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When the 74th annual Fourth of July Parade starts down Pennsylvania Avenue at 11 a.m. Monday, a limousine carrying family members of the Grand Marshal will be in the advance division.
After Jim Zavinski's name was proposed for Grand Marshal, there was no need for debate.
Zavinski, who passed away in February at the age of 82, was a long-time city councilman and was involved in many community projects and programs.
"The Grand Marshal is somebody that is a standout in the community," Organization Chairman Bill Thompson said. "That's who we decide on."
Members bring up names. They weigh the options. They vote.
This year, Zavinski was the nominee, "hands down," Thompson said.
The committee spoke with members of Zavinski's family about the idea.
They were grateful of the honor.
"Our family is very humbled and very honored," Jim Zavinski Jr. said. "He taught us the value of service to your community."
But, Jim Zavinski did not work in the community for personal accolades.
"At the same time, we're very overwhelmed with the outpouring," Jim Jr. said. "It would be hard for him to accept. He just wanted to go about his business."
"Jim didn't want all the attention," Thompson said. "He just took pride in the community."
"Music in the Park, flower pots along the bridge and downtown, the Warren Wishes You sign, and others," Thompson said. "He was always looking out for the community."
If it was something that needed to be done, he would do it, great or small.
"He has been such a huge asset for the Warren community," Thompson said.
Bill and Kelly Thompson know something of what Zavinski had been involved in. In addition to their work on the 4th of July Organization, they are now in charge of Music in the Park.
"They are doing a wonderful job," Jim Zavinski Jr. said. "It's not an easy thing to do, but they couldn't have picked a better couple of people to take it on."
When the sons of Jim and Frankie Zavinski -- Jim Jr., Jeff, and Mark -- were growing up, their dad taught them to hunt, fish, work on cars, and to be presentable and respectful. "He was one heck of a good dad," Jim Jr. said. "He worked every day."
Respect was a major focus. "Our father and mother taught us that at home," he said.
As far as the boys knew, their father's life of community service didn't begin until their parents had grandchildren. "We never saw that," Jim Jr. said. "That guy just showed up in 1991. He enjoyed it."
"It's an honor to be chosen," he said. "I hope that his service to his community rubs off on his six grandchildren."