Note from Maxine in Florida

A note from Maxine Lozier in Ft. Myers, Florida:

It's nice to know that people still ask about you. I miss all the nice people I knew at the BJ and wish I could have lunch with you all every month. Maybe some day I'll get back before I'm too old to travel.

Ted and I sold our home (during the hurricanes). We were amazed but grateful. He bought most of our furniture too. Ted is on oxygen most of the time so we decided it was time to move to a senior citizens development. We have a great apartment on the NW corner, twelve stories up. Beautiful view on the Caloosahatachee River. Sunsets are great.

I still play golf and bridge. Ted had to give up golf, but, if I twist his arm, he will play bridge.We've had a good life and are happy. I have to tell you, I lived all my life in the Akron area until we moved to Florida ten years ago so my heart will always be there with you all.

Maxine & Ted Lozier
2525 E. First Street
Fort Myers, Fl 33901
Tel: 239--332-2557

Hal Fry classified obit

Halleck Duncan Fry Jr.

Hal Fry, 86, died Nov. 13, 2004, after a long bout with Alzheimer's disease.

He was born Oct. 14, 1918, in Washington, D.C., the son of Halleck D. Fry Sr., and Evelyn (Olds) Fry. He also lived in Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia, and New York City before attending the University of Michigan. He served in World War II, where he received the Legion of Merit for his work with photo reconnaissance. Following the war, he returned to Owosso, Mich., to his work as a newspaper reporter. While in Owosso, he met and married Anne King. Hal and Anne moved to Akron in 1949, where he went to work at the Akron Beacon Journal. He was a reporter, feature writer, and editor. He retired as an editorial writer in 1983. He received the John S. Knight Award for journalism in 1984. In retirement, he edited several books, wrote a "History of Rubber" for Rubber World magazine, and wrote "Publish It!", a history of the Akron Beacon Journal, on the occasion of the paper's 150th anniversary. Hal lavished love on his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He devoted over a decade to the care of his beloved Anne as she suffered the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.

Hal was preceded in death by Anne, his wife of 55 years; a son, Patrick Duncan; his parents; and his sister, Scot (Fry) Cisco of Albuquerque, N.M. He is survived by his children, Jonathan Bradford Fry (Kathy) of Oak Park, Ill., Robert Marvin Fry, (Kathy) of Worcester, Mass., Christopher Martin Fry (Dottie Watson) of Melville, N.Y., Elizabeth Ann Fry Connelly (Mike) of Akron, and Michael Donoho Fry, (Suzanne) of Lebanon, Pa. Hal also leaves 17 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren.

The family will be forever grateful to the loving caregivers of Senior Independence Adult Day Care, and Sunrise Assisted Living of Bath.

Fry donated his body to NEOUCOM; hence, no burial will take place. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at Church of Our Savior, 471 Crosby St. Visitation will be held 1 to 3 p.m., with a service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Falls Cancer Club (330-929-2796), the Alzheimer's Association (330-864-5456), or to a charity of your choice.

Please sign the guest book at Ohio.com

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Wednesday, November 17, 2004, page B6, col. 2]

Hal Fry dies

Ex-Beacon staffer dies at 86

Hal Fry remembered for his intellect; wrote book about newspaper

By Elbert Starks III
Beacon Journal staff writer
Hal Fry, a longtime Beacon Journal editorial writer and newsroom editor described as a brilliant wordsmith, died Saturday at an assisted-living home in Bath Township.

He was 86.

Fry, who retired from the Beacon Journal in 1983 after 34 years of service, was part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for the newspaper's coverage of the shootings at Kent State University in 1970.

He also wrote a book, published in 1989, titled ``Print it!'' 150 Years of The Akron Beacon Journal, which detailed various highlights and important events in the newspaper's history.

``He was gifted with his hands and his mind and his heart,'' said his daughter, Elizabeth A. Connelly.

She said her father, a University of Michigan graduate, was fluent in four languages and spoke at least seven.

Connelly said her father enjoyed teaching courses at the University of Akron and at Kent State University, where he stressed principles such as precision and conciseness.

``Hal was probably the brightest person I ever met. I don't recall a subject ever coming up that he didn't know something about,'' said Chuck Ayers, a former editorial cartoonist for the Beacon Journal.

``He was the most incredible person. He was a great guy.... He was kind of like a father, sort of like that, to a lot of people down there. If you ever had a question, you went to Hal. If you were smart, you went to him first.''

Fry's book was described in the Beacon Journal ``as an illustration about the buildings (the newspaper) occupied, the presses on which it was published, the editors and employees who shaped it.'' It also highlighted the changing ways of newsmaking and newsgathering.

Fry also liked to travel, Connelly said, and he ``built two huge additions to the family home in Cuyahoga Falls.''

His wife, Anne, died in 1998. The two were married for 55 years. Fry is survived by five children, 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a memorial service.

Elbert Starks III can be reached at 330-996-3640 or estarks@thebeaconjournal.com
[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Tuesday, November 16, 2004, page B8, col. 1]

Leave comment below

Hal Fry death

News flash from Sarah Vradenburg:



Just got news that Hal Fry died Saturday at Sunrise Assisted Living in Montrose. His

daughter is Betsy Connelly. His body has been donated to NEOUCOM and services are

planned for the Friday after Thanksgiving at Church of our Savior in Akron. 



Details as they become available.



Sarah

Polly Paffilas in hospital

E-mail from Nancy Bonar:
Polly Paffilas was admitted Thursday afternoon through ER to Akron General Medical Center. More high "spikes" for various parts of body, diseases than before. Friday pm: now in "Progressive Intensive Care." Is hoped to move her to private room tomorrow. Polly has worked so hard to be able to be self-sufficient, mostly in order to be in her home with her beautiful white cat, Harvey. Should Polly make it out of AGMC, will probably be to an assisted living facility. Maybe Harvey could be facility's on premise cat, as is done in area nursing homes? In the mean while, prayers for Polly's comfort and wishes. She is an "icon" in my life. NANCY Nancy Y. Bonar, APR Medina, OH

Harry Liggett Notes:

Polly suffered from high blood glucose levels (diabetes) and a urinary tract infection. She has been moved into her own room. I called her today (Saturday) and she sounded happy to receive the call. I had became concerned about Polly when I called her apartment Thursday and got no answer. I called Nancy Bonar and asked her to check. She sent me e-mail that Polly had been admitted..

I hope you will say a prayer for Polly and send her best wishes for recovery.

Polly Paffilas
Room 4101 Akron General Medical Center
Tel. (direct to her room) 330-344-2456
Tel. (patient info) 330-344-6100

To send Polly an electronic greeting card that will be delivered to her room, go to:
https://akrongeneral.org/sendacard/sendacard.asp

Home address:
900 W. Market St. #503
Akron, OH 44313.

Phone chat with Charlotte Earll

BJ composing room retiree Charlotte Earll had a malignant melanoma in the groin area removed. Charlotte told me in a phone conversation that doctors believe they got it all, but she will get further treatment. She was to go to Cleveland Clinic on Thursday (Nov. 11) to get clamps removed and will return the following Thursday for a checkup. Charlotte retired in 1990. She no longer sings in the Sweet Adelines, but does sing in the church choir when she can. She said she hopes to attend the next Beacon Journal Retirees luncheon.

Tom at work in Florida

Tom Moore with Hobbs, the Hobbs Baseball mascot

Tom Moore is in Fort Myers, Florida, for two weeks doing some writing...and a few other things...whatever needs to be done for another BJ type Tom Giffen at the Roy Hobbs Baseball World Series. This photo shows Moore with Giffen's dog, the mascot of Roy Hobbs Baseball wich is primarily an organization geared to 30-and-over competition for people who love the game of baseball and have determined that anyone, any age, can play the greatest of America's team sports. If you are really that interested go to
http://www.RoyHobbs.com

Printer vs. Editorial standoff at lunch

Editorial types 5
Printers 5
Women 0

That was the attendance score at the November 10, 2004 BJ Retirees lunch at Papa Joe's in the Valley. Printers attending were Calvin Deshong, Al Hunsicker, Gene McClellan, Carl Nelson and Robert Pell. Editorial types were Don Bandy, Art Cullison, Tim Hayes, Harry Liggett and John Olesky. There were no women present. Printers are more regular attenders it seems. Bandy, Liggett and Olesky were there for the first time in months.

I f you have forgotten what they look like, click on the headline above to go to a photo album.
Click on individual photos to enlarge. Oops! Cullison left before the shooting started so there is no photo of him.

KR announces management changes

SAN JOSE, Nov. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Knight Ridder Chairman and CEO Tony Ridder announced today a reorganization of the company's senior management that included these changes:

Art Brisbane, currently president & publisher of The Kansas City Star, and Hilary Schneider, currently president and CEO of Knight Ridder Digital (KRD), will become senior vice presidents of the company. Steve Rossi, currently, president of the Newspaper Division, will become the senior vice president/CFO. All three will report to Tony Ridder.

In the new structure, Brisbane and Schneider will share responsibilities for Knight Ridder's Newspaper Division. The vice presidents for News, Circulation and Production will report to Brisbane. The vice president for Marketing will report to Schneider. The Vice President for Technology will report jointly to Schneider and to Tony Ridder.

Newspapers in Philadelphia, Kansas City, Fort Worth, Charlotte and St. Paul will report to Brisbane. Newspapers in San Jose, Contra Costa, Miami, Detroit, Akron and Lexington will report to Schneider.

Brisbane will have oversight of the company's 17 mid-sized and small markets. Newspapers in those markets will continue to report to Vice President/Operations Mac Tully. Schneider will have oversight of KRD and its partnerships (e.g. CareerBuilder, CrossMedia Services).

Tony Ridder said, "This is excellent news for Knight Ridder. Three unusually talented individuals will fill three of the most critical positions in our company.

"Art Brisbane has been an outstanding publisher in every respect since he assumed the job in Kansas City seven years ago. He has extensive newsroom background, including five years as executive editor of the Kansas City Star. With his current position, he has added a wide range of operational knowledge and an estimable record of community involvement to his experience. All of this, combined with the wide respect he already enjoys throughout the company, will enable him to hit the ground running in this greatly expanded role.

"Hilary Schneider has done a first-rate job with KRD, rapidly expanding its revenue, reach and profitability, while simultaneously moving it in a variety of new directions. She spent her early years in investment banking, later moving to Times-Mirror, where she became general manager of The Baltimore Sun. Subsequently, she was CEO of Red Herring Magazine. It's a range of experience that positions her exceptionally well to understand the challenges of communications in the 21st century.

"Steve Rossi has led our Newspaper Division with skill and vision during the most difficult period for the newspaper advertising economy in memory. His capacity for organizational and strategic thinking are in large part responsible for an expanded corporate marketing function and much-improved data reporting, among many contributions. Steve's outstanding analytical abilities, combined with more than 17 years of operational experience, ensure that he will be an exceptionally strong CFO."

The changes are effective Jan. 1.

Knight Ridder is the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, with products in print and online. The company publishes 31 daily newspapers in 28 U.S. markets, with a readership of 8.7 million daily and 12.6 million Sunday. Knight Ridder also has investments in a variety of Internet and technology companies and two newsprint companies. The company's Internet operation, Knight Ridder Digital, develops and manages the company's online properties. It is the founder and operator of Real Cities (http://www.realcities.com/ ), the largest national network of city and regional Web sites in more than 100 U.S. markets. Knight Ridder and Knight Ridder Digital are headquartered in San Jose, Calif.

CONTACT: Vice President/Corporate Relations, Polk Laffoon,+1-408-938-7838, or plaffoon@knightridder.com, or Director/CorporateCommunications, Lee Ann Schlatter, +1-408-938-7839, orlschlatter@knightridder.com, all of Knight Ridder

Web site: http://www.knightridder.com/

Carl K. "Red" Nestor Jr. obit

Carl K. "Red" Nestor

Carl K. Nestor Jr., 68, passed away suddenly Nov. 8, 2004, after a short illness.

Carl retired from the Akron Beacon Journal after 33 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Clarice (Root) Nestor, and his sister, Rutheda Glaspbill. Carl is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Rhea; sons, Jeff and Wesley (Linda) Nestor; daughters, Aleta (Jason) Hahn and Sharon (Rich) Lemmon; two grandchildren, Brendan and Emily; his twin sister, Ellen Dixon, and sister, Betty Pekar.

At his request, there will be no services. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Humane Society of Greater Akron, 4904 Quick Rd., Peninsula, Ohio 44264. (ADAMS-MA SON, 330-535-9186.)

Please sign the guest book at www.ohio.com/obituaries

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Wednesday, November 10, 2004, page B7, col. 1]

News briefs from Guild Reporter

MercNews unions in expedited talks
The five unions at the San Jose Mercury News, including the Guild, agreed Oct. 6 to start expedited negotiations with the hope of reaching agreements by the end of the year. If successful, the “limited issue” bargaining would mean that most of the current contracts would remain unchanged beyond the expiration date of 2006.

More outsourcing of classified ads
Following a growing industry trend, the Philadelphia News and Inquirer and the San Jose Mercury News have said they might outsource some classified telephone sales in Classified Plus so they can have around-the-clock coverage. Based in Williamsville, NY, Classified Plus already has contracts with the Miami Herald, the Detroit News and Free Press and the Los Angeles Times.

Reuters to further boost offshoring
Reuters demonstrated an even more aggressive approach to offshoring by announcing it will shift 55% of its data operations to India, where it will add 860 workers by the end of next year. The decision means the loss of 450 jobs at other Reuters centers around the world, although it’s not clear at this time how many Guild-represented jobs may be affected.

Internet help for tracking lost jobs
Working America and the AFL-CIO have developed an online “Jog Tracker” that permits users to find out which companies are exporting jobs by company name or zip code. The site is at http://www.workingAmerica.org

Report on Don Gresock

This report is via e-mail from Robert Pell

I talked with Don Gresock's stepson this afternoon and he told me that Don's

left side was paralized and he could not walk unassisted. He said Don would

be in therapy for at least six weeks, if I understood correctly, and as of

now he cannot walk unassisted. Brother Dick Gresock has been there for a

while but possibly will start back to Ohio tomorrow.

   I asked him about his mother and he said they were going to have to make

some unpleasant changes but he would try to make them as pleasant as

possible. Although he did not say it outright, it looks like a nursing home

for her... and possibly both of them for a while.

   It's "fun" getting old    ~Bob

Anthony Aquino obit

Anthony Aquino

Anthony Salvatore Aquino died of natural causes in Richmond, Va., on October 3, 2004.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Dorothy Cecilia Aquino. He is survived by his son, Charles Anthony Aquino; daughter-in-law, Anna Galusha Aquino; and his grandsons, Andrew Charles Aquino and Adam Anthony Aquino. He is also survived by his sister, Rosemary Severns and her family of Tallmadge, Ohio and his sister, Dolores Paul and her family of Portage, Michigan.

Anthony was born in Akron, Ohio in 1923. He was employed by the Akron Beacon Journal for most of his professional career. During the 1960s and 1970s he worked tirelessly in the labor union movement as an advocate for workers' rights compensation.

He will be missed by his loved ones.

Please sign the guest book at www.ohio.com/obituaries

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Sunday, November 7, 2004, page B8]

Don Gresock suffers stroke

Beacon retiree Don Gresock of San Antonio, Texas, suffered a stroke about noon Wednesday while working in his garage. His brother, Dick, said Don somehow got into the house, called a relative and was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in San Antonio where he is in intensive care. Dick said his brother had paralysis on the left side, affecting his left arm and hand and could not raise his left leg. However, he was able to call his brother and also called Bob Pell in Wadswoth. Don, now 74, took early retirement.
Don Gresock, 3319 Clearfield, San Antonio, TX 78230 E-mail: CVNL1@stic.net

Neil Sheinen in hospital

BJ mail room employe R. Neil Sheinen is in Akron City Hospital recovering from a single bypass open heart surgery on Monday. Sheinen joined the BJ in August 1984 and worked for a while in sports before joining the mail room. Call patient information at 330-375-3131.

Purloined from Hot Type

Items grabbed from Hot Type, the BJ online company newslettter:

Eight to be honored in Creativity Annual
The work of eight newsroom staff members will appear in the prestigious Creativity Annual, a publication recognizing outstanding art and design internationally.
Two Beacon Journal works won gold medals. Dennis Balogh and Edna Jakubowski won for illustration and page design in the Art/Illustration category for a center spread on Aretha Franklin in Enjoy magazine. Rick Steinhauser won a gold medal in the same category for his illustration of the Rock Hall’s Class of 2004.
Deborah Kauffman Barry was honored for her design work on last year's special section honoring the Akron Zoo's anniversary. Phil Masturzo shot the photographs for the section. Rick Brinson won for his design work on an infographic, "Blossom in bloom again," which mapped out the renovations and updating at Blossom Music Center.
An editorial design award went to Tim Good, Dennis Balogh and Phil Masturzo for their efforts on a Health section front about hormone replacement diets.
Dennis Balogh also won for his illustrations of the Tri-City Jazz Fest and REM coming to Cleveland, both of which appeared in Enjoy magazine.
Kathy Hagedorn was honored for her illustration of the Dixie Chicks in Enjoy magazine.

Road Runner Akron Marathon postscript
Several staff members were among the thousands who ran in the Oct. 2 Road Runner Akron Marathon. Participating on Beacon Blasters, a co-ed relay team, were Dan Belford, advertising; Cathy Harbert, advertising; Steve Hoffman, newsroom; team captain John Russell, newsroom, and his running buddy, Peter Horwitz. The team finished in a total time of 3 hours, 29 minutes and 3 seconds, coming in 27th out of 324 co-ed relay teams.
Denny Gordon, newsroom ran in the male relay division with a group of friends that included former staff members Mike Jewell, Greg Maibach and Eric Sandstrom. Their team, Ten Feet High, finished in 3 hours, 20 minutes and 26 seconds, good enough for 29th place out of 95 male relay teams, said Gordon. Katie Byard, newsroom, ran on a co-ed relay team called Lords and Ladies of the Library. The group finished in 4 hours, 40 minutes and 41 seconds, placing 297th out of 324.

KSU names Nancy Whitehead recipient of 2004 Service Award
Kent State University has named Nancy Whitehead, classified advertising manager, the recipient of a 2004 Service Award. The KSU School of Journalism and Mass Communica-tion (JMC) and Friends of JMC present the award jointly. The entities base their selection on a nominee’s service to the school.. Whitehead received the 2004 Service Award at a homecoming brunch on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Her most recent service to the school was to establish the Nancy E. Whitehead Scholarship to help prepare future journalists and advertising professionals. The scholarship will be worth $10,000 once it’s endowed. The contributions she makes toward that end are matched in part by Knight Ridder. She and her husband, Tom, live in Kent with their two children, Allison, 20, who is majoring in education at Ohio State University, and Neale, 13.

Lorraine G. Grace obit

Lorraine is the daughter of the late BJ artist Joe Grace

Lorraine G. Grace

CUYAHOGA FALLS Lorraine G. Grace, 50, passed away Oct. 24, 2004.

Lorraine Grace was born in Akron, Ohio, and had resided most of her life in Cuyahoga Falls. She was a 1972 graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School, graduated from Akron City School of Nursing in 1975, and was employed as a nurse for Summa Home Care. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Cuyahoga Falls.

Preceded in death by her parents, Theresa and Joseph Grace, and twin brother, Lawrence, she is survived by her sisters, Mary Ann Grace of Stow and Patricia (Patrick) Grubbs of Cambridge; sister-in-law, Linda Grace of Cuyahoga Falls; nieces and nephews, Lawrence Loh man, John Lohman, Thomas Grubbs, Anne Grubbs, Steven Prough, and Jamie Zook; great-nieces and -nephews, Elizabeth Grace Lohman, Tracey Lohman, Collin Grubbs, Michael Prough, and Matthew Zook.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Clifford- Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 9 a.m. Thursday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Cuyahoga Falls. Inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to Hospice of Summa, P.O. Box 2090, Akron, Ohio 44398-9976, in her memory. (CLIFFORD-SHOEMAKER, 330- 928-2147.)
Please sign the guest book at www.ohio.com/obituaries

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Tuesday, October 26, 2004, page B8, col. 2

Roland Queen dead at 59

Roland Queen

Retired Akron sportswriter
leaves legacy of excellence

Roland Queen, who
covered both students
and pros, dead at 59

By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
Roland Queen loved most everything about sports. It was his passion and immeasurable drive that made him one of Ohio's most-respected sportswriters.

Mr. Queen, a Washington, D.C., native, began his 22-year career with the Akron Beacon Journal in 1977. He retired in 1999, leaving a legacy of excellence that inspired his colleagues.

Mr. Queen, 59, died late Thursday night after a lengthy and courageous battle with bone cancer.

Perhaps no one understood the intricacies of a game quite like Mr. Queen, his friends recalled. He possessed an uncanny knack for simplifying complex game strategies, enabling him to connect with his readers. More importantly, Mr. Queen knew how to connect with people.

``He could befriend anybody. He made friends wherever we went. He had a good heart,'' said his son, David Queen, a police officer in Washington.

``He taught me not to judge people. That if you respect and love people, they will do the same in return,'' said his daughter, Tamara Queen, a senior at Miami University in Oxford. ``He was personable, loving, caring, compassionate and sincere.''

Mr. Queen had a soothing demeanor and an endearing personality that made him a beloved figure long after he left the Beacon Journal. Friends said he was loved by people of all walks of life. Color had no boundaries with him.

``He cared more about other people than he did himself. I literally saw him give the shirt off his back and the last $10 in his pocket to someone in need,'' said golf buddy Mike Simon of Akron. ``He was a good friend. He listened well and always had something encouraging to say.''

Mr. Queen, who studied journalism at Kent State University and was a star basketball player in the U.S. Army, had no boundaries as a writer. His editors trusted him with myriad beats: Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Barons, Cleveland Force, the University of Akron.

``He approached what he did as a calling,'' said former Beacon Journal Sports Editor Tom Giffen. ``He had high standards for himself, whether he was writing about pee-wee football or a pro beat. He didn't know anybody he didn't like. He treated the seventh-grader with the same respect as the pro football player.''

The athletes and coaches admired him, too. He developed a lasting relationship with the likes of former Akron and current University of Cincinnati basketball coach Bobby Huggins.

``Roland was always very fair, and he cared about the people he covered,'' Huggins said.

Most athletes and coaches respected Mr. queen's opinions, in part, because he played the games. He had no greater passion than golf. He toiled at the game, trying to find the perfect swing. He was a grinder, who kept plugging away hole after hole, round after round.

`` `Why do I love this game,' he asked himself repeatedly,'' recalled Ralph Paulk, also a former Beacon Journal sportswriter. ``The answer was simple, really. He loved a challenge. He loved the game. Roland approached golf just as he did life and work.''

``He always strived to be a better golfer, a better person and a better writer,'' Paulk said. ``When I arrived at the Beacon Journal, Roland and (the late Beacon Journal sportswriter) Milan Zban taught me the ropes. Roland could be brutally honest in his critique, but it never overshadowed his compassion for others. He never hesitated to tell those close to him how much he loved them.''

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday following family visitation at 12:30 p.m. at the Rhoden funeral home, 1101 Palmetto Ave.

Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or 800-777-7232 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Saturday, October 23, 2004, page B7, col. 3]

Fitzpatrick wins award

Ex-Beacon Journal editor wins award

By Marilyn Miller
Beacon Journal staff writer
CLEVELAND - Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Al Fitzpatrick, formerly of the Akron Beacon Journal, is the winner of the 2004 American Journalism Historians Association local journalist award.

Fitzpatrick, who worked for 29 years at the Beacon Journal, was its first black reporter. He was news editor in 1970 when he supervised the newspaper's coverage of the May 4 Kent State University shootings. In 1977 he was executive editor.

In 1979, Fitzpatrick became coordinator of minority affairs for the Knight Ridder chain, owner of the Beacon Journal. He later moved to corporate headquarters, then in Miami, where he rose to assistant vice president.

He retired from Knight Ridder in 1994.

Fitzpatrick reminded journalists Thursday not to forget their fundamental responsibility -- to investigate and tell both sides of the story. He said people have easier access to information because of technology, but that doesn't ensure instant credibility. It's the journalist's job to sort through information and bring credibility to the table, he said.

Fitzpatrick was interim dean of journalism at Howard University in Washington, D.C., for a year and occasionally teaches a journalism course called Managing Diversity at his alma mater, Kent State.

His award was given during the AJHA convention held this week in Cleveland. The 23-year-old organization fosters research and teaching of journalism history.
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or 800-777-7232 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Friday, October 22, 2004, page B7, col. 1]

Sheila Semonin obit

Sheila Semonin


Sheila M. Semonin (Nee McClarmon)

Sheila M. Semonin, 63, died Monday, Oct. 18, 2004.

Mrs. Semonin was a lifelong area resident who graduated from St. Martha Grade School and St. Vincent High School. She was a former librarian at the Beacon Journal, Mother of Sorrow Catholic Church, and the Hudson Library System. At the time of her retirement, she was employed by Chase Transcriptions. Sheila was an avid reader who enjoyed photogra phy and artistic endeavors. Her life was dedicated to helping others and, although she had many adversities, her wit and contagious smile made life bearable.

Preceded in death by her husband, William, she is survived by her daughters, Julie (Bill) Krukemeyer, Nora (Matt) Fleming, and Annie (Kirk) Weitz; grandchildren, Abby, Alex, Andrew, and Aaron Krukemeyer, and Jack Fleming; sister, Eileen Weber; brother, Steve (Michele) McClarnon; nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Calling hours will be Thurs day, 4 to 8 p.m., at the Dunn-Quigley, Ciriello & Carr Stow Chapel (Kent Road at Route 91). Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, 10 a.m., at St. Martha Catholic Church. Interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Peninsula. The family suggests memorials to the Lung Association.

(Dunn Quigley, Criello & Carr, Stow, 330-253-8121.)

Please sign the guest book at http://www.ohio.com/obituaries

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio, Wednesday, October 20, 2004, page B7, col. 4]