, the Stitches are living proof that true love can flourish regardless of race, social status or any other outside influence.

This is their story.

Long-time friends

Dennis and Valerie Stitch have known each other all of their lives.

Valerie Marraccini, 43, was a self-described "tom boy" who would rather play outside with her brothers and the other neighborhood kids than play dress up.

She was born in Monongahela, but moved to North Charleroi with her parents when she was in first grade.

Her mother and stepfather, Mary and Paul Mannella, now live in North Charleroi and her father and stepmother, Eugene and Pat Marraccini, live in Monongahela.

She has three siblings, brothers Bill and Eugene Marraccini and sister Terry Nicely.

Dennis Stitch was born in a small, yet comfortable house on Birch Street in North Charleroi.

His mother Helen Stitch and an aunt, Aquilla (Precious) Lockett, raised him and his siblings.

His brother Nathaniel and wife Renee live in Webster. They have two daughters, Nadine, whom Dennis helped raise from a baby, and Shonda.

Sadly, Dennis' sister, Brenda, died in May of 1999.

During their younger years, Helen Stitch had wanted the family to live in the downtown section of Charleroi, but in those days, Stitch says blacks were discouraged from living there and were segregated to North Charleroi.

Perhaps it wasn't known back then, but the Stitches home is situated on the edge of hill with a magnificent view overlooking the Monongahela River and the bridges.

The Stitches still live there today.

As children, both Dennis and Valerie can recall childhood days spent riding bicycles, climbing trees and having good old fashioned fun.

"I remember her being very energetic," said Dennis, 42. "She always went right along doing the things boys did."

Valerie says Dennis was always a "nice boy" and was quite an athlete, even at a young age.

They both went to Charleroi Area High School. Valerie graduated in 1976, Dennis in 1978.

While they remained friends and often said hello to one another, their lives took different directions.

Valerie went to Douglas Business School and received certification for accounting after graduating. She then got married at a young age in 1978 and had three children - Amanda, Adrienne and Aaron Spina.

In the meantime, Dennis was pursuing his education and an aspiring baseball career at the University of Pittsburgh.

He initially went to college at Penn State University before transferring to Pitt.

Stitch has always had a passion for playing baseball. At Pitt, Stitch joined the college team as a walk-on player.

He tried out for the team as one of about 160 outfielders vying for a spot. He was one of only a few that made the team.

From that humble beginning, he blossomed as a ballplayer, earning numerous honors.

At Pitt he was named three times to the All-American team, as well as earning an All-Conference rank while at PSU.

Through all of his success as a baseball player, Stitch never veered away from his goal of graduating from college.

"I was motivated and determined to do well in school, and I have my mother and aunt to thank because they taught me to excel," Stitch said.

Stitch had the opportunity sign with a professional baseball team while an undergraduate, but instead he decided to finish college, thanks in large part to a lifelong friend and a father figure, Ken Wiltz, who encouraged him to stay and finish college. He also credits close friend Phil Lanier for playing an important part of his life.

He didn't miss his shot though, and signed with a professional baseball agent in 1985. He was whisked off to Florida for major league tryouts and within no time he signed a contract to play with the Seattle Mariners.

"Playing professional baseball was always a dream of mine," Stitch said.

During his rookie year he was named to the All-Star team.

He was only 22.

But his career ended abruptly in 1987. He was in spring training with the Boston Red Sox at the time and doing well, with a .755 batting average.

Following a management shakeup, Stitch's dream came to a short end, and he was taken off the roster.

"You're trying to pursue your baseball dream and there are guys playing God with your career," Stitch said.

Stitch was asked to stay with the baseball team in a management position, but he declined the offer.

Instead, he remained proud of his accomplishments and started the next phase of his life.

New beginnings

Stitch returned to his hometown and decided to make a life for himself in familiar territory.

He ran for the Charleroi Area School Board and won, serving from 1989 to 1999. He also worked as an assistant to former Congressman Austin Murphy from 1988 to 1994.

Meanwhile, Valerie Marraccini, now divorced and starting over her life, was an active member of Charleroi's Parent Teacher Association, as her children were all in the district.

Before long, their paths crossed.

"I saw her at one of the school board meetings and we just said hello," said Stitch.

Valerie wanted to become more involved in the school district and decided to run for director. She served from 1995 to 1999.

They soon rekindled their friendship.

Stitch, an avid Pitt Panther basketball fan, remembers taking his future wife to a game. Valerie came downstairs in a loud colored blouse, quite the contrast from Dennis' laid back ensemble.

"He laughed and said 'that's some wild shirt,'" Valerie said.

Slowly and surely, though, their friendship evolved into something more.

"It just happened on its own and we were both ready for it," said Valerie of their realization they were in love.

But, just like many couples, their relationship had a stumbling block.

One evening during their dating, the couple had a heart to heart discussion about their relationship and ended up agreeing that they wouldn't see each other anymore, and remain friends.

But Dennis, firm in his faith of God, said a higher power spoke to him at 5 in the morning the next day, and he just had to see Valerie.

"I didn't know what I was going to say, I only knew that I had to see her," he said.

When he saw her, Dennis said the words just flowed out.

"I asked her to marry me," he said.

Valerie was 'very surprised' by the proposal, but thrilled nonetheless.

"You have to go with what's in your heart," Valerie said.

Growing family...

With their nuptials, Stitch also became a stepfather to Valerie's three children, a role he says he adores.

"I'm so blessed to have them as stepchildren," he said.

Amanda Spina, 20, is a student at the University of Pittsburgh, Adrienne Spina, 19, is a freshman at California University of Pennsylvania, and Aaron Spina, 15, lives with his father in Ohio.

Adrienne lives at home.

The Stitches had also wanted to have a baby of their own, but after failed attempts via in-vitro fertilization, the couple decided to adopt.

They began the process on Sept. 28, 2000. On Dec. 20, 2001, their "blessing from God" arrived.

Their adopted baby was only 3 1/2 months old when they brought her home. They decided to name her Sarah Aquilla Stitch. Her middle name is after Stitch's beloved aunt who passed away several years ago and who helped raise him. Sarah is now 7 months old, with one tooth and a smile that could brighten any room.

Stitches' mother, Helen, who will soon turn 80, lives with the family, and is also an important part of their lives.

Life is wonderful for the Stitches and they wouldn't want to live anywhere else, they say.

In the summer, they enjoy sitting on the swing and watching the Monongahela River, and are excited about all of the new adventures their life will have now that they have Sarah.

"It's like I said before, there's not a day that goes by that I don't pray and thank God for what we have," Dennis said.

Stacy Wolford can be reached at swolford@tribweb.com or (724) 684-2640.