John Seaburn,
88, passes away
Former BJ and
Canton Repository sportswriter John Seaburn, who spent 41 impressive years at
his craft, passed away November 4.
John covered the
PGA, LPGA, Masters, NCAA basketball Final Four, PBA championships.
John is in the
Greater Canton Amateur Sports Hall of Fame, Summit County Sports Hall of Fame.
He is survived
by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Seaburn.
John was part of
the amazing BJ Sports Department that included
Stuart Warner, Tom Melody, Paul Bailey, Jim Derendal, Ken Krause, Bob Nold,
Sheldon Ocker, Larry Pantages, Jack Patterson, Dick Shippy, Dan Thom, Ray
Yanucci and Milan Zban.
The
State Desk during my time as an assistant like Harry Liggett under the
legendary Pat Englehart we were next to that department and we regaled by their
activities and fun.
They
helped make it such a pleasure for me at the BJ that I ran to work every day
for 26 years of my 42-year newspaper career.
John
Seaburn was a quiet and amazing talent in that pool of crazy, talented writers
and editors who brought Northeast Ohio sports to live for the BJ readers.
John’s
obituary:
MOGADORE - John R. Seaburn, 88, passed away on November 4, 2023. Born in
Beaver Falls, PA, he was a resident of Akron.
He graduated from Beaver Falls High School and
completed 2 years at Geneva College in PA.
John served 8 years in the Air Force and was employed
as a Sports Writer for both the Canton Repository for 10 years and for the
Akron Beacon Journal, where he retired with 31 years of service.
He enjoyed covering all sporting events: outdoors, pro
bowling, college & pro basketball, baseball, football, PGA & LPGA
Tours. He covered the Masters, NCAA basketball final four, PBA Championships
and many other major events.
He won numerous writing awards. He researched and
discovered the first black football player from 1904 named Charles Follis in
Shelby, OH.
In 1967 he was inducted into the Greater Canton
Amateur Sports Hall of Fame after the Stark County Federation of Conservation
Clubs chose him as Conservationist of the Year for helping get the organization
started.
He organized the Summit County Senior Golf Association
in 1983. He was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame when
presented with the Andy Palich Award in 2002, in recognition for outstanding
contributions to the betterment of sports in Summit Co. He achieved other
accomplishments that are too numerous to mention.
Outside of sports he enjoyed reading, fishing and
writing his autobiography, “Out of Tank Alley.”
John was preceded in death by his parents, John J.
Seaburn and Ruth (Anderson) Seaburn; brother, Gerald Seaburn (survived
Cathryn).
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia
Seaburn; children, John L. (Cindy), Jeffrey, Joni, Jim (Darlene) Seaburn;
grandchildren, John O., Todd, Stephen, Justin Seaburn, Jillian (Mike) Zucosky,
Allison (John) Pickering, Michelle (Nick) Marcellus; 8 great-grandchildren;
brother, Jim (Jane) Seaburn.
Cremation has taken place and a private ceremony will
be held at Western Reserve.
Memorials are suggested to the Myasthenia Gravis
Foundation of America, 290 Turnpike Rd, Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581 or
your favorite charity.
(Hopkins Lawver, AKRON, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com
No comments:
Post a Comment