Edward B. Dunlap Jr. was the kind of man who was known as much for giving away money as he was for making it.
And when you’re a business mogul who founded CentiMark, a billion-dollar corporation and the largest commercial roofing and flooring company in North America and owner of a variety of eateries — including Mount Washington’s landmark LeMont Restaurant — that’s saying something.
Mr. Dunlap was first and foremost a giver — a soul who couldn’t turn away from those in need.
In everything from Meals on Wheels to medical centers and endless community efforts, his acts of philanthropy will define his legacy, friends and loved ones said.
“Ed was a very quiet philanthropist. He was humble about everything he did and he never wanted recognition for anything he did,” said his longtime friend Dr. Alan Yeasted, chairman of the St. Clair Health Foundation, where Mr. Dunlap and his wife Anna Dunlap gave their time and resources in many ways over the years. “Ed was acutely aware that not everyone could make ends meet and he was always first in line to ask if he could help.”
Mr. Dunlap died in his Upper St. Clair home surrounded by his family on July 23 after an extended illness. He was 83.
He understood financial hardship, growing up in Painesville, Ohio, Dr. Yeasted recalled.
“If Ed heard about someone struggling, it always would touch his heart because he started out with nothing,” he said. “I knew him when he started his business in his basement. In the beginning, he was just an entrepreneur who believed if you worked hard, you would be rewarded. To him, his success was a gift he was given. It wasn’t anything he deserved. He felt that he should share it with others — that was his philosophy all along.”
The nuns who taught him at St. Joseph High School in Ohio had a lasting impact on Mr. Dunlap’s life, said Kathy Slencak, public relations manager at CentiMark.
“He had a lot of stories about the nuns and the trouble he may have caused them in school,” she said. “As a businessman, he could never say ‘No’ to any nun when they asked him for a charitable donation. Every year, the Little Sisters of the Poor visited the Dunlaps’ home at Easter and Christmas with their homemade cookies for the family. He cherished those visits and always had a donation waiting for them as well.”
Mr. Dunlap served with the Coast Guard from 1956 to 1960, and came to Pittsburgh in 1961 to launch a new sales territory for Rand Industrial, said his son Timothy M. Dunlap, who took over as president and CEO of CentiMark last year.
The first company he started was Northern Chemical, which sold flooring and janitorial supplies, in 1967.
With his experience selling commercial flooring, Mr. Dunlap realized there was a need for installation services, his son said, leading him to diversify with commercial flooring and then commercial roofing installations.
With just $1,000 in his pocket and a single associate, Mr. Dunlap founded CentiMark in the basement of his home in 1968. Today, the company, based at Southpointe in Cecil, Washington County, boasts 95 offices and 3,500 associates.
Hard work, along with fortuitous and prescient choices along the way, cemented his father’s place at the top of his industry, his son said.
“In the early 1970s, a new product — EPDM (rubber) roofing membrane — hit the market,” he said. “He took a chance on the new roofing membrane which turned out to be a game-changer in the roofing industry and for CentiMark. And, I was on the roofing crew that installed CentiMark’s first EPDM roof on St. Mary’s School.”
Mr. Dunlap’s motto in business was: “Work hard, work smart, work safely and have fun,” his son said.
The latter was especially true in Mr. Dunlap’s long and happy marriage.
Theirs was a love story, Ms. Slencak said.
“He saw Anna Billante and her friend eating lunch at a diner during their lunch break,” she said. “He sat down at their table beside her friend so that he could look at Anna. By the end of the lunch, Anna’s friend gave him Anna’s phone number. It was love at first sight for both of them.”
The couple married in September 1970 and had their reception at the LeMont.
“After the restaurant went up for sale, he bought it because he loved the memory of his wedding so much,” said Bill Laughlin, banquet manager at LeMont.
When the Dunlaps bought the 40-year-old restaurant in 1999, it was in need of a major overhaul, Mr. Dunlap told the Post-Gazette in 2000. Along with a renovation and expansion, they increased the staff from 80 to 120 employees.
“We kept the fabulous view of the city and the dedicated, long-time staff,” Mr. Dunlap said in the May 2000 story. “Everything else is new.”
“They really fixed it up,” said Mr. Laughlin, who has worked at the restaurant for 44 years. “They put millions and millions of dollars into the place. And, he was a wonderful and extremely generous person. During COVID, we were closed on and off for two years, but he continued to pay health and pension benefits for all of the employees. He taught me a lot about business and he taught me about being a good person. We are really going to miss him.”
Local officials said the loss of Mr. Dunlap will be felt far and wide.
“Edward B. Dunlap, Jr., or as most knew him, Mr. D, leaves behind a legacy of excellence in business and his philanthropic endeavors,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said. “Known throughout the Pittsburgh community as an innovator, leader, and friend, Mr. D will truly be missed. May his memory be a blessing for all who knew and loved him.”
Pittsburgh City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said, "Mr. D was a truly generous and humble man. He helped struggling people across the country, abroad, and locally while at the same time never wanting to take credit for the incredible charitable work that the Dunlap family did. Ed never forgot about people locally, including donations to help reopen the historic Ream swimming pool and rec center that serves Mt. Washington and Duquesne Heights. My heart goes out to Mrs. Dunlap and the Dunlap family.”
“Ed Dunlap was among the most generous men I have ever met,” said Councilman Anthony Coghill. “I’ve always appreciated that Ed came from humble roots, rose to such great heights, and then was able to give so much back to the communities he came from.”
State Senator Wayne Fontana remarked, “Ed was a generous man who was approachable and easy to talk to. He cared deeply about others and always tried helping those in need. He will be deeply missed.”
“Ed was a quiet guy who made a huge impact,” said state Rep. Dan Deasy. “He was a neighbor who challenged me to be a better elected official but more importantly a better person. I strive to measure up to the values and standard he set for himself.”
“Mr. Dunlap was a good friend and an even better man. He used the LeMont as the charitable arm of his enterprise to support the nonprofits and political causes he believed in,” said county Treasurer John Weinstein. “The nonprofit community was immensely helped through his kindness and generosity."
County Councilman Bob Palmosina shared, “Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have been pillars of our community. From humble beginnings he was a self-made man whose businesses grew to the point where he became one of the most successful men of our era. Mr. Dunlap poured money and resources into organizations that made a real difference to our community and the youth of our neighborhoods. A devout Catholic, the most important thing to Ed was his family and his faith.”
Democratic Committeeperson Rob Gigliotti said, “I was honored to know him and it was a pleasure to be around him. Being educated by Mr. Dunlap was the honor of my life. He will be missed.”
The Dunlaps owned more than 75 other businesses that ran the gamut from a weekly newspaper in Somerset County to National Polymers Inc., the nation’s leading manufacturer of private label epoxy floor coatings and similar industrial products in Speers.
A devout Catholic who attended Mass daily at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church in Upper St. Clair, Mr. Dunlap supported untold organizations and causes, including Meals on Wheels in Peters, the Dunlap Family Outpatient Center at St. Clair Health and the Dunlap Family Athletic & Recreation Center at St. Vincent College.
“Ed was always so supportive of us,” said Susan R. Hanawalt, retired director of Meals on Wheels @ The Crossroads in Peters, which serves about 130 clients. “He built us a whole new, beautiful kitchen in 2010 at the Peters Township Fire Hall and he paid the rent.”
In addition, Mr. Dunlap donated the services of several of his employees to work as volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels every Friday.
His friend humbly declined awards and recognitions for his generosity and often did his good works anonymously, though Mr. Dunlap did agree to allow his name to be used at the family outpatient center, recalled Dr. Yeasted at St. Clair.
“We really weren’t sure that he would let us put his name on the building,” he said, laughing. “I was the one charged with going to talk to him about it. He said, ‘I’ll do it if it’s the family name. I’m not going to do it for myself.’ Ed helped us in so many ways over the years with facilities and support for employee and patient assistance programs. He always wanted to help those who couldn’t help themselves. All of us will miss him terribly.”
His father was an unforgettable character and “a great salesman with a great sense of humor,” said his son, who hopes to carry on his legacy.
“I am proud to be Ed Dunlap’s son,” he said. “I am very proud of my father and his accomplishments and will honor his legacy as I follow in his footsteps to lead CentiMark into the future.”
Along with his wife and son, Mr. Dunlap is survived by his children Maureen Hallas, Kathleen Dunlap and Stephen "Beaver" Dunlap; his siblings Patrick Dunlap Sr., Virginia Curry and Eileen Staats; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are welcome Saturday and Sunday, from 2 to 8 p.m. at William Slater II Funeral Services, 1650 Greentree Road, in Scott.
A Mass of Catholic Burial will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church, 320 McMurray Road, Upper St. Clair, followed by entombment at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum, 2900 Washington Road, in Peters.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to:
Coast Guard Foundation, Attn: Edward B. Dunlap Memorial Fund, 394 Taugwonk Road, Storington, Conn., 06378.
Make-A-Wish Greater Pittsburgh & WV, Attn: Edward B. Dunlap Memorial Fund, The Gulf Tower, 707 Grant Street, 37th Floor, Pittsburgh 15219.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Attn: Edward B. Dunlap Memorial Fund, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105.
Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com.
First Published: July 27, 2022, 11:29 p.m.
Updated: July 28, 2022, 9:58 a.m.
