Ray Redmond’s widow passes away

Nea Redmond, former BJ Portage County bureau chief Ray Redmond’s widow, passed away Sunday, August 19.

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 3^rd 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