Guide to the Eugene Barone Papers 1980-1996
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- Eugene Barone Papers
- Creator
- Barone, Eugene
- Collection Number
- MSS 0614
- Extent
- 2.0 linear feet (2 boxes)
- Date
- 1980-1996
- Abstract
- Eugene Barone was a Pittsburgh native who served as President and CEO of Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania (BCWP) from 1984 through 1994. He also served on a variety of civic committees during his life, and was repeatedly recognized for outstanding community service. Eugene Barone died unexpectedly in 1995 at the age of 61. The Eugene Barone Papers include numerous event programs from award ceremonies at which he was honored, signed letters from President Ronald Reagan and Senator John Heinz acknowledging a 1987 award, enlarged photographs of athletes autographed personally to Eugene Barone, as well as newspaper clippings focused both on Eugene Barones achievements and highlighting BCWP in the news.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History
Eugene Barone, a Pittsburgh, Pa., native earned his BA and Masters Degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He began working for Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania (BCWP) in 1958 as a sales representative. In 1984, Eugene Barone was elected President and CEO of BCWP, and served in that position for 10 years. He developed The Caring Program for Children, sponsored by the BCWP, which provided free and low-cost healthcare coverage to children from working uninsured families in Western Pennsylvania. It has been acknowledged as his proudest professional accomplishment.
Eugene Barone served in numerous civic positions throughout the Pittsburgh region during his life, acting as chairman of the Building Committee of the Sickle Cell Society, Chairman of the Nursing Home Section of the 1986 United Way Campaign, a member of the Board of Trustees of Seton Hill College, and member of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.
Eugene Barone was repeatedly recognized for outstanding community service. He was awarded the 1987 Community Service Award by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nni B'rith, an achievement acknowledge by letters from President Ronald Reagan and Senator John Heinz. He received the third annual John E. McGrady Award from the Catholic Youth Association of Pittsburgh, Inc., in 1988, and the Courage to Care award from the National Council on the Aging in 1993. An athletic enthusiast, Eugene Barone was elected to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Dapper Dan Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1990 as the "USA wrestling man of the year". The same year, he was elected Man of the Year by the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Eugene Barone was presented with the C. Rufus Rorem Health Service Award, from the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, posthumously in 1995. Eugene Barone died on September 21, 1995, at the age of 61. He was husband to Janice, and father to three daughters.
Scope and Content Notes
The Eugene Barone Papers include numerous event programs from award ceremonies at which he was honored, such as the 1987 Community Service Award awarded by the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazettes' 1993 Wrestling Classic Hall of Fame induction special recognition banquet. Signed letters from President Ronald Reagan and Senator John Heinz acknowledge his 1987 Community Service Award. A January 1991 edition of Pittsburgh's Business Magazines Executive Report, with Eugene Barone on the cover, contains an interview titled, "In the Eye of the Healthcare Storm." There are several issues of the Bulletin, the BCWPs' newsletter, as well as a BCWP annual report from 1995. The papers include a photograph of Eugene Barone and President George H.W. Bush, as well as two signed photographs with President Bill Clinton, and First Lady Nancy Reagan.
The Papers contain several oversized items, including five enlarged photographs backed by Styrofoam board. They are personally autographed to Eugene Barone from Pittsburgh Pirates Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke; Penn State football coach Joe Paterno; 1988 U.S. Women's Basketball Gold Medalist Suzie McConnell; participants in the 1993 World Senior Freestyle Wrestling Championship held in Canada; and the three U.S. Women's Olympic Qualifiers from the 1988 Pittsburgh Marathon including Margret Groos, Cathy O'Brien, and Nancy Ditz. There are five medium sized photographs, as well as newspaper clippings focused on Eugene Barones achievements, and others highlighting BCWP in the news.
Seton Hills' spring 1996 edition of its magazine Forward, features a memoriam piece following Eugene Barones death, as does a Pittsburgh Post Gazette advertisement from September 1995.
Arrangement
One of the two boxes in this collection is oversized.
Conditions Governing Access
None.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift from Janice Barone in 1997.
Archives accession # 1997.0377
Preferred Citation
Eugene Barone Papers, 1980-1996, MSS 0614 , Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Alex J. Toner on 10/14/11.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Separated Materials
This collection contains one box of oversized materials including enlarged, autographed photographs.
Related Materials
The Library mantains two books focused on Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania. "A practical vision : the story of Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania, 1937-1987 / by Margaret C. Albert ; with a foreword by C. Rufus Rorem," call #: HG9398 .B658 A333. Also, "The art of Fifth Avenue Place," call #: N6488.5.B55 B55 1990. Additionally, there are two archival materials, an annual report from 1980, and a community report from 1990.
Subjects
- Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania.
- Pittsburgh (Pa.)
- Insurance, Health--Pennsylvania—Pittsburgh
- Insurance, Hospitalization--Pennsylvania—Pittsburgh
- Civic Leaders--Pennsylvania.