Thursday, December 20, 2012

Todd Windhorst dies at 62

He is the father of Brian Windhorst, ESPN sportswriter who was at the Beacon Journal in 2003-8.

Todd E. Windhorst, 62, of Austintown, Ohio, formerly of  Akron, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at his home.

He was born June 18, 1950, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the son of Walter and Dorothy Windhorst.

Todd was a loving husband and father with a passion for sports. He was a sports official for Portage County
Basketball, Summit Umpires, greater Akron Volleyball, Youngstown sports, as well as on the state level and formerly the director of operations for Roy Hobbs Baseball in Akron. He received many awards over the years for his work in athletics, but his biggest award was mentoring young sports officials. His greatest love was for his family, especially his grandchildren who he was affectionately known as "papa" or "poppy".

He will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Laurie Gillam, whom he married Sept. 2, 2009; a son, Brian (Maureen Fulton) Windhorst, of New York; a daughter, Kristen (Jeff) Sparks, of Dayton, Ohio; three step children, Josh Pytlik, of Austintown, Kate (Lenny) Davis, of Austintown and Jake (Katherine) Pytlik, of Oklahoma; two sisters, Lynn Gagetta, of Pennsylvania and Joan Jackson, of Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Cody, Julianna, Taylor, and Brooklyn; many nieces and nephews, a grandchild on the way and his dog Skippy.

Todd was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Windhorst Jr. and his parents.

Funeral services will be held Fri., Dec. 21, 2012 at 7 p.m., at the Lane Family Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel. Friends will be received from 5 p.m. until the time of services.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lane Family Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel. Family and friends can send condolences to www.lanefuneralhomes.com.


Published in Akron Beacon Journal on December 20, 2012

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