Abe Zaidan, 89, of Fairlawn, passed away peacefully at
home on April 26, 2021.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy; his sons,
Rick and Mark; daughter-in-law, Karen Fitzgerald, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his infant sons, James and Daniel, and his parents,
Abe and Helen Zaidan of Mt. Pleasant, Pa.
Abe was born in Johnstown, Pa. in 1931 - and grew up in
Mt. Pleasant, Pa. He attended the University of Pittsburgh for two years and
transferred to the University of Illinois and graduated from their School of
Journalism in 1953. He worked for the school’s radio station (WILL) as a
newsman.
He and Nancy married in November of 1953. In May of 1954,
he was inducted into the US Air Force and served as a communication officer for
two years at Mitchell AF Base on Long Island.
His first newspaper job was in 1956 for the La Porte,
Indiana Herald Argus, after two years he joined the staff of the Columbus Ohio
Citizen Journal. In 1963 he became editor of the Commentator Magazine in
Columbus, Ohio.
When the Commentator ended its run after 5 years, a friend
suggested he interview with the Akron Beacon Journal. He got the job and always
felt it was the best move he ever made. Working for John Knight was the
highlight of his career. He worked as a Reporter, Metropolitan Editor,
Political Editor, and Columnist. In 1971 Abe was part of the Beacon Journal
team that won the Pulitzer Prize for their team coverage of the Kent State
shootings. He won the John S. Knight Award in 1991.
He worked for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for several years
before he retired, however he never stopped writing and wrote his 'Grumpy Abe'
blog about politics for a dozen years, only stopping that a few months ago.
If you would like to remember him, he felt very strongly
about the Akron-Canton Foodbank.
Private family services will take place. To Share a
Memory, Send a Condolence, or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at
www. billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)
No comments:
Post a Comment