BJ sports statistician Roger Grecni dies at 62

\WADSWORTH -- Roger Grecni, age 62, started his life in heaven on Tuesday, April 22, 2008. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He fought his cancer bravely and with great faith.

Born in Akron on March, 3, 1946 and preceded in death by parents, Katherine and Emil Grecni, and step-mother, Dorothy, Roger lived in the Akron area until 1970 when he moved with his wife, Kathy, to Wadsworth where he lived for the rest of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy; children, Kristy (Jay) Alexander and Steve (Lori) Grecni; granddaughter, Elise Alexander and grandson, Levi Grecni. He is also survived by his brother, Jim (Debra) Grecni; sisters, Janet (Robert) Hogue, Maureen (Randy) Popa, and Hope (Don) Sine. He had six nieces, six nephews, five great-nephews and a great-niece.

Roger graduated from Garfield High School in 1964 and received his Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of Akron, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He taught math for Wadsworth City Schools for 30 years, starting at the junior high level and transferring to Wadsworth High School in 1981. Roger was a natural teacher and had a life-long devotion for learning. After retirement he was employed as a sports statistician for the Akron Beacon Journal.

Music was a great love of his and he spent many years singing in church choirs. He sang barbershop harmony with the Akron Derbytown Chorus and with several different quartets. His last quartet family, Spotlight, was with Guyles Clifford, Scott Giles, and Tom Gentry. Roger followed Wadsworth sports and enjoyed the years he was the voice of the Grizzly basketball team. He enjoyed watching the Browns and the Cavs, but he was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians, never giving up on them during their off years. The last several years he enjoyed being one of the official scorers for the Akron Aeros.

In his spare time he enjoyed traveling, biking, tennis, and playing bridge. He dearly enjoyed getting to know his 5-month-old granddaughter, Elise, and Levi entered this world following his death.

Calling hours will be held at Hillard-Rospert Funeral Home at 174 North Lyman Street in Wadsworth, on Sunday from 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 p.m. The barbershop chorus will sing at 7:30. Roger's "Celebration of Life" will be held on Monday at 3:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, located at 116 East Boyer Street in Wadsworth. Memorial contributions may be made either to First Christian Church or toward a scholarship in his name at Wadsworth High School. Scholarship contributions can be made through the Wadsworth Medina County Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 1010, Wadsworth, OH 44281.
(Hilliard-Rospert, 330-334-1501)
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH,Friday, April 25, 2008, page B7, col. 2]