Mike Needs issued a special thank-you to the Akron RubberDucks organization for honoring his late daughter, Elizabeth Needs, at a baseball game in Canal Park.

Mike writes:

“I can't adequately express my profound gratitude to the Akron RubberDucks and my fellow baseball ushers for their support following the tragic death of my daughter.

“Lizzie, a nurse at AlterCare in Hartville, died April 28. From the moment of silent prayer for Elizabeth Needs before last Friday's game (amazingly, Nurse Appreciation Night), to the commemorative "EN" badges worn by the ushers, to the long line of ushers in uniform at the funeral home, to the presentation of the special “scrubs” jersey signed by the entire team, the compassion of this organization from top to bottom has been extraordinary.

“So many others also have helped, but especially Patricia Roy for rallying my Leadership Akron friends, my sister Susan Marconi for her many-layered support, my daughter Kathryn Terzano for handling all those things none of us wants to deal with and, of course, Kathy Fraze, who picks me up and keeps me standing every time I start to fall into the abyss of grief.

“To all: Don’t wait for a tragedy to tell someone you love them.”

Mike and Kathy have been together since their BJ days in the newsroom.

Mike was Features Department Editor, Public Editor and design editor at the BJ before retiring and beginning a new career as an interpretive specialist with the U.S. Forestry Service in the Hermit Valley of St. Stanislaus National Forest near Sonora, California. Which sometimes means portraying author/humorist Bret Harte in the Lake Alphine Theatre of the Stanislaus National Forest.

Kathy retired from the BJ in 2012 after four decades as copy desk queen. Kathy has written books based on “letters” from her dog to “Pops” -- Mike Needs -- in care of the U.S. Forestry Service.

Mike is an Ohio State and Cleveland St. Joseph High School graduate who lives in Akron when he’s not under the Western skies.

Elizabeth A. Needs, 37, was born in Huntington, West Virginia and lived in Uniontown most of her life. She was a nurse.

Lizzie is survived by her son, Jared Newman; father, Mike; mother, Rita Terzano; sister, Kathryn Terzano; uncles, Rev. John D. Terzano and Walter Needs; and aunt, Susan (Ed) Marconi.