BETHEL PARK, Pa. —
The family of Jon Gentile, who died in 2022 while kayaking in eastern Pennsylvania, is celebrating the passage of a new law requiring warning signs at run-of-the-river dams to prevent future tragedies.
Jon Gentile lost his life while kayaking with his father when they went over an unmarked run-of-the-river dam. He was an avid outdoorsman, a Bethel Park school teacher along with his wife, Kathy, and a father to their son, Jon Carlo, who was 9 years old at the time.
“I feel like Jon’s legacy is so much bigger than the tragedy that took his life,” Kathy Gentile said.
Kathy and her family have spent years advocating for this change. Their efforts led to a bill written by Kathy’s 24-year-old niece, which was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The law requires all run-of-the-river dams to have adequate warnings on the river, as the dangers ahead can be difficult to see without them.
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Jon’s family, including his now 13-year-old son, attended the signing ceremony, which took place just two days before Kathy and Jon’s wedding anniversary.
“We talk about Jon every day, all the time. I will talk about Jon with him every day until the day I die,” Kathy said.
Kathy views the new law as just the beginning of her husband’s legacy.
“I don’t think this is an ending point. I absolutely think this is the start of something even greater — just the general awareness on the waterways, saving lives, making our waterways a safer place for Pennsylvanians. I don’t think Jon’s legacy stops here,” she said.
In honor of the new law and Jon’s memory, his family was recognized at the Bethel Park High School football game on Friday night. Fans were encouraged to wear flannel in his honor.
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