Dimes tradition lives on

By John Olesky (BJ 1969-96)

When Dave White was Beacon Journal Composing room foreman and an editor would complain about something, Dave’s retort was: “Here’s a dime. Call someone who cares.”

After retirement, Dave and wife Gina White, a retired BJ printer, moved to Sarasota and later Venice, Florida.

Each time I winterized on Siesta Key, near the late BJ printer Bill Gorrell’s former retirement complex, I would greet Dave with a dime.

Dave put the dimes in a container that he kept on a shelf along his wall.

After Paula and I had lunch with Gina last month at Turtles Restaurant on Siesta Key, I pulled a dime out of my change purse and handed it to Gina, saying, “In memory of Dave.”

Composing retiree Ed Furcsik dies at 83

[Furcsik, who lived in Barberton, was a composing room retiree.]

Edward Furcsik, 83, passed away at the Hospice Care Center January 28, 2013.He was born January 4, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late John and Julia Furcsik. He was a Korean War veteran, earning a Purple Heart for his heroic efforts. Edward later retired from the Akron Beacon Journal, and loved golfing and playing cards in his spare time.

He lived the latter years of his life caring for his former wife, Debra, who passed away just a short time ago. Edward is survived by his son, John.

Private family services will be held. (ADAMS MASON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 330-535-9186)
[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Thursday, January 31, 2013, page B4, colo.6]

Marv Katz has house for sale

Email from Marv Katz:

As some of you know, Joyce and I have decided to move to Portland, Oregon, to be closer to our daughter Susie and her family, which includes our two grandchildren. We've put our house near Hendersonville, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, up for sale, and we're looking for a smaller house in the Portland area.

It struck me that one of my email correspondents might know of someone interested in relocating to the Asheville-Hendersonville area. For that reason, I'm sending you this link to our real estate listing: http://www.beverly-hanks.com/search/detail/530145.
Please feel free to pass it along to someone who might be interested.

If anyone wants more information, they can contact our agent, Suzanne Beckmann; there's a link to her contact information on the first page of the listing. Or they can contact me via email, or my cell phone at 828-606-1422.

Thanks,
Marv

Donald Fermoyle dies at 76

Donald R. Fermoyle, 76, passed away on January 23, 2013.

He was born March 8, 1936 in Highland Park, Mich. to Ernest and Mary Fermoyle. He worked for the Akron Beacon Journal as a copy editor and reporter and also as a general assignment reporter for the Cleveland Press. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, gardening, traveling, cooking, and eating out.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jack Fermoyle. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty; son, Patrick Fermoyle; daughters, Suzie (Jeff) Whitmer, Christine (Joe) Kaisk, and Kathy (Paul) Koehler; brothers, Kenneth (Liz) Fermoyle and Robert (Jan) Fermoyle; grandchildren, Matthew and Colin Whitmer, PJ, and Mike (Ashley) Kaisk; many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Bacher Funeral Home, 3326 Manchester Rd., on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice at HCR Manor Care or the Alzheimer's Association , in memory of Donald. Funeral home map, directions, and the Fermoyle Family condolence book are available at www.bacherfuneralhome.com.

(Bacher, 330-644-0024)

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Sunday, January 27, 2013, page B6, col. 1]

Wlliam Aylward dies at 91

William Boyle Aylward ("Bill") died suddenly on Jan. 24. He was 91.

He was born in Pittsburgh on Sept. 29, 1921, and moved to Akron when he was seven. He graduated from Buchtel High School. He served four years as a medic in the Army during World War II and was a longtime member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church.

Bill worked for 50 years at the Akron Beacon Journal, retiring as assistant director of circulation in 1991. He was chairman of the board for the Archbishop Hoban High School trustees for many years. An avid baseball fan and player, he is a member of the Akron Baseball Hall of Fame. Bill received numerous awards for his humanitarian efforts. He was very proud of his Irish heritage.

He leaves his loving wife of 61 years, Dorothy ("I'd be nothing without her," he once said); daughters, Aileen Nicolino (John), Maureen Barcic, Carolyn Henretta (Tom); sons, Mark, Timothy and Lawrence (Mindy); brother, Edward; sisters-in-law, Joan Stampfli, and Lucille Westerman; and brother-in-law, Bill Westerman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Catherine; his brothers, John and Joe; brother-in-law, Bill Stampfli and sister-in-law, Faith Aylward. He also leaves his 11 grandchildren, Katie, John and Mary Nicolino, Julie, Kelly and Bill Barcic, Joe and Michael Aylward, Matthew Seikel and Jacob and Spencer Aylward; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill treated everyone with respect, no matter their line of work. He was driven by his values and Christian faith. He taught his children to care for the less fortunate.

Calling hours are Sunday, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St. A Mass of Christian burial will be Monday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave. Interment will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery. PROCESSION WILL FORM AT CHURCH.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Aylward Family Scholarship Fund at Archbishop Hoban High School, 1 Holy Cross Blvd., Akron 44306 or St. Sebastian Parish Foundation, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, 44320. Please visit www.hummelcares.com to view full obituary or to share memories and condolences.

330-253-6126

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Saturday, January 26, 2013, page C1, col. 6]   

LaVonne Crawley dies at 85

LaVonne Thelma Crawley (Reed), 85, passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2013 peacefully in her sleep at her home. The family will receive friends TODAY from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St., Akron. A Celebration of Life for LaVonne will be held Saturday, 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Anthony, Akron, 330.724.1281, anthonyfh.com[

 Akron Beacon Journal, Friday, January 25, 2013, page B4, col.. 2]

She was wife of Richard Crawley, circulation retiree.

Former BJ staffer Don Fermoyle dies

Don Fermoyle died Thursday of pneumonia. His memorial service will be at 2 p. m. February 2 at Bacher Funeral Home in Manchester. The obituary will be in Sunday's Beacon Journal

Former ad employee Mary Ahern dies

Mary Frances "Fancy" Ahern peacefully went to rest on January 18th, 2013 surrounded by her family.

Fancy was born to Joseph and Margaret Ahern in Akron. She was a member of St. Mary's Class of 1968. After graduation she worked for the Akron Beacon Journal and began taking classes at The University of Akron. She then went on to work with the Catholic Youth Organization before entering the religious community of Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, where she remained for three years. During her time with the community, she attended classes at Cleveland State University, where she completed her undergraduate studies in Social Work while working at the Cuyahoga County Jail. Upon graduation from Cleveland State in December of 1979, Fancy continued to work at the jail until 1981 when she started a career with Akron Children's Medical Center as a social worker in the emergency room, Child Abuse Center and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. In May of 1978, she earned a Masters Degree of Science in Social Administration from Case Western University, and she was a licensed Independent Social Worker of the State of Ohio.

In 1990, Fancy joined forces with the Barberton City Schools, The University of Akron and colleagues from Akron Children's Medical Center in a cooperative venture to create Decker Family Development Center in Barberton. She served as the director for 14 years; a job which earned her the award of Barberton Community Foundation-Inaugural Citizen of the Year in 2000. Among her accomplishments, Fancy served as a Partner in Progress for the Oak Clinic; past Co-Chair of Akron Based Coalition; Summit County Early Intervention Collaboration; Preceptor, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine; Summit County Family and Children First Council; Barberton Salvation Army Advisory Board; Barberton Citizens Hospital Board of Trustee. In 2003, Fancy accepted the Thomas F Mahar Outstanding Alumni Award from her alma mater of St. Mary's for outstanding service to the community, an accomplishment that she was deeply touched and honored by.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Margaret Jean (Conway) Ahern and survived by Kevin (Resa) Ahern of Las Vegas, Terry Ahern of Akron, Tim (Sally) Ahern of San Diego, Rory (Anna) Ahern of Akron, Mollie (Dan) Ahern-Ball of Powell and Sean Ahern of Akron. She also leaves behind, her nieces and nephews, Steven, Shane, Samantha, Kevin, Brian, Patrick, Brenna, Michael, Nikki, Joe, Garrett, Rory, Liam, Aiden and Anthony as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A very special thank you to Helen Conway for all of her care and support, and to the staff and nurses of the Hospice of VNS for their amazing care.

Friends and family may call on Sunday, January 20th, 2013 between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m. at the Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St., Akron 44304. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, January 21st, 2013, 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron 44320. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Akron Children's Hospital, 1 Perkins Square, Akron 44308. Please visit www.hummelcares.com where condolences and memories may be shared.
330-253-6126

Reunion in Florida

BJ Reunion: John Olesky and Gina White at Turtles Restaurant on Siesta Key, Florida, on January 18.

A goodbye piece for Stuart and Debbie

Tom Moore writes a goodbye piece on Stuart Warner and Debbie van Tassel, former BJ types who will be joining the Arizona Republic next month.

See his blog column

'Thank You' words to Tom Moore

 This is a 'Thank You" to Tom Moore from Charlene Nevada:

This is to thank Tom Moore:

  

I haven't thought about this for a long time, but I was reminded recently when I complained about difficulties in jumping from a flip phone to a smart phone. Our daughter, Beth, chastised me, reminding me that when she grew  up, we were the first families among her friends to get computers and cell phones. (We thank our son, Jason, who insisted on a cell phone in 1994 – when he was just in high school but earning enough money cooking at A&W to foot his bill).
 
But for the computers. I don’t exactly remember when Art convinced me we needed to buy a Commadore 20. It couldn’t do much that impressed me. Then the Commadore 64 came along shortly after.

And Tom Moore, bless his heart, spent hours with a computer magazine inputing a word processing program – which he shared on floppy discs with all who wanted it. Somehow Dennis McEaneney got involved and got the home computers to talk to the Beacon computers. The next thing I knew I was able to send a story from my home in Tallmadge to the Beacon!!  Hooking the phone modem up, praying we didn't get a call and watching 0s and 1s spin through it. But it worked.

At the time, the Beacon had a limited number of tempermental remotes. But they were grabbed up by reviewers and sports guys. For a mother with young kids – our day care closed at 6 p.m. -  it was a miracle.  It was late 1983, I think. I could go home, finish writing my story, and send it. It would be a decade before I even heard the word e-mail.

But thanks to the pains-taking patience of Tom Moore, many reporters (and correspondents) joined the digital age.

~ Charlene Nevada

 

Geiger nominates Florida reporters for Pulitzer

Former Beacon Journal reporter Pete Geiger, who retired to Penney Farms, Florida, has nominated Florida Times Union reporters Kate Howard Perry and Adam Kealoha Causey for a Pulitzer Prize, journalism’s highest honor.

Anyone can submit a nomination by collecting the stories, writing the recommendation and paying the $50 nominating fee. Kent State’s School of Journalism, for example, often nominated BJ reporters for a Pulitzer. KSU-J nominated Pete  for his coverage of New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson’s fatal private jet crash at Akron-Canton Regional Airport in August 1979. Munson was from Canton.

Pete explains: “I beat the reporting team that the New York Times sent in simply because I could talk to the FAA investigators in their aviation language, so I could write how the crash happened. NYT pulled their team home and used our BJ copy.

“Ahh, but that’s back when our old State Desk was turning out real reporting” under the late, great Tasmanian devil of an editor Pat Englehart.

As for the Pulitzer nomination for the Times Union reporters, when the Times Union didn’t nominate itself, Pete says, “They did good work, so I just stepped in.”

The “good work” involved uncovering suspect and costly practices at Florida State College in Jacksonville, not to be confused with Florida State University in Tallahassee, by president’s executive staff member Donald Green, who had the same position at New Jersey's Essex County College.

That wasn’t all.

A Florida State College associate vice president was suspended after penning a letter to the governor and to state education officials about coverups and wasteful spending at the college.

Unqualified students got Pell grants and the federal government imposed a $515,000 finding on the college.

The college president charged more than $187,000 over two years to the college for telephone, Internet and a leased Cadillac.

The president also gave $16,000 of college money to local charities but in his name, which provided a tax benefit to him.

The president asked the board of trustees for $1.2 million in retirement, accumulated leave and on-going “consulting” fees, the title of “president emeritus” and an off-campus office. The board agreed, but later reduced the package to $1 million.

       

Further audits revealed additional mistakes that could cost the college $25 million.

One of the trustees resigned.

The vice president who also had held the New Jersey job was fired in Florida and sued the college for wrongful termination.

The board vowed to resist a federal review over alleged student record changes.

Says Pete: “The story is on-going and reporters Perry and Causey continue to follow it. Common wisdom in our profession, John, is that, for a Pulitzer Prize to happen, a significant event must occur in a newspaper’s purview and the newspaper must field the talent and bear the expense to cover it excellently. In my view, Perry and Causey have cleared the first two hurdles in the process. I wish them well.

“Meanwhile, we can hoist another brew to the memory of newspapering in Ohio that won a passel of Pulitzers" -- 4 for the BJ.

Pete and wife Sandy moved from Mongolia, after 13 years of teaching English in the Asian country beginning in 1994, to Penney Farms, a Christian retirement community 38 miles west of St. Augustine. They have been married 51 years. 

Pete often had inside knowledge of powerful religion leaders in the Akron area, which made his reporting far beyond the usual religion writer.

Medicare phone scam

A man with a foreign accent has been phoning the elderly in Ohio, requesting personal and banking information. He tells senior citizens that Medicare is sending out new cards and that he needs the information to process theirs. 

Do not give any information over the phone to someone who calls you. It’s another scam to empty out your bank account.

Four regulars attend BJ lunch

Four regulars attended the monthly BJ retirees lunch at Papa Joe's restaurant.  From left are Lonnie Thomas, Carl Nelson, Tm Moore and Al Hunsicker.  Photos provided by Tom Moore.

A fun way to better health

If you're a senior citizen and 

1. Want your brain to release endorphins that act as painkillers and reduce anxiety.

2. Want your body to release substances that bolster your immune system.

3. Want to lower your chances of depression.

Here's the answer: Sexual activity. It does all those things for the elderly, who apparently are taking advantage of the benefits. A national survey says more than half of people 75 to 85 report that they have sex more than two or three times a month.

In one pocket & out the other

The government giveth with one hand and takes away with the other.

Medicare Part B monthly premium for outpatient services went up $5 to $104.90. The $5 comes out of the $21 monthly increase for the average Social Security recipient, who gets $1,261.

The Part B annual deductible went up $7 to $147 and the Part A (hospitalization) increased $28 to $1,184. 

Medicare recipients average spending $4,500 a year of their own money for health care, according to the nonprofit Medicare Rights Center.

No more paper Social Security checks, starting March 1

If you are among the 5 million people still receiving paper checks from Social Security, you'll have to switch to direct deposit to your bank or a Direct Express prepaid debit card.

The government is getting out of mailing Social Security checks, starting March 1, letting computers handle the job in an effort to save money and avoid muggings on the way to the bank with a paper check.

More than 58 million already have direct deposit.

To sign up for direct deposit, go to GoDirect.org or call (800) 333-1795.

Stampede from printed publications continues

Newspapers are not the only publications abandoning the printed version for online distribution.

The Physiotherapy Journal published its final printed version in December. The quarterly publications will be online only in 2013 in March, June, September and December.

Newspapers that switched to online-only publication include:

Kansas City Kansan, founded in 1921, owned by Gatehouse Media.

San Francisco based AsiaWeek, after nearly 30 years of publication.

Spanish-language weekday paper Hoy Nueva York, owned by Impremedia, which also has Spanish-language El Diario La Prensa in New York and La Opinión in Los Angeles.

The Sasebo Soundings newspaper, a longtime source of command and community information at Sasebo Naval Base in southern Japan.

At least 100 newspapers have dropped one or more days of print editions in America, including a dozen in Ohio. Some, including the Plain Dealer, are contemplating digital-only publication, abandoning the print version completely. 

You can go to the online version of any newspaper in the world at http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/

How reliable is electronic vigilante justice?

Hackers for the Anonymous group have brought more information into the public spotlight about the alleged Steubenville rapes, but journalists are having problems separating the electronic vigilante justice from evidence that would hold up in court.

Click on http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/199911/the-challenges-journalists-are-facing-while-covering-the-steubenville-ohio-rape/

for the entire article in Poynter.org.

In another story, in Slate:

Nearly one in five women are raped, according to government statistics. But about 6 percent of men are rapists. Repeat rapists account for the difference.

About 54 percent of rapes go unreported, again according to government statistics, although it’s not clear how you know about an unreported rape.

Two to 8 percent of rape reports are false, according to material developed by McDowell and Hibler (1987). But a person is named in the false rape reports a much lower percentage of the time.

Click on http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2013/01/08/the_enliven_project_s_false_rape_accusations_infographic_great_intentions.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content

for the full Slate article.

Dispatch closes The Other Paper

COLUMBUS--The Columbus, Ohio, alt-weekly The Other Paper will close at the end of January. It’s owned by the Dispatch Printing Company, which publishes the Columbus Dispatch, as well as an A&E paper called Alive!

“In viewing the research of who reads the two publications, and after hearing from the local advertising community, it became more and more obvious that one publication would better serve our readers and advertisers,” said Michael Fiorile, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Dispatch Printing Co.

The Other Paper was sold to the Dispatch Printing Company in 2011.
[Reprinted from Poynter Online]

Cathy Strong's daughter weds

1970s State Desk reporter Cathy Strong’s daughter, Amanda, was married to Jeff Shima near Waiouru, New Zealand on Saturday.

Amanda Strong, Jeff Shima wed

Another daughter, Rebecca Strong, married in 2005 in Otaki, New Zealand.

Rebecca is a hydrographer and lieutenant in the New Zealand Navy and her husband, Lt. Dion Hewson, is also a lieutenant in the Navy. Rebecca and husband Dion have a son and two daughters.

Penolope, Cathy and former husband Percy Strong’s third daughter, is a real estate agent in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Cathy lives in a beach village outside Wellington, New Zealand. She went from communication and media sciences professor at Zayed University in Dubai to the faculty of the Wellington Journalism School within Massey University, where she is developing a masters program in journalism.

Andes mountain high for Mike Williams

Advertising Art retiree Mike Williams and wife Jane wasted no time hiking into the mountains of Ecuador. Mike’s BJ retirement party was Dec. 21. 

Mike Williams in Ecuador

This photo was taken in Santa Ana de los Cuatro Rios de Cuenca, usually known simply as Cuenca, Ecuador.

In 1557 the Spaniards built the capital of the Azuay province  on the ruins of the Inca city of Tomebamba. It’s more than 7,000 feet above sea level in the sierra of the Andes and is fed by four rivers that are part of the Amazon River watershed.

Late? Just PhotoShop them in

PhotoShopped quartet (red box) of latecomers

If everyone doesn't show up in time for a photo shoot, just snap the latecomers and PhotoShop them in. That's what was done for the historic photo of Democratic women in the first Congress without a majority of white men with the "D" before their names.

There are 20 women in the Senate and 81 in the House.

Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida and an unnamed fourth Congresswoman were PhotoShopped in.

To see the entire article and the original photo and the PhotoShopped version, click on http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/199637/pelosis-office-releases-doctored-photo-of-female-lawmakers/

Composing Room retiree Bob Kendall dies

We have receved a report that Bob Kendall who retired from the composing room passed away on December 31.  His family had a private service for him on January 4.

Washingon Times lays off staff

The Washington Times has just laid off newsroom staffers in a move that’s been in the works for weeks. New top editor David Jackson and new Times CEO Larry Beasley broke the news at a meeting of approximately 20 employees, according to one person who attended.

“They came in and said, ‘It’s unfortunate to have to do this. This is the toughest part.’ … They’re sorry and they have to make painful decisions moving forward,” reports the now-former employee. “I would call it pretty much boilerplate.”

One person asked Jackson and Beasley how the paper would manage with what would now be a threadbare photo department. The answer was that the Times would have to be resourceful and perhaps use wire photos when available. More standard, depressing newspaper-downsizing talk, in other words.

Layoffees will get a half-week of severance pay for each year they’ve been with the publication, though everyone will get a minimum of two weeks’ severance. Health benefits, according to the source, will be paid through the end of the month.

Rumors are flying about the names of which Times staffers have been let go. We’ll publish those once we get confirmation directly from them.

Warners going to Arizona Republic

Stuart and Debbie (VanTassel)  Warner are moving to the Phoenix Arizona Republic in early February;. Stuart will be senior content manager and Debbie will be the features editor.

Debbie announced it to the features staff yesterday. Memos went around today.nix.

 

This is what Stuart posted on Facebook:

It's official! I passed my drug test even though I barely studied and I am now a Senior Content Manager at the Arizona Republic in Phoenix, starting Jan. 28, back in a real newsroom after more than 4 years in my basement. Will be sad to leave Northeast Ohio after 33 years, but excited to get the opportunity to do some real journalism again. I guess there are Second Acts after 60.

BJ in memoriam 2009-2012

2012

Jan. 2 – Jack McDermott, retired Plain Dealer sportswriter.

Jan. 19 – Rose Mary Biliczky, mother of reporter Carol Biliczky, in Medina County.

Feb. 11 – Faye Stoyer, wife of retired assistant managing editor Lloyd Stoyer.

March 11 – John Rice, brother of retired Features Desk editor Joan Rice, in South Carolina.

March 17 – Jane Stone, mother of former State Desk reporter Paula Stone Tucker.

March 19 – Gene McClellan, composing retiree.

April 2 – Nicholas Reswow, father of copy desk’s Olga Reswow Griffin.

April 26 – Donna Furman, widow of composing retiree Larry Furman.

April 30 – Betty Iula, widow of promotion department retiree Ralph Iula.

May 8 – Ron Edwards, mailroom retiree.

June 16 – Howard Wood, Loomis Electric & BJ pressroom production equipment electrician.

July 3 – Dave Allbaugh, former BJ reporter, in Dayton, Ohio.

July 11 – Donna Giffels, former BJ columnist David Giffels’ mother, in Bath.

July 25 – Composing retiree Cal Deshong, at 93.

July 26 – Art Cullison, copy desk retiree, in Erlanger, Kentucky.

Aug. 21 – Stephen Froelich, brother of former BJ reporter Larry Froelich.

Sept. 14 – Jane Herbert of Green, BJ retiree after 20 years at paper.

Sept. 15 – Henry Ruppel, former BJ financial editor, Goodyear corporate communications manager.

Sept. 21 – Lloyd Long, BJ Retail Ad retiree.

Sept. 27 – Joe Kovach, Babcock Publications, Auto Week Magazine.

Oct. 12 – Former BJ reporter and Los Angeles Times columnist Jim Ricci’s mother, Cecelia Ricci.

Dec. 3 – Dave White, retired Composing foreman, in Venice, Florida.

Dec. 21 – John Spencer, pressroom retiree.
Dec. 31 -- Bob Kendall, Composing retiree.

2011

Ralph E. Norman, widow of former BJ reporter Pat Norman, Jan. 3.
Jack Patterson, former BJ sports writer, Jan. 22.
RoseAnn Schleis, BJ reporter Paula Schleis’ mother, Feb. 6.
Guy F. Limbacher, former BJ reporter Jolene Limbacher’s former husband, Feb. 12.
Dennis ``Denny' O'Neil, former BJ circulation department, March 1.
Lloyd S. Leadbetter, Composing retiree, Feb. 12.
Frank William Pantages, father of BJ's Larry Pantages, March 14
Donald Lee Bandy, BJ rewrite man, March 20.
Michael Ryan Tople, grandson of BJ photographer Paul Tople, May 17.
Anne Louise Henry, former BJ correspondent, May 28.
Luella D. Cordier, retired Record-Courier editor, June 8.
Linda Golz, BJ reporter, June 11.
James Kirby (Jim) Farrell, former BJ ad director, July 1.
Richard H. Backderf, 84, father of former BJ artist John "Derf" Backderf, July 3.
Charlotte Ruth McCarthy, former BJ reporter Pam McCarthy’s mother, July 28.
Harry Dunphy, father of former BJ reporter John Dunphy, July 31.
Philip Hegenderfer, 66, BJ astronomy column, Aug. 9.
Creed C. Black, former president of John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Aug. 16.
Theodore J. Mellow, former PD editor/slotman, Aug. 21.
Danny Hess, son of retired BJ reporter Dave Hess, Aug. 23.
Dr. Evonne H. Whitmore, Kent State journalism professor, Aug. 25.
Harold Ray McElroy, BJ business retiree, Sept. 5.
Bob August, former Cleveland Press columnist, Sept. 9.
Lisa Katz Pagel, daughter of Marv Katz, PR and BJ, Sept. 21.
Leonard Arthur Burkhard, father of Sharon Loentzen, Sept. 22.
Robbie Stillman, PR and former BJ reporter, Oct. 4.
Evelyn Ruth (Gretta) Pantages, mother of Beacon Journal business editor Larry Pantages, Oct. 5.
James E. Dancy, Sr., retired engraver, Oct. 14.
Elizabeth Hallowell, former BJ reporter, Nov. 9,
Terry Oblander, former BJ and PD reporter, Nov. 13.
Leo V. “Vern” Osmar, 83, Composing retiree, Nov. 24.
Ethel Rita Aspell, wrote for the BJ before 1970s, Dec. 14.
Brian Usher, former BJ Ohio Statehouse reporter, Dec. 23.

2010

Joan Morris, 73, retired chief artist Bud Morris' widow, Jan. 22.
Ann Deskovich, 88, maintenance department retiree John Deskovich's widow, Feb. 19.
Mary Elizabeth Swartz, 87, former BJ reporter, March 7.
Charles "Chick" G. Lipford, husband of accounting retiree Martha, March 26.
Ruth Kenny, 85, in the BJ accounting department in the 1970s and 1980s, March 31.
Mary Ohlinger, 90, retail ad retiree and sister of the late retired BJ printer Jerry VanSickle, in March.
Terry Lieberth, husband of Maribeth Lieberth, Accounts Payable (previously Human Resources and the Newsroom), April 11.
Steven Spragg, 38, of Middleburg, Virginia, retired printer Sid Sprague's son, May 4.
Nettie Evans Skeens, 75, retired printer Bob Skeens' widow, June 12.
Helen C. Liggett, 79, wife of newsroom retiree Harry Liggett, June 26.
Michelle LeComte, former BJ enterprise and features editor, Aug. 3.
Carol F. Guregian, mother of BJ staffer Elaine Guregian, Sept. 2.
William "Bill" James Carney, father of BJ staffer Jim Carney, Sept. 7.
BJ Circulation truck driver retiree Raife Woodall, 69, Sept. 12.
Arleen Louise Durst, 88, widow of former BJ printer Gene Durst, Sept. 26.
Carlos ``Carl' Anderson, 85, Nov. 11.
Theresa Ann Osmar, 78, wife of composing retiree Leo Osmar, Nov. 16.
Elizabeth Margaret Harvey, 95, former BJ food editor, Nov. 25.
Dick Shippy, 83, BJ staffer, Dec. 6.
Robert A. Coudriet, 87, retired circulation manager, Dec. 10.
M. Elaine Schoenleb, widow of former BJ News Editor Edwin Schoenleb, Dec. 30.

2009

Cleveland Phillips, maintenance, Jan. 20.
Barbara Patterson, wife of sports retiree Jack, March 17.
Robert Kamenar, freelance photographer, March 22.
Watson Blanton, printer, March 25.
Robert Cull, father of reporter Mike, April 4.
Nancy (Lile) Wise, May 27.
Bill Kennedy, July 20.
Armand Lear, printer, June 5.
Virginia Berger, wife of promotion's Bill, Aug. 5.
Kevin Jackson, son of Gary, Aug. 6.
Olga O'Neil, Aug. 22.
Stephen Schleis, father of reporter Paula, Oct. 11.
Terry Dray, printer, Oct. 25.
Trammel Hogg, printer, Nov. 15.
Kevin Vest, sports statistician, Nov. 18.
Bob Nold, sports writer, Dec. 20.

Headlines sent to us by Charles Buffum

Headlines sent to BJ Alums by Charles Buffum, former Beacon reporter who hangs out in New York City with Kathy Goforth these days.

Laugh about 2012 with Dave Barry

To read Dave Barry's hilarious review of 2012, click on
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/dave-barrys-year-in-review-2012/2012/12/18/8aaa4dd2-3f37-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend