GEORGE, AL, TOM: From Bradford to Pittsburgh to Atlanta, Georgia — the community connections are plumb.

Try getting a plumber in a big city. Not so easy. My wife Susan and I encountered frustration last week when the pilot light on our water tank refused to light. Our Pittsburgh reliable and caring plumber from past services was too busy to be reliable and caring. We grabbed the phone book and after five “we’re too busy” or “we can come in a week or two” excuses, finally one said “I’ll be right over.” I had mentioned to him that we had cold water overnight and somehow mentioned Bradford.

His response was the truth…he was at our door within 20 minutes. He quickly turned on the stubborn pilot light. The fella was Al Urban, owner of Urban Plumbers in Cranberry Township.

The Bradford inquiry?

Al said he responded because of the cold water emergency, coupled with my mention of Bradford — which obviously pried Al’s curiosity, as it did mine.

I soon discovered that Al is the brother of Tom, the now-retired and very accomplished CEO of Beacon Light.

Tom is now living in Atlanta, Georgia. Al said he and his brother phone each other weekly. Tom’s contributions to the community are legendary. Within minutes Al phoned Tom, and Tom and I enjoyed recalling many mutual good times and endeavors.

What a small world!

On a chance phone call, now we have a respected and reliable and caring plumber. And I was fortunate to be connected with an acquaintance from the past.

But do not forget that getting a plumber to drop the phone and come right over is no easy task in the big city. Al Urban proved to be the exception.