Gene McClellan, Cal DeShong, Al Hunsicker at Papa Joe's

Al Hunsicker, John Olesky

Al Hunsicker passes away

Al Hunsicker, one of the most faithful attendees at the BJ retirees lunches at Papa Joe’s in the Merriman Valley, passed away Tuesday, March 24.

I’ve known Al as a BJ printer and as a Cuyahoga Falls resident for more than four decades.

His daughter, Pam Hunsicker Coy of Norton, and my daughter, Monnie Ann Olesky Johnston of Brunswick, attended Falls High together.

Pam’s father-in-law, the late Al Coy, and I were involved in the Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Baseball Association, often at CFABA board meetings when Al and his best friend, the late Glenn Winsett, were on the CFABA board and in charge of cooking hamburgers during Falls High baseball doubeheaders at Waterworks Park.

In 2011 Pam’s son was in a BJ article because, while a Navy Reservist in Afghanistan, via Skye he watched his daughter, Kaylie Elizabeth Coy, being born April 3 to his wife, Sarah, who was at TriPoint Medical Center in Lake County.

The Papa Joe’s lunches died out because, well, too many who attended died. 

Maybe Al can have a Heavenly lunch with former BJ printers Cal DeShong, Gene McClellan, Watson Blanton, Joe Catalano, Ken Wright and Bob Pell, other Papa Joe’s regulars.

That’s WAY too long a list of dearly departed BJ printers who shared food and laughter at Papa Joe’s.

RIP, Al, Mr. Nice Guy.

Al’s obituary:

Alfred W. Hunsicker

CUYAHOGA FALLS -- Alfred W. Hunsicker, 80, was called home to be with his Lord on March 24, 2015.

He was born in Akron and resided in Cuyahoga Falls for the past 60 years.

Alfred retired from the Akron Beacon Journal after 32 ½ years of service. He was an avid musician, played in a polka band and was a member of St. John St. Paul Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir most of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Lillian, of 59 years; children, Brenda (Dale) Hoover of Springfield, Pamela (Donald) Coy of Norton and Thomas Hunsicker of San Antonio; grandchildren, Jillian Coy and Ryan (Sarah) Coy and great-grandchildren, Kaylie and Brayden Coy.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 27 in the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, led by Pastor Rick Gordon. In lieu of other remembrances, memorials may be sent to the Haven of Rest, 175 E. Market St., Akron, OH 44308 or Moody Bible Institute, 820 North LaSalle St., Chicago, IL 60610.

To view tribute video, send condolences or sign the guest book visit www.cliffordshoemaker.com .