Monessen renames street in honor of Albert Lexie
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
Over the last few months, Monessen has renamed several alleys in honor of various well-known and well-loved residents.
Last month, the city gave a portion of Fourth Street from Donner Avenue to its northern end the honorary name of Albert Lexie Way.
Albert Lexie, “The Shoeshine Man” at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for more than 30 years, donated more than $200,000 of his tips to a fund for patients there.
He passed away at age 76 in October 2018.
Lexie took the bus from his home at Westgate Manor in Monessen to the hospital twice a week so he could raise money for the Free Care Fund to benefit the young patients, whom he often referred to as “my kids.”
Lexie built his shoeshine box in shop class at Monessen in eighth grade, his final year in school. He received an honorary diploma from Monessen High School in 1999.
Lexie got his start by shining shoes for employees and others at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Former MVH president and CEO Anthony Lombardi asked if Lexie wanted to see the kids at Children’s, and he excitedly said yes.
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