Featured Volunteers

Tour Christmas time 2019

Patrick Mancuso

April, 2019

Born in New York City on the Upper East Side June 12, 1942, Patrick Mancuso is a true son of the "Big Apple." Patrick’s talents as a front line staff member are never more apparent than during our annual Odessa Holiday Tour.

Rudy Norton

July, 2018

Rudy Norton has been a Volunteer Guide at the Historic Odessa Foundation for the last ten years. He began this third career in 2008. Like many of the foundation’s volunteer staff Rudy is a former educator.

Rita & George Ryor

September, 2017

Rita & George Ryor, Historic Odessa volunteers, began their partnership in 1960 in Michigan. They arrived in Middletown, Delaware in 2005… via Dalgren Virginia, Bowie Maryland, Morristown, NJ, and finally Smithville. Rita was a Teacher/Librarian and George was a computer programmer…although he now is considered woodworker extraordinaire by everyone here at the Foundation!

John Goodier

March, 2017

John Goodier was first introduced to Odessa when he married Marjorie Loven in November of 1963. John claims that when he met Margie, he knew instantly he was going to marry her. That was 53 years ago. John is currently Chairman of the Historic Odessa Foundation Advisory Committee.

Jeff Pyle

September, 2016

All of the staff and volunteers at Historic Odessa know Jeff Pyle!  On any given day he is easily identified wearing a tricorn hat during a school tour or one of his many baseball caps.

Alison Matsen

March, 2016

The old adage “if you want something done… ask a busy person” aptly describes Historic Odessa Foundation volunteer Alison Matsen.  She always seems to find the time to help out whenever called upon!

Tom Baker

August, 2015

Tom was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania and raised in Lancaster County.Tom is a Purple Heart recipient who served in the United States Marine Corps in Vietnam. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans of America, and was the 1990 Delaware Disabled “Veteran of the Year”.

Karen Wood

February, 2015

Karen Wood was born in Virginia, where she later returned to attend the University Of Virginia School Of Nursing after her graduation from John Dickinson High School in Delaware. Karen’s professional career included working as an OR nurse, Public Health Nurse, and finally as a School Nurse for the Appoquinimink School District. She is married to Ron Wood.

John Bansch

August, 2014

John Bansch was born in New Jersey and attended North Bergen High School. He studied engineering and computer science at Newark College of Engineering. Afterwards John moved to Virginia where he met and married his wife Alana. John is past president of the Archaeological Society of Delaware (ASD).

Sam Scarpignato

March, 2014

His name is Salvatore Scarpignato, but around Odessa everyone knows him as Sam.  He is one of those special people that you feel like you have known forever.  Sam is friendly and outgoing and always ready to assist anyone with anything, you needn’t ask twice!  He is the go to guy you can count on, a Site Volunteer at the Historic Odessa Foundation, and a real jack of all trades.

Ellen Walsh

June, 2013

Ellen joined the Historic Odessa Foundation’s volunteer family in our very first year as a new organization. Beginning in 2005, Ellen worked in the third floor offices of the historic Odessa Bank with Rita Ryor, HOF Librarian, to create a community library and resource center database.

Ted Rowe

April, 2013

Meet Ted Rowe. Ted came to the Odessa, Delaware area with rich background and diverse experience. Ted graduated from St. Lawrence University and attended the Columbia Graduate School of Business. Ted joined the HOF Volunteer Organization in 2005.