Ray Redmond’s widow passes away
Nea Redmond, former BJ Portage County bureau chief Ray Redmond’s
widow, passed away Sunday, August 19.
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Nea Redmond |
Ray was the guy who got the FBI's damaging report on the National Guard’s
actions in the May 1970 killing of four Kent State students and the wounding of
nine others. The FBI said the shootings were unwarranted.
The Portage County prosecutor left the report on his desk, walked
out of the room, so that Ray could read it, take notes, etc. That's the kind of trust and relationship Ray built as a reporter.
That led to another Pulitzer Prize for the BJ for its coverage of
Governor James Rhodes’ actions that led to the killing of America’s children
and hastened the end of the Vietnam War amid growing national outrage.
Ray was an information officer in General George “Blood and Guts”
Patton’s 3rd Army and was with Patton on D-Day in 1944 for the
rescue of France from the Germans.
Ray was with the BJ for 34 years, retiring in 1975. He was born in
Warren, Ohio.
Bill Lilley quoted me in his BJ tribute obituary when Ray passed away
in 2008:
''He WAS the Portage County Bureau forever it seemed,'' said
retired Beacon Journal assistant state desk editor John Olesky. ''He handled
everything out there and did a great job. He also was a great guy.''
Ray and Nea were regular volunteers at the Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Church on Union Street.
Nea’s obituary:
Nea Redmond
Nea Redmond, age 95, passed away on
August 19th.
A lifelong resident of Akron, Ohio, she
was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Emelia Mack; loving husband, Ray
Redmond; brother, Nick Mack and devoted cousins, LTC. George P. Manos and Chris
Manos. She is survived by cousin, Jeanette Manos and many second and third
cousins.
As a 1941 Akron East High School graduate, Nea became a secretary at
Goodyear Tire and Rubber. She retired after 44 years as a legal secretary.
During her time at Goodyear, she worked for notable attorneys.
Nea and Ray
enjoyed traveling and loved visiting Paris, Italy, Hong Kong and Greece. She
enjoyed floral gardening and spending time with her cat, Chevette.
Nea was a member of the Akron
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and the Philoptochos Society. She
volunteered with the Church Sunday School, Greek Festival, and the Gyro
Luncheon.
Calling hours will be held at the
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 24th. The
funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. In
lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox
Church Building Fund, 129 S. Union St., Akron Ohio 44304. To share a Memory,
Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billo wfuneralhomes.com . Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel