In roughly three weeks, two local giants in their respective communities passed away. And while one had their hub of operation in Bridgeport and the other in Clarksburg, the impact on thousands of individuals goes well beyond the respective municipal borders and even those of West Virginia.

 

When you hear the names, and many will know one if not both, you will see the term “thousands” is not hyperbole. In fact, it is probably safe to say the number is in the tens of thousands and maybe north of six figures.

 

The two of whom I talk about are Dr. Kenneth Paul Wilson, known as Kenny to most, and Larry J. Policano. Wilson passed away Dec. 22, 2024, in Texas at the age of 81. Policano passed Jan. 10, at the age of 75.

 

I do not to want to suggest I was close acquaintances of either man. I had few encounters with Wilson and casually knew Policano, who I did see frequently and always exchanged greetings with. I did, however, know their children, having either gone to school with them, ran in the same social circles, or in some manner became friends with them.

 

What I knew long before reading both of their obituaries is that both were giants in their fields of work. Because of that, the community has benefited from it. The best part of it all is both men, from all accounts and even a few personal ones, were not only a joy to be around, but they were kind.

 

By any measure, Wilson and Policano were successful businessmen. Upon arrival of said success, they could have chosen to do what some do in their position of success sometimes do and turn their nose up at those outside of their immediate circle. Instead, they chose to follow a path of decency.

 

If one needed proof of just how good of men these two were, they only need to have been to their services. Wilson’s celebration of life at The O by Oliverio’s was a four-hour event that drew hundreds, if not more than 1,000, individuals to reminisce about a life well lived.

 

The same held true for Policano. His viewing at Amos Carvelli funeral home reportedly had more than 1,500 visitors. The funeral service and mass at his beloved St. James Catholic Church in North View had the small sanctuary filled to the rim with hundreds of friends and family.

 

Both earned the respect of the community through their efforts within the community. With Wilson, respect was earned as the founder of a dental practice in Nutter Fort in 1969 that is now spread across the Mountain State with its home office in Bridgeport on Main Street. You know it today as Wilson Martino Dental after Dr. Robert Martino – equally generous in the community and the force behind the growth – joined Wilson not only to help make the practice an even bigger premier facility in the state, but to allow Wilson to eventually retire.

 

And Wilson did retire. While he returned to West Virginia on occasion to see family or celebrate a milestone involving the practice bearing his name, he moved to Texas where he could take his love for the outdoors to the next level.

 

What he started on the dental front has helped so many individuals – and not just for the paying customer. The practice is known for its deep roots in charity from providing free services to veterans and children through associated programs to coat drives for needy children and candy drives for troops serving overseas.

 

That did not stop with the passing of Dr. Wilson. I do not have to be Nostradamus to predict there is a 100 percent chance of the giving continuing not only for as long as Dr. Martino is around, but even after he decides to step away from the daily grind.

 

While Wilson’s business efforts were focused primarily on one area, Policano’s was diverse. The always dapperly dressed Policano is known by many for being the owner of the Clarksburg Beauty Academy (although its full name has & School of Massage attached to it). If you are getting your hair styled locally or even far away, if you go to a salon, if you visit a massage parlor, chances are high – especially throughout the region – Larry Policano’s business DNA is embedded in it. They might be the employee, they might be the owner, but there is likely a cord that goes back to the Beauty Academy.

 

Policano was also a developer. Along with his wife Angela, who also co-owned the Beauty Academy all the siblings had acquired from their family to continue a long- standing Clarksburg tradition. And, they contined to develop Rose Bud Plaza in Clarksburg also after siblings acquired it from family. Although no longer in the family’s hands, the plaza has served Clarksburg and Harrison County for decades – and continues to do so. For good measure, they also serve today as owners of Spa Policano in the same plaza their family created.

 

If you did not find Policano in his business setting or on the social scene, you could find him at church. He was a pillar of St. James Catholic Church and the North View community and showed action in his faith by not only serving the church but carrying on his late father Dominick’s efforts with the North Central West Virginia Parkinson’s Support Group.

 

For those needing further proof of their success, one needs to look no further than to their families. I cannot name them all, but I can name a few.

 

I graduated with Dr. Wilson’s daughter Shannon and became really good friends with his daughter Tiffany Wilson Batcheller who was a year behind me in school (who just happens to be one of the funniest and enjoyable individuals I’ve ever had the pleasure of calling friend), and later got to know their brother Craig. I saw Craig’s gentle nature and when writing about his son – Dr. Wilson’s grandson Timmy Wilson – who eventually passed after a valiant battle with cancer. I am certain the rest of the family tree has strong branches as well.

 

As for Policano, I am friends with his sons – both of whom are prominent individuals in the public eye. Dr. Brian C. Policano and Matthew V. “Matt” Policano. Dr. Policano’s gentle nature has served him well as a friend to many and as a heavily respected pediatrician with decades of experience in the medical field. Matt is the owner and operator of Kelly’s 2.0 in Clarksburg, and it was the place where Larry often would be found – usually courting an audience. It is clear Matt’s business sense and knowing how to be the boss and be respected at the same time – along with a smile, handshake, and a kind word – is a trait inherited from his father. Like Wilson, the Policano family tree is large and overflowing with beautiful branches.

 

If I only knew their children, I would know that Dr. Kenny Wilson and Larry Policano were a success. It was written on the faces of the most important pieces of their lives.

 

But I know it ran deeper than that. They were successful to the core and because of that their community, their region, and their state is better for it.

 

They had wonderful lives, careers, and families. They could have done anything they wanted through the efforts of their labor and often did. In the end, though, they did what I believe is the true measure of a person.

 

They were good men.

 

Rest in peace gentlemen. Your work here is done.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of Dr. Kenny Wilson, while Larry Policano is shown after that. The third photo is of Dr. Wilson and his daughter Tiffany. The bottom image is of Larry Policano and his wife Angela.