39th wedding anniversary for Mark & Sara Dawidziak

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Former BJ and PD TV critic Mark Dawidziak and Sara Showman Dawidziak are celebrating their 39^th wedding anniversary today.

 

Mark and Sara met when they were both in the cast of Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor” in Tennessee. A year later, there was a Mark-Sara wedding in Johnston City, Tennessee, where Mark was working on the Kingsport Times-News.

 

To cement the courtship Mark showed “Psycho” during a film series he ran while they were dating. By comparison with Norman Bates it made Mark look so good that Sara took the bait.

 

Mark and Sara have been performing together, on stage and in private, ever since including with their Largely Literary theater company that takes on Edgar Alan Poe, Mark Twain, etc.

 

They have a photographer extraordinaire daughter, Becky.

The BJ plucked Mark in 1983 as irascible David Bianculli’s replacement for TV critic. Mark was best TV writer I had during my 16 years as TV editor and I had 3 good ones!

Before the BJ & the PD, Mark's career took him to the Kingsport Times-News in Tennessee,
the Bristol Herald Courier in Virginia, the Associated Press’ Washington bureau and Knight-Ridder Newspapers’  Washington bureau.

Mark is justifiably in the Cleveland Press Club’s Journalism Hall of Fame and writes books more often than he changes underwear, which is NOT a comment on his hygiene.

Mark was born in Huntington, New York (think Long Island), on September 7, 1956, a son of World War II Army Air Corps captain/navigator Joseph Walter Dawidziak, buried in Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, and Claire Dawidziak. Later, Joe married Bernie Dawidziak.

Mark’s siblings are Joe, Jr., a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran; Jane, Aileen and Michael.Click on photo montage to enlarge it

Former BJ and PD TV critic Mark Dawidziak and Sara Showman Dawidziak are celebrating their 39^th wedding anniversary today.

 

Mark and Sara met when they were both in the cast of Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor” in Tennessee. A year later, there was a Mark-Sara wedding in Johnston City, Tennessee, where Mark was working on the Kingsport Times-News.

 

To cement the courtship Mark showed “Psycho” during a film series he ran while they were dating. By comparison with Norman Bates it made Mark look so good that Sara took the bait.

 

Mark and Sara have been performing together, on stage and in private, ever since including with their Largely Literary theater company that takes on Edgar Alan Poe, Mark Twain, etc.

 

They have a photographer extraordinaire daughter, Becky.

The BJ plucked Mark in 1983 as irascible David Bianculli’s replacement for TV critic. Mark was best TV writer I had during my 16 years as TV editor and I had 3 good ones!

Before the BJ & the PD, Mark's career took him to the Kingsport Times-News in Tennessee,
the Bristol Herald Courier in Virginia, the Associated Press’ Washington bureau and Knight-Ridder Newspapers’  Washington bureau.

Mark is justifiably in the Cleveland Press Club’s Journalism Hall of Fame and writes books more often than he changes underwear, which is NOT a comment on his hygiene.

Mark was born in Huntington, New York (think Long Island), on September 7, 1956, a son of World War II Army Air Corps captain/navigator Joseph Walter Dawidziak, buried in Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, and Claire Dawidziak. Later, Joe married Bernie Dawidziak.

Mark’s siblings are Joe, Jr., a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran; Jane, Aileen and Michael.

 

 

Barb Albrecht passes away

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Barb Albrecht passes away

Barb Albrecht, who was a BJ Stark Country bureau clerk before switching to the BJ message center at 44 E. Exchange Street, passed away Friday, October 2.

She was rehabbing at Laurels Nursing Home in Massillon with a broken foot.

Barb and husband Donald Albrecht both graduated from Perry High School and raised their family in Perry Township in Stark County.

Survivors include her husband, daughter Dana Albrecht Hire, twins Daniel Albrecht and Abby Albrecht, 1 grandson and 3 granddaughters.

Barb was a prize-winning cross-stitch artist.

 

George Bing Davis, who has worked at the BJ and the Stark County bureau, posted:

“Merleen and I were notified by her son that Barb Albrecht, a secretary-receptionist for several years in our Stark Bureau and then in the BJ newsroom passed away during the night at the Laurels nursing home.

 “Barb was our neighbor and friend for 45 years.”

 

Barb’s obituary:

Barbara A. (Ball) Albrecht
On Friday, October 2, 2020, Barbara A. Albrecht of Massillon, loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 72.

Barbara was born on February 24, 1948 in Canton, Ohio to Willard and Margaret (Merritt) Ball. She graduated from Perry High School in 1966. After graduation, Barbara moved to Washington D.C. to work at the Pentagon. She moved back home, and on October 28, 1972, married her husband of 47 years, Donald.

Barbara was employed by the Timken Company, Perry Local Schools, and Trinity United Methodist Church. She retired from the Akron Beacon Journal where she was a Message Center specialist at both the former Stark Bureau and the Akron newsroom.

Barbara was an award - winning cross-stitch artist and enjoyed crocheting blankets. She was named “Mother of the Year” from the Mother of Twins Club. She enjoyed growing flowers, watching Westerns, and spoiling her grandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Willard and Margaret (Merritt) Ball.

She is survived by her husband, Donald, her three children, Dana (Andrew) Hire, Daniel (Amy) Albrecht, and Abby Albrecht (Santos Garcia); grandchildren Ethan & Meredith Hire and Isabel & Alisera Garcia; her brother, David (Bonnie) Ball and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Paquelet Funeral Home and 10 – 11 a.m. on Friday. A Celebration of Barb’s life will be held on Friday, October 9 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research: www.michaeljfox.org

Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory
(330) 833-3222

 

Joe Rice passes away

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Joe Rice interviews President Reagan

Joe Rice, who was a BJ politics writer before switching to the PD, passed away on Wednesday, September 30. He was 78.

Joe left the BJ in 1973..

He lived in Richmond Heights, a Cleveland suburb, with wife Janet Barragate Rice. Their children are Peter and Chris.

Joe Rice was a PD police reporter 1964-68 and a PD politics writer 1973-91. He left the PD to become a consultant for  politics, business and other areas.

Joe interviewed President Reagan on Air Force One in 1981.

He recalled:

“I will always remember my exclusive with President Ronald Reagan in the fall of 1981. A friend of mine who worked for Reagan arranged it. I was told that if I came to Cincinnati, I could fly to Washington on Air Force One. A few minutes after I boarded the plane, I was taken to the President’s cabinet and did a 30-minute interview.

“I reported that Reagan would not object to bringing striking air traffic controllers back to work. My story made national news.

“During the interview, Reagan said he had heard my wife was a good cook from then-governor Jim Rhodes. He called my home and spoke to my wife, who was very excited. I was the envy of a lot of reporters.”

Reagan’s assault on the controllers union was the beginning of the erosion of American strength and middle-class financial stability in America.

Joe’s obituary:

JOSEPH D. RICE, age 78 of Richmond Heights passed away suddenly Wednesday September 30, 2020. Beloved husband of Janet (nee Barragate); loving father of Peter (Karin) and Chris (Nicole); dearest grandfather of Krista; brother of Pam Maranto (Savvy), Walter (Myra), Thomas and the late Roberta; dear uncle and friend of many. Joe was the political writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for most of his career and retired as a political consultant. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105, www.stjude.org . Private family service. A celebration of Joe’s life will be announced at a later date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katie Byard retires from BJ

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Reporter Katie Byard retired from the BJ after 37 years, including a major chunk on the education and local business news beats. She will continue to do her food column for the BJ as she has for 6½ years after Beacon food writer Lisa Abraham left the newspaper to take another job in Columbus.

 

Ohio State graduate Katie’s farewell (as a BJ full-timer) column appeared in today’s BJ.

 

BJ management gave Katie a small aluminum plaque created by Akron artist Don Drumm. On one side is one of Drumm’s signature sun faces. On the other are the words “Thank you for telling the story of Akron.”

 

Tim Smith and Keith McKnight hired both Katie and Jim Carney, later her husband, in 1983.

 

Former BJ super investigative reporter Bill Hershey put their rental car on his credit card so that Jim and Katie could even get to their BJ interview.

Jim

 and Katie were married in 1987 in Richfield and honeymooned in New Orleans.

Katie recalled that wedding day in 1987:

“It was a beautiful fall day in Richfield. Jim and I decided it would be fun to dress up like a couple from the 50s (we were ahead of the curve when it came to themed events!), make (sons) Patrick, Will and Michael dress up like little maitre d’s, enjoy the evening with a bunch of friends in the upper room of the Richfield Tavern, share too many cocktail weenies with the group, cut a cake from the fab Budd's Bakery in Akron (decorated with Mickey and Minnie Mouse) and say ‘I do.’ Other stuff from Common Book of Prayer, thank u very much.

"Miss those who were there and are no longer with us. Blessed for those still supporting us and new friends we have made along the way. Blessed to share my life with Jimmy.”

Then they zipped off to their New Orleans honeymoon.

One of their first fancy dates during their 33 years of marriage was to the former French restaurant Maison Martel, also in the Merriman Valley. The beloved eatery closed years ago.

 

Patrick Carney, Will Carney and Michael Carney are Jim’s sons by Mary Stormer.

 

The Carney boys' paternal grandparents are Wheeling, West Virginia native William "Bill" James Carney, who died in 2010, and Madge Slate Carney, a former Army nurse who passed away in 1995.

Don Scott passes away

Cheryl Sheinin’s brother passes away

Don Scott, brother of BJ retiree Cheryl Scott Sheinin, passed away August 27. He lived in Hartville and was a Goodyear Tire and Rubber supervisor for 35 years.

His wife of 55 years is Judy M. Champlin Scott. The have a son, also named Don Scott, and a daughter, Patricia Scott.

Don’s parents were Louise and Everett Scott.

Cheryl was in the BJ Finance Department for 45 years.

Don’s obituary:

DONALD E. SCOTT, 85

Don was born in Akron, Ohio on December 30, 1934 to Louise and Everett Scott.

He passed away at Pebble Creek Nursing Creek on August 27, 2020 after a long illness.

Don was a longtime resident of Hartville, OH and loved just looking out over the farms and scenery.

Don was a 1952 graduate of Garfield High School and worked as a supervisor at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. for 35 years.

He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1954 to 1956. As a result of a tank injury, Don had continuous back problems, which never seemed bad enough to stop him from his love of golfing and bowling with his friends, and fishing. Now he can tee up with his special friends that have passed before him and enjoy a couple of good old time foursomes.

Don is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy M. {Champlin} Scott; son Donnie J. Scott; daughter Patricia "Trish" A. Scott; sister Cheryl (Neil) Scott-Sheinin. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Everett Scott.

We are going to miss your shining face, we think and wonder why? We may cry or smile, but at the end of the day we know we are one day closer to you...

Calling hours will be Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd. Akron, 44305. Military honors to take place at Don's final resting place, Greenlawn Memorial Park, Akron.

May your spirit soar in freedom, from the fears that gripped so tight.
May you find the peace you searched for as you wandered, lost, in the night.
May your tortured mind be clear and calm and your tender heart be warm.
May you have no need for strength now, may there never be another storm.
May the music of the angels be the sweet sounds that you hear,
As you're rocked in Heaven's cradle may you never shed another tear.
We'll wear your memory proudly, our husband, father and brother...our true friend,
May your love for you reach Heaven above until we meet again.

Services & Gatherings

Services & Gatherings

Visitation:

Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions
131 North Canton Rd
Akron, OH  44305
330-784-3334

Directions & Map

Graveside Service:

Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 12:45pm
Greenlawn Memorial Park, 2580 Romig Rd., Akron OH 44320

Bill Rothermel passes away

 

 

Bill Rothermel passes away

BJ maintenance department retiree William Raymond Rothermel passed away Sunday, September 6.

Roger Mezger indicates that Bill was at the BJ from the 1980s into 2000.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 21 from Noon to 1 pm at SILVA-HOSTETLER FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Wooster Road, West, Barberton. Interment to follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. 

Bill was the widower of Karen Anne Rothermel, who passed away in 2018.

Bill and Karen has four children and nine grandchildren.

He was hired in 1979 and still listed among 2014 employees, Roger Mezger research reveals.

Bill’s obituary:

BARBERTON---September 6, 2020 will forever mark the day the world lost a great one.  William (Bill) Raymond Rothermel, 82, of Barberton, Ohio left this earth to join his beloved wife of 58 years in heaven. 

He spoke longingly of this day, however, his passing is bittersweet for all who loved him still here on earth.  Love of family and friends was his legacy.  It was all important to this husband, father, son, brother, and grandfather.  He was the epitome of love and cherishing all that loved him.  He spent every waking minute of his life making it better for everyone else, doing it all so selflessly, with all the love, laughter and caring in the world.

Bill proudly served in the US Marine Corps, was a Plumber by trade and retired from the Akron Beacon Journal. 

If Bill had it his way, his obituary would have read “I had a good life, I loved my family, I lived and I died-- because obituaries are too damned expensive.”

His family is forever grateful to all the support they received from his friends and extended family, especially through the last few years. To Kortney, Kendall & Brooke: Grandpa holds a special place in his heart for all your loving care—you embody what he believed-family is everything and everlasting.

William was preceded in death by his loving wife, Karen, parents, Richard and Florence Rothermel and sister, Cecilia.  He will be forever missed by his adoring family, daughter Kara Welch (Dan); son, Rob (Penny); daughter Kristen Babbin, daughter Kyra Lawson (Eddie); nine grandchildren, Kaylee (Chris), Kassandra, Klarissa, Robin, Brooke, Kyle, Kevin, Kortney (Andrew) and Kendall; siblings Victoria Vrabcek (Joe), Richard (Joan), Ruth Stephens (William), Ronald (Joyce); nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 21, 2020 from Noon to 1 pm at SILVA-HOSTETLER FUNERAL HOME, 1199 Wooster Road, West, Barberton. Interment to follow at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Akron Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.  To share a memory or send a condolence, please visit www.silva-hostetler.com  (330) 825-8700

BJ Memory Wall

 

 

 

 

Charlene Nevada, Abe Zaidan health reports

Char & Abe health reports

Charlene Nevada had large polyp removed from her vocal chords “so I don’t sound like Donald Duck” and Abe Zaidan spent a week getting medical tests in a hospital.

Retired BJ reporter Charlene, married to retired BJ chief artist Art Krummel, posted:

Thanks everyone for the well wishes on my throat surgery this morning. The large polyp is gone from my vocal chords, so IF I could talk, I would not sound like Donald Duck (which has been the case for the last 7 weeks). However, my throat is still a bit chopped up from the procedure. Worse thing now is I can’t talk – well. not allowed -- for at least three days.”

Retired BJ political columnist Abe posted:

“OK. I’m back after a week-long in-hospital series of medical tests that ended reasonably well if you overlook the food and sleep-shattering 3 a.m. needles.”

Charlene retired in 2005 after 35 years at Ol’ Blue Walls before working for Burton D. Morgan Foundation, a philanthrophy that provided grants to colleges. Char and Art bought a 2^nd home in Garden City, South Carolina in 2010 which they later sold. That’s 13 miles from Pawleys Island, South Carolina, where the late BJ printer Dick Latshaw and wife Pat had a home, along with several other BJ retirees.

Abe has written at least five books, usually tied to politics, of course. He still does 2 political blog on the Internet, Grumpy Abe and Plunderbund.

University of Illinois graduate Abe lives in Fairlawn with wife Nancy.

Federal agency formally announces takeover of McClatchy pensions

Federal agency announces taking over McClatchy pensions.

The federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation announced today that it will take over McClatchy newspaper chain pension payments.

Some BJ retirees are covered by the McClatchy pensions, others by Black Press of Canada. Future retirees covered by the McClatchy pension also will be covered by the PBGC.

McClatchy filed bankruptcy papers in February.

McClatchy pension fund is 57% funded. PBGC will absorb the other $1 billion.

To read the full PBGC announcement, click on https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USPBGC/bulletins/29df743?fbclid=IwAR3z7WiFUMHWqUyQOqpspM1Oz0RmEQ6TBEfkeuknHTvnjwrv1bxbwFgiRsQ