BJ Controller Roger Messmore retires

Roger Messmore

Roger Messmore, BJ Controller who handled Ol’ Blue’s Finance Department under various names and titles for 32 years, is retiring today.

Cheryl Scott Sheinin, the wife of former BJer Neil Sheinin and retired from the Finance Department after 45 years,  posted:

“After 34 years of managing the Finance Department he will be leaving the Beacon to pursue his love of reading, traveling with his wife and caring for their various breeds of dogs.

“We are not calling this day a party day; it is a memorial day. Roger will be greatly missed at the Beacon. He is one of the last loved and respected senior managers to represent his people and the Beacon Journal.

“We wish the best of luck to you, Roger. Never forget us. We will never forget you.”

I was involved with Roger when the late David White and I filed the successful healthcare lawsuit against the Beacon. Roger was classy in all the dealings with us, even though it was an adversarial situation.

And fair with his calculations about how much reimbursement the BJ owed each of us after we won the lawsuit that cost David Black millions, whether you calculated it in Canadian or U.S. dollars.

When BJ retirees got a letter about the pension not being "fully funded," I called Roger and told him I needed the facts to calm the waters. He obliged, patiently and thoroughly. You read his response on this blog. 

His only management comment: "Just remember that we're being good to you." That's as JSK as you can get.

Congratulations, Roger. 

If every BJ management person were like you and John Knight, it would have been like working in Heaven.

Enjoy your retirement! You earned it.

New role for Mizell after Scripps/Journal spinoff

Mizell Stewart III, former BJ managing editor, is changing jobs again.

Mizell explains:

Mizell Stewart

“Well, friends, it's official: When the spinoff of the Scripps newspaper division is completed in the next month or two, I'll be joining the new Journal Media Group as managing director of content. 

"I'll spend a little less time at home as I commute to the new headquarters in Milwaukee each month, but the tradeoff is the opportunity to work with my good friend George Stanley and the talented team at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. On to the next adventure!”

Wisconsin–based Journal Communications will merge its 13 television stations and 35 radio stations into Cincinnati-based Scripps. Both companies will spin off their newspaper assets into a new publicly traded company, Journal Media Group.

Mizell is vice president/content of the newspaper division of E.W. Scripps.

Mizell Stewart III was BJ managing editor before he left to become editor of the Evansville (Indiana) Courier & Press.

Twinsburg native and Bowling Green graduate Mizell worked in Tallahassee, Florida before coming to the BJ in 2006.

He lives in West Chester Township, which is near Middletown and Hamilton and Cincinnati.

From left: Joe Catalano, a friend, Joe's sister, John Olesky

Joe Catalano passes away

One of the disadvantages of being an octogenarian is that you have to deal with too many former BJ co-workers pass away.

Like Harry Liggett, whose time with me began with crazy, inspirational Pat Englehart on the State Desk.

Joe Catalano with Tim Hayes at Papa Joe's

And reporter Pete Geiger, who died 10 days after Paula and I had lunch with him and wife Sandy in Leesburg, Florida.

And Don Bandy, Terry Dray and Dave White, who shared memories and laughs with me on Siesta Key, Florida.

And Cal DeShong, who provided myriads of BJ employee lists over the years that helped Harry and me when we wrote about BJ Alums on this blog. And Terry Dray, who never met a golf course he couldn't conquer.

Joe Catalano, Marvin Hunt

And now, composing retiree Joe Catalano, whose memories meld into friendship and food, which I sampled regularly from the family’s cart at Falls events on Front Street. And the second Monday of each month when BJ retirees gathered at Papa Joe’s in the Merriman Valley to agree that the Beacon had gone to Hell in a handbaskets since our departures.

Joe’s obituary:

Joseph A. Catalano, 85, passed away Feb. 10, 2015.

Joe was born in Akron to the late Sam and Anna (Fazzino) Catalano and lived in the North Hill area all of his life. He was a graduate of Hower High School. Joe was a faithful member of Christ the King Church for 50 years and most recently St. Anthony Church. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Council #3529 for 22 years.

He worked at the Akron Beacon Journal for 30 years until his retirement in 1989.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His greatest pleasure was having the family and adopted "nieces and nephews" together. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, traveling, casinos and playing cards. Joe was well known for his many card tricks.

Along with his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Anna Mae, in 2010; granddaughter, Erica Catalano; brothers, Tony, Sam, Paul and Angelo Catalano; and son-in-law, Stanley Gmerek. He is survived by his children, Cheryl Catalano, Maria Gmerek, Michael (Tetyana) Catalano, Joseph (Tina) Catalano, Tina (John) Goodson; grandchildren, Jacob (Theresa), Joshua (Alicia), Jason (Alex), Matthew, Julia, Brianna, John Taylor, Geno, Natalie, Gia, Nicole, Joanna, Julia and Jillian; brothers, Frank and Pete (Patsy) Catalano; and many other loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, 10 a.m. at St. Anthony Church, 83 Mosser Place, Akron. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hennessy-Bagnoli-Moore Funeral Home, 936 N. Main St., Akron (corner of N. Main and Mildred). Joseph's final resting place will be Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus, Council #3529. You are invited to hbm-fh.com to view Joe's tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.

Pantages to Medina Gazette as managing editor

Larry Pantages, who began at the BJ in 1972, is leaving to become managing editor at the Medina Gazette.

He’ll leave the BJ Feb. 20 and begin his new job Feb. 23.

 

Larry Pantages

Larry recalled:

“I first started at the BJ in December 1972 answering phones in the sports

department."

Marty Pantages, Larry’s younger brother who was a sports part-timer in the late '70s and early '80s, is a sports layout editor at the Boston Globe.

After I requested more information, Larry replied:

“I started as a sports copy editor in 1977 after graduating from Syracuse with a journalism degree. I graduated from Ellet High in Akron four years earlier and worked at the BJ during the summers.

“In 1976, when the Miracle of Richfield Cavs went on their playoff run, I was assigned to help Sheldon Ocker with some playoff game sidebars.

“In 1978, Sports decided that Carolyn White and Milan Zban needed a 3rd beat person on preps, and that was me. Medina County and the Suburban League were my

primary assignments.

“Then in 1981, Sheldon moved to the Indians beat and Stuart Warner assigned me to

the Cavaliers.

“I reported on the Ted Stepien years of ownership until Gordon Gund took over.

The Cavs made the playoffs in 1985, my last year. It was exciting to cover a 4-game playoff series against the No. 1 seeded Boston Celtics because in all three of the losses, the Cavs had a shot in the air at the buzzer that would

have won or tied the game.

“I left that beat in 1985 and joined Jim Toms' staff as a business news reporter. The tire industry was going through a lot of turmoil then, including the attempted takeover of Goodyear, for which the BJ news staff won a Pulitzer in 1987.

“In 1989, I became Debbie Van Tassel's deputy editor in business news.

“In 1991, I went to Sports as deputy editor to Ken Krause.

“Then I stayed in sports as deputy to Bill Eichenberger from 1993 to 1997.

“Then I was Sports Editor from 1998 to 2006. We did many enterprise projects, including profiles of the 15 greatest athletes of the century in Akron / Summit County, a 50-part series celebrating 50 years of pro golf in Akron (49 years at Firestone Country Club) and a 99-day series on the return of the Browns as an

NFL expansion franchise.

“Along with all that, LeBron James came along at St. Vincent-St. Mary High and then went straight to the Cavaliers in 2003. Also, those were the years when Tiger Woods started a dominating run at Firestone's golf tournament.

“In 2006, I came to Business News as editor. And in 2014, Business was combined with Metro under Rich Desrosiers.”

Larry leaves behind a lot of memories and a remarkable BJ dossier.

Retired BJ printer Paul Midkiff passes away

Paul J. Midkiff

1937 - 2015 |

Paul J. Midkiff

DOYLESTOWN -- Paul J. Midkiff, age 77, went home to be with Jesus on February 7, 2015.

Born on May 8, 1937 in Branchland, W. Va. to the late Jennings O. and Maxine R. (Johnson) Midkiff, he was a resident of Doylestown for the last 20 years. 

Paul Midkiff

A 1956 graduate of the West Virginia School for the Deaf, Paul was highlighted many times in the Romney, W. Va. newspaper for being an All State Football Star player and wrestler. 

He was employed at the Akron Beacon Journal for many years of service as a printer. 

Paul was a member of the Church on the Boulevard in Kenmore where he was very active in volunteering his time and being part of many activities. A very adept mechanic, he loved to work on cars, especially Toyotas.

Preceded in death by his brother, Ray, he is survived by his wife of 20 years, Ranice; children, Paul N. Midkiff, Christopher L. (Christine) Midkiff, Ronald Greene, Ricky Greene, Robin Greene; grandchildren, Benjamin, Bradley, Rachel, Rosetta, Keith, Kendra, Zachary; brother, John (Lynn) Midkiff.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Church on the Boulevard, 754 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, 44314, with Pastor Ron Mohlmaster officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Church on the Boulevard. 

Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com . (Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)

Published in Akron Beacon Journal from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11, 2015

To see the April 2014 BJ Alums blog article about deaf printers at the BJ, click on http://bjretirees.blogspot.com/search?q=Rise+%26+fall+of+deaf+printers+at+the+BJ

Former BJ employee Glenn Mellinger, Jr. passes away

Glenn's father, Glenn Sr., worked in the composing room at the Beacon Journal.

Glenn E. Mellinger Jr.

Our loving son, Glenn E. Mellinger Jr., 52, passed away February 7, 2015. He was born in Akron and graduated from Ellet High School.

Glenn was a life resident of the Akron - Uniontown area and was formerly employed with the Akron Beacon Journal.

He was an avid sports fan and an area high school baseball coach.

Preceded in death by his brother, Mark A. Mellinger.

He is survived by his wonderful and loving parents, Glenn and Judy; children, Bethany M., and Christopher "Cubby" Mellinger; brothers, Gregg (Gail), Scott, and Michael (Jody); nephews and niece, Matthew, Aja and Hunter Mellinger.

The family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 3553 Northdale Street NW, UNIONTOWN, Ohio 44685 (one block NW of the square of 619 and Cleveland Ave.), where funeral service will follow at 7:30 p.m. Graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Cross Cemetery. Please arrive by 10:45 a.m. (Hopkins Lawver, UNIONTOWN, 330-733-6271)

Bob and Kaye Carpenter (on left) and Paula Stone Tucker with John Olesky

Kent State reunion in Florida

A Kent State reunion broke out in Sarasota, Florida on Feb. 5, 2015.

Let Bob Carpenter, one of the participants, explain it.

“Kaye and I drove to the new Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota. We had lunch with a dear friend, Paula Tucker and her friend, John Olesky. They live in Akron, Ohio, and are down for the winter staying at The Villages near Ocala.

“Paula and I go way back to our Kent State University days. She married Jeff Tucker in the early 1970s. Jeff and I worked together as KSU broadcasting students at WKSU and the commercial station WKNT in Kent, Ohio. Unfortunately Jeff died unexpectedly after we graduated.

“Paula and I have been friends all these years . . . we both were there and experienced the Kent State shootings May 4, 1970.

“We had a lot of catching up to do over lunch and had a fantastic time.”

Indeed, we did, Bob.

Racial tinderbox examined

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is publishing a series, “The Story of Ferguson.”

It centers around the killing of an 18-year-old black teen by a white police officer that ignited years of frustration, distrust and anger.

Protests continued for weeks and moved into Clayton, the Shaw neighborhood, St. Louis University, downtown.

A night of arson and looting followed the announcement that a grand jury would not indict the police officer. Protests spread across the nation.

To read more, click on http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/317175/st-louis-post-dispatch-here-from-the-epicenter-is-the-story-of-ferguson/

From Bombay to Birmingham

 

Former BJ reporter and famous author Thrity Umbrigar will be one of the speakers at Southern Voices in Birmingham, Alabama on Feb. 28.

Thrity wrote:

“As a student and teacher of African-American literature, my impressions of Birmingham, Alabama, are jaded, from the bad old days when it used to be called Bombingham.

“And so, it gives me great pleasure to note that I will be one of the speakers at Southern Voices on Sat. Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m. and again at 1:30 p.m. at nearby Hoover Library (in Birmingham).

Thrity Umrigar

“I go with an open heart and a sense of wonder at how much our country has self-corrected itself, even while knowing the work ahead of us. If any of you happen to be in Alabama at the time, please come say hi. I would be thrilled to meet you.”

Others participating in the Southern Voices are Wally Lamb (“We Are Water”), Karen Abbott (“Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy”), Amy Greene (“Bloodroot), James Scott (“The Kept), Jon Sealy (“The Whiskey Baron”), Meg Wolitzer (her work was made into two movies, “This Is My Life” and “Surrender, Dorothy,” which starred Diane Keaton) and Chelsea Cain (Archie Sheridan/Gretchen Lowell thrillers).

Thrity has been teaching creative writing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland since 2002. The Babe from Bombay’s 6^th novel and 7^th book is “The Story Hour.”

Previous novels are “Bombay Time” (2002), “The Space Between Us” (2007), “If Today be Sweet” (2008), “The Weight of Heaven” (2010) and “The World We Found” (2012). Her memoir is “First Darling of the Morning”  (2008).

Thrity left India at the age of 21 to attend Ohio State University.

Thrity began her reporting career with The Lorain Journal. Two years later, in 1987, she came to the BJ.

She left the Beacon to attend Harvard on a Nieman Fellowship, wrote “Bombay Time” and her author career took off.

‘Mockingbird’ sequel coming

Harper Lee, who never published another novel after her Pulitzer-winning “To Kill a Mockingbird,” will have a second novel in July with the same characters that she wrote before she put together her classic novel.

Harper Lee

 “Go Set a Watchman” was completed in the mid-1950s and is set 20 years after “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Scout Finch, the feisty child heroine of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” returns to visit her father, Atticus.

Her editor at the time was taken with Scout’s childhood flashbacks and told her to write a different novel from Scout’s perspective.

“I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told,” Ms. Lee, 88, a native of Monroeville, Ala., said. So she wrote “Mockingbird,” which became a 1962 movie starring Gregory Peck as attorney Atticus. Mary Backham played Scout, Robert Duvall was savior Boo Radley and Brock Peters was Tom Robinson, falsely accused of raping a white woman. 

The line in the film that brings chills to me every time is: "Stand up, children, your father's passing." That said a ton about showing respect.

Ms. Lee suffered a stroke in 2007 and has been living in an assisted living facility.