Advertising Art’s Joe Sabo passes away

Joe Sabo, who gave the BJ company newsletter its name of Tower Topics during his 40 years in Advertising Art Department, passed away Tuesday, December 26.

Mike Williams recalls:

“Joe was an Ad Dept artist. I got to know him when I worked in Ad Art as Advertising Sections editor 1977-79. He was a quiet guy with a subtle sense of humor. His art lettering was a distinctive feature of many BJ-built ads in the 1960s and 1970s.

“His title, Tower Topic, won the naming contest for the ABJ employee newsletter in 1968.”

By the way, it was the late Clyde “Bud” Morris, then the newsroom chief artist, who gave the Channels TV guide its name when I was Television Editor.

Former BJ sports editor Ken Krause remembers Joe from the Allied Printcraft bowling league days. And from being heavily involved in the BJ Jamboree.

Another Sabo, Christine Sabo, was a BJ marketing and community relations director, but doesn’t appear to be related to Joe Sabo. Christine replaced Rita Kelly Madick.

Christine Sabo was raised in Norton and graduated from Norton High School and the University of Akron. After college, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a reporter for a few years at a weekly newspaper before joining the Newspaper Association of America.

She married Akron native Edward Sunkin.

Joe Sabo’s obituary:

Joseph Thomas Sabo

Joseph Thomas Sabo, 84, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2017. He retired from the Beacon Journal as an artist with 40 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Joseph and Rose Sabo; brother, Richard; sister, Shirlee; and son David. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife, Pat; sisters-in-law, Darlene Sabo, Donna (Jim) Greer, and Claudia Mills; daughters, Debbie (Rich) Martin, Diane (Jim) Busley; grandsons, Brad, Brian, Patric, Beau (Ashley), Benjamin (Caroline) and Cody. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Memory Care Unit at Essex of Tallmadge.

A private family service will be held. Cremation will take place. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Memory Care Unit at Essex Healthcare of Tallmadge. In memory of our father, please support legislation to advance protection of the elderly who are being neglected, abused, and exploited by people with whom they trust. ADAMS MASON FUNERAL HOME, 330-535-9186.