JOHN SEABURN, GREAT PERSON AND EXCELLENT SPORTSWRITER, PASSES AWAY AT AGE OF 88

 

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