Meet your Mt. Lebanon Crossing Guards—Part 2

Stationed all across Mt. Lebanon, this dedicated cohort of crossing guards lives in many different parts of Pittsburgh, as well. Whether your beloved crossing guard has a 5-minute walk to work, or a 30-minute commute through the tunnels, you are guaranteed to see these fine individuals rain or shine. Keep reading to learn more about who crosses you or your children, what they did before becoming a crossing guard and where you might see them on the weekends.

Steve and Linda Peterson

Pinewood Drive couple Steve and Linda Peterson are tenured crossing guards of 23 years. The husband-and-wife duo dreaded becoming “couch potatoes” after quickly completing their retirement bucket list, so they signed up to be crossing guards. Steve worked in a building on Seventh Avenue, Downtown, as a switching equipment technician and Linda worked for Verizon in Dormont and Allentown before retirement.

Linda is stationed on Bower Hill Road for Hoover Elementary and Jefferson Middle students; Steve is on the same road and responsible for only the middle schoolers. Linda’s interactions range from tying shoelaces to answering students’ questions about how she knows if a light is going to change and if it’s because she works for the FBI. Steve has a more difficult task of engaging middle school students who “run the full gamut of acting like a child to acting like they’re 24.” Linda knows most of the younger children’s names and Steve likes to entertain the older kids by giving them a new wacky name every day. When they aren’t working, you can find the Petersons hiking, going to museums and traveling.

Dan Capatolla

Upper St. Clair resident Dan Capatolla is a crossing guard with 17 years of experience. After taking one year off to improve his health, Capatolla eagerly returned to his post in Uptown Mt. Lebanon. Two years into his retirement from day labor, building bridges and roads, Capatolla’s wife suggested he find a new part-time job.

Although Capatolla oversees an “entourage” of crossing guards at the various Washington Road posts, where he witnesses the importance of his work firsthand. He reacts quickly to car accidents and recklessness, making sure people crossing the streets stay safe—he’s even aided in a life-threatening pedestrian incident. Capatolla enjoys any season of the year that isn’t summer to be crossing. Although summer may be too hot, he certainly enjoys warm weather for swimming and going for walks in his free time.

Jack Dumbaugh

A crossing guard for five years, Folkstone Drive resident Jack Dumbaugh’s friend referred him to the job post-retirement in 2018. With 30 years in Mt. Lebanon and two daughters who completed their educations here, Dumbaugh felt like this opportunity was “giving back.” Before retiring, he was a State Farm insurance agent, but he now gets to enjoy the “hilarious” elementary students in addition to his grandchildren.

One of Dumbaugh’s favorite stories from the job was after one chilly school day when a gaggle of fifth-grade boys approached him. One student wore a pair of shorts that revealed his (temporary) tattoo, to which Dumbaugh joked, “I’d like to have a tattoo, but my wife won’t let me have one.” The little boy reassured him by saying, “Hey, she don’t have to know about it.” Out of the 40 posts a crossing guard can have in Mt. Lebanon, Dumbaugh has worked 38 of them during his time as a substitute. This part-time schedule gives him enough time to enjoy his hobbies of yard work, golf and family travel.

Leslie Ney

Fruithurst Drive resident Leslie Ney has been a crossing guard for three years. When she retired from her long career as a retail manager at various department stores, she wanted to continue working part-time. After 34 years in Mt. Lebanon, becoming a crossing guard in her retirement is the perfect encapsulation of many joyful years in this community. She loves kids, so working to help them is a huge bonus.

Ney’s favorite season to be out crossing is anytime the weather is warm. Some of her favorite memories with the children involve receiving treats for being a “great crossing guard” from her elementary students. Throughout the school year she learns as many names as she can, making a note of birthdays when she can. When she’s not working at Chick-fil-A in the summers, Ney can be found sewing for her church’s volunteer program.

Zoran Petrusic

Inglewood Drive resident Zoran Petrusic celebrates his one-year anniversary of guarding this fall. Before moving to Pittsburgh, (and the States, in general!) Petrusic owned a coffee bar in a small town in eastern Bosnia. The Petrusics relocated in December of 2020 when Suzie, Zoran’s wife, became a fully remote professional.

After noticing a flyer promoting an open crossing guard position at a Mt. Lebanon parade, Petrusic and his wife thought he’d be a good fit for the role, considering his protectiveness and love for his own children. Living close to his Markham Elementary post, Petrusic loves meeting his children’s peers and fellow parents while working. He recalls one funny story where a deer jumped over a car at his post! Outside of work, Petrusic can be found watching European soccer, as well as European and NBA basketball.

If you haven’t read Part 1 of our Crossing Guard profiles, check it out now! ^[1]