ONEONTA _ His career choice was human resources, but his legacy is etched in the city's award-winning public bus system.
Oneonta Public Transit passengers will now be boarding buses and buying tickets at the John Insetta Transportation Center.
The former Bus Store at Clinton Plaza was renamed after Insetta in a ceremony Sunday attended by dozens of his friends, family and coworkers. The 63-year-old retired personnel director for the city died of natural causes May 22.
Insetta's daughter Jennifer Insetta Pajerski said her family was very touched by the dedication ceremony.
"It was lovely," she said Monday. "It was such a testament to my dad. OPT was something he was very proud of."
Insetta spent 36 years at City Hall as personnel director. At the time of his retirement in 2008, Insetta was helping to oversee a work force of 135 people,
In addition to his other duties, he became the part-time OPT director in 1986. Under his watch, the system grew from about 40,000 annual passengers to more than 700,000 by the time he retired.
"He fought really hard for it. He really believed in it," Pajerski said.
Insetta was inducted into the Transit Hall of Fame in 2008. When he was recognized at the New York State Public Transit Association convention that year, one of his catchphrases was read into the record: "I feel strongly both ways."
Before and after his retirement, Insetta had leadership roles in a wide range of community groups, including the St. Mary's Parish Council, the Oneonta Family YMCA, the Oneonta Rotary Club and Orpheus Theater.
Between 75 and 100 people turned out for the dedication ceremony, Mayor Dick Miller said Monday.
"It was a real tribute to John and his family," Miller said.
Pajerski of Oneonta said her two brothers traveled from North Carolina and her sister came from Virginia. All 11 grandchildren attended and the family held a gathering afterward.
"We were so proud that they picked that building to dedicate to my dad," she said.
And there was more than just a new sign out front. The bus station was decorated inside with photographs detailing the history of OPT.
The back window of a parked bus bore the message, "Thank you, John Insetta."
Local News
Related Photos
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A CROWD GATHERS FOR THE DEDICATION of the John Insetta Transportation Center in Oneonta on Sunday. Benjamin Patton
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