BOB BERDIS OF BJ PRESSROOM PASSES AWAY

 

Bob Berdis, who once worked the BJ printing presses, passed away Tuesday, November 9.

He was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, the 7^th of 14 children of Josephy and Mary Janosik Berdis.

Bob was in the Pennsylvania National Guard during the Vietnam War. He was at the BJ for 33 years and came there from the Erie Times. He was union president and secretary at the BJ.

He was honorested in 2021 as the #1 fan of St. Vincent-St. Mary’s.

Some BJ folks might also remember Bob as one of the standout bowlers in the Akron Allied Printcraft League.

Bob’s wife, Sylvia, predeceased him as did 9 of Bob’s siblings.

He lived in Norton and the funeral services will be in Doylestown.

Bob’s obituary:

Robert J. Berdis Sr.

July 10, 1942 ~ November 9, 2021 (age 79)

NORTON – Robert J. Berdis, Sr., age 79, went home to be with the Lord on November 9, 2021 after a long courageous battle with colon cancer. 

Bob was born on July 10, 1942 in Erie, PA to the late Joseph and Mary (Janosik) Berdis as the 7th son of 14 children.  He attended Holy Family Grade School, Cathedral Prep HS, and proudly served in the PA Army National Guard during the Vietnam War.  He retired from the Akron Beacon Journal after 33 years of service and was previously with the Erie Times.  A devout Catholic, Bob was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and was also attending St. Bernards Catholic Church in Akron and leading rosary services daily.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 547, at St. Bernards and was also a 4th Degree Knight.  Bob was union president/secretary for the Akron Beacon Journal for multiple years and secretary/treasurer of the Akron Print Craft Bowling League.  Besides his faith and family, his other life passion was sports.  He was an avid supporter of St. Vincent St. Mary’s, where he was honored as their #1 fan on Oct. 1, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Notre Dame University.  He will be remembered by many for his famous “Defense Irish” chant from the stands!

Aside from his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia J.; siblings, Rev. Donald Berdis, Sister Eileen Berdis, OSF, Sister Audrey Berdis, OSB, Eleanor Tarasovitch, Mildred Merski, Joseph Berdis, Frank Berdis, Thomas Berdis, and James Berdis. Bob is survived by his children, Cheryl (Al) Burrows, Linda (Gary) Tucci, Patie (Steve) Beaty, Gordon (Carrie) Pietrowski, Robert Berdis Jr., Lisa (Chris) Forand, Philip (Denise) Berdis, Becky (Gene) Brown; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lawrence Berdis, Sister Kevin Berdis, OSF, Ann (Paul) Krauza, Jean (Frank) Abate; numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Traditions Hospice for all their wonderful care, love, and support.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 15, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 161 W. Clinton St., Doylestown, OH 44230. Fr. Peter Morris, Celebrant.  Burial to take place in the church cemetery.  Friends may call Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Zak-Thacker & Monbarren Funeral Home, 132 N. Portage St., Doylestown. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School or St. Vincent St. Mary's scholarship fund. Online obituary and guest registry are available at www.zakmonbarrenfh.com

(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211) 

 

VISITATION

Sunday
November 14, 2021
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Zak-Thacker & Monbarren Funeral Home
132 N. Portage St.
Doylestown, OH 44230

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Monday
November 15, 2021
11:00 AM
Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church
161 W. Clinton St.
Doylestown, OH 44230

SANDY BEE LYNN VOTED ONTO DOYLESTOWN CHARTER COMMISSION

 

Former BJ librarian Sandy Bee Lynn was elected to the Doylestown Charter Commission on Tuesday.

She finished 10^th. The top 15 will be on the Charter Commission that will draft a charter form of government over the next year and submit it to voters for approval. There were 18 candidates.

“Kinda cool seeing your name on the ballot,” Sandy posted. “Yea!”

Sandy plays viola in Cuyahoga Falls’ New Horizons Band. She has been married for 32 years to Glenn Lynn. They met at a summer meeting of a ski club that traveled to Port Clinton. Glenn once played saxaphone in the New Horizons Band, directed by Jim Adkins.

After the BJ, Sandy worked at Orrville and Wadsworth public libraries.

Henry, who parachuted into France on D-Day,  and Arline Mitchell Fuller had three children: Sandy Louise, Ron and Timothy. Ron lives in Barberton with wife Mary Clark Fuller. Tim lives in Akron.

AKRON NATIVE FRANK QUINE, MARYLAND JOURNALISM SCHOOL LEGEND, PASSES AWAY

 

Francis E. “Frank”  Quine of Reston, Virginia, who spent his childhood in Akron and had a major role in the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism for decades, passed away Saturday, October 30.

Former Knight Foundation vice president Paula Lynne Ellis posted the sad news. Paula is friends with Scott Bosley, the best managing editor (at the Beacon Journal) during my 43-year newspaper career; Bill Hershey, a fearless reporter for the Bj during my time there; and Mizell Stewart III, former BJ managing editor.

Frank Quine was at the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism for 24 years after 18 years with the American Press Institute.

After coming to Merrill in 1988, he served as the college’s development director and assistant dean as well as vice president of the American Journalism Review, which ceased publication in 2015. He retired in 2010, but came out of retirement for six months in 2013 at the request of Dean Lucy Dalglish. During that time, he returned to his previous roles of assistant dean and chief development officer on an interim basis while the search for a new development officer took place.

Quine played a key role in bringing the college a grant for an endowed Knight Chair in 1994 and contributed to securing the gift from Philip Merrill that led to the naming of the college in 2001. In his final four years before his initial retirement, he helped coordinate the fundraising, design, construction and 2010 opening of the $30 million John S. and James L. Knight Hall, the new home of the college.

Along with his wife, Mary Ellen Doran-Quine, he also sponsored a Merrill scholarship for undergraduate students in need and hosted international Humphrey fellows, a Fulbright exchange program funded by the U.S. State Department. 

Frank’s father, Francis Quine played football for St. Vincent in 1928. The team was only 5-4 but defeated Cathedral Latin, National Catholic High School champs the previous year, 25-12.

Frank’s mother was Helen Conway Quine, like his father a St. Vincent graduate. She passed away in 2004 at the age of 92 (a month shy of 93), her husband Francis in 1991. Helen was living in Cuyahoga Falls.

Francis and Helen were married after Francis graduated from Holy Cross College in Worchester, Massachusetts. Helen loved their trailer camping trips throughout the Midwest and Florida.

Frank’s survivors include Dr. Mary Ellen Doran-Quine, his wife of 43 years; two children from his first marriage to Beverly Champion, Laura Heinle (Thomas) of Silver Spring, Maryland and Linda Barry (Chase) of Jacksonville, Florida; a stepson, Sean Kelleher of Winchester, Virginia; two grandsons, William and Theo Heinle of Silver Spring; and stepgrandson Ethan Barry of Jacksonville; two brothers, Thomas and John Quine, and two sisters Anne Quine and Ellen Hill, all of Ohio.

He was predeceased by son Franklin Quine, stepson Paul Kelleher and brother William Quine.

Frank had 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

 

Plans for a celebration of life are pending.

 

William J. (Bill) Quine, a truck equipment sales manager and account executive for major Northern Ohio truck distributors living in Tallmadge who passed away in 2021, was nationally recognized in Corvette club racing. Bill and wife Margaret Quine for years competed for national racing points from the National Council of Corvette Clubs. Bill was elected president of Akron's Tiretown Corvette Club eight times.

Bill was a past president of the Akron Traffic Club and the Akron chapter of Delta Nu Alpha, the national transportation fraternity, and served on the board of directors of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce.

A graduate of St. Joseph Grade School in Cuyahoga Falls, Bill attended Hoban High School and graduated from Poland (Ohio) High.

When Bill passed away his son, Aaron Quine, was living in Medina with wife Angie.

BETH HERTZ ELECTED TO COPLEY-FAIRLAWN SCHOOL BOARD

 

Beth Thomas Hertz, former BJ page layout and design editor, was elected to the Copley-Fairlawn Board of Education. She finished 2^nd in the race for the 3 seats. Jim Borchik and Paula Lynn were re-elected.

Beth was at the BJ in 1991-1995, then free-lance writer and managing editor of the Cleveland Clinic’s Communications Department at CC’s Akron General Hospital.

Her husband, David Hertz, was at the BJ for 15 years as night Metro editor, deputy business editor, region editor, business editor, metro editor, enterprise editor and then business editor again after 5 years at another Knight-Ridder newspaper in Boca Raton, Florida. He became media relations vice president for Cleveland’s Dix & Eaton and, in 2018, became Cleveland Jewish Publication Company board chairman.

Cleveland Jewish News, a weekly which morphed into Cleveland Jewish Publication Company, was formed in 1964, succeeding the Jewish Independence, founded in 1906, and the Jewish Review & Observer, whose history began with the Hebrew Observer, founded in 1889.

 

After being located in Shaker Heights and University Heights, Cleveland Jewish Publication moved to its current location in Beachwood.

Beth and David were involved in the 1994 BJ Pulitzer for its Question of Color series.

Beth Angela Thomas and David Ralph Hertz were married on Saturday, October 23, 1993 in the Akron Civic Theater before a large BJ contingent. Beth was a “cute redhead copy editor,” Dave recalls, when they met at the BJ and began their office romance and their 28-year (so far) marriage.

They have two children, Alyssa Sandra Hertz and Joshua Daniel Hertz, who attended Copley-Fairlawn schools.

And they keep hospitals in business, Dave at Akron General for hip replacement and Beth for rotator cuff surgery.

AIMEE GAVE HER LIFE ... LITERALLY ... SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE

 

Aimee Jo O’Connor died at the age of 54 because she chose to work with people afflicted with COVID.

 

Keeping them alive resulted in her death.

 

That makes her a hero in my book as much as a soldier killed in action defending America.

 

There was a tsunami of support for Aimee’s father, Bill O’Connor, former columnist and feature writer for the BJ.

 

Bill was so impressed and appreciative that he wanted me to post his thank-you on the blog. He tried mailing TWO    Aimee memorial cards (see the photo montage above) but the Postal Service returned Bill’s first mailing to me because Bill sent it to 271 instead of the correct 217 N Thomas Road in Tallmadge.

 

So, at my suggestion, he drove to my Tallmadge condo and handed me the Aimee memorial card. Later, after a delightful 2-hour visit with Bill when we exchanged memories of the joys of working at the BJ, I went to my mailbox and found the 2nd Aimee card Bill mailed to me that had the correct 217 Thomas Road address.

 

When Aimee was a child, a teacher asked students to select a poem that reflected what they wanted to do in life. She chose these lines from Emily Dickenson:

 

 If I can stop one heart from breaking,

 I shall not live in vain;

 If I can ease one life from aching,

 Or cool one pain,

 Or help one fainting robin

 Unto his nest again,

 I shall not live in vain.

 

Well, Aimee did not live in vain. There are with COVID who owe her their lives because they still are alive.

 

Aimee was born in Havre, Montana to Bill and wife Jacquelyne Tarr O’Connor.  The family moved to Ohio where Bill wound up one of many exceptional writers at the BJ.

Aimee got into a business but she wanted something else. So she became a nurse.

 

Bill and his Swiss miss second wife Elsbeth (since 2002) live in Bath Township.

They both have four adult children from previous marriages.

Bill and Elsa took a trip recently to Switzerland to visit Elsa’s friends and places of her early life.

When Bill visited me to do the post office’s job for it we had long, great conversation about the joy it was to work at the BJ, with JSK, Fran Murphey, Pat Englehart and a Hall of Fame newsroom.

Once in love with Aimee, as Bill is, always in love with Aimee. And, as Bill and I are, always in love with our years at the BJ.

Aimee is, indeed, as Bill has said and written, a hero who did not die in vain. Just ask the families of COVID patients who still are alive today because of her.

JIMMY RAY BYE PASSES AWAY. PHOTOJOURNALIST CAREER INCLUDED BJ

 

Former BJ photojournalist Jimmy Ray Bye passes away

I’m about 3 weeks late finding out about it but former BJ creative technical services manager (2003-2006) Jimmy Ray Bye passed away in Medina.

Jimmy was born a Hoosier in New Alabany, Indiana, where he was in the New Albany High Class of 1970 and was a 1974 Indiana University Southeast graduate in 1974.

His photography career began clicking at the Elizabethtown, Kentucky News-Enterprise before he found his way to 44 E. Exchange Street and the BJ.

Jimmy Ray’s obituary:

Jimmy Ray Bye, age 69, of Medina, Ohio, formerly of Evansville, Indiana, passed away after a battle with bile duct cancer on Monday, October 4, 2021, at Medina Hospital in Medina.

He was born February 13, 1952, in New Albany, Indiana, to Clarence and Jane (Longest) Bye; and married Jo Burgess on January 5, 1974, in New Albany. Jim graduated from New Albany High School in 1970 and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University Southeast in 1974. He began his award winning career as a photojournalist in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, at the News-Enterprise where he worked from 1974-1976. Jim went on to serve as a staff photographer and picture editor at the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia, from 1976-1986. He moved on to the Evansville Courier & Press, where he held various titles, including Director of Electronic Prepress, from 1986-2003. He then worked at the Akron Beacon Journal as Creative Technical Services Manager from 2003-2006. He finished his career as the Photojournalism Lab Manager and Mountain Workshop Coordinator at Western Kentucky University from 2008-2017. Jim retired to Medina, Ohio, to live with his daughter, Noelle, in 2017.

He is survived by his daughter, Noelle Bye of Medina, OH; sister, Jane Wilson of Burley, ID; and brother, Jerry (Sarah) Bye of Georgetown, TX. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Bye, in 2004; his parents; and brother-in-law, Andy Wilson.

The family will hold private funeral services at the Nass & Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg, Indiana. Burial will follow at Fairmount Cemetery in Huntingburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Condolences may be shared online at www.nassandson.com

MARK DAWIDZIAK AND WIFE SARA CAN'T GET ACTING BUGS OUT OF THEIR BODIES

 The Largely Literary Theater Company always tries to have a monstrously good time, but that's particularly true with "Monsters Are Universal: Silver Screams in Hollywood's Golden Age," our lighthearted show that uses sketches, film history and song to trace the origins of horror movies. Sara and I will be ready to bid you welcome in the Main Library Auditorium of the Akron-Summit County Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. Admission is free but to register, follow this link:

https://services.akronlibrary.org/event/5521180...

'MIRACLE' BOOK CHAT BY STU & DEB CREATED A BJ REUNION IN AKRON

 

Former BJ folks Stuart Warner and wife Debbie Van Tassel Warner gave a talk about "The Daily Miracle," the book they edited about what went on at 44 E. Exchange Street.

It was an excuse for another BJ reunion. 

ST. V-ST. M HONORS FORMER BJ PRESSROOM WORKER BOB BERDIS

 

St. Vincent-St. Mary will honor long-time former BJ pressroom worker Bob Berdis on Friday, October 1 as their Fighting Irish Superfan.

Ken Krause, a BJ retiree, tipped me off with this:

It will be Bob Berdis Night at Green Street Stadium Friday, October 1, when St. Vincent-St. Mary High School honors their “Fighting Irish Superfan,” a former longtime Beacon Journal press room worker. Though not a graduate of St. Vincent, St. Mary, or St. V-M (where his son was in the Class of 1989), Bob has been a longtime St. V-M Athletic Booster Club member and a constant presence at Irish sporting events, home or away. He will be honored before the St. V-M football game against Youngstown Ursuline.

Some BJ folks might also remember Bob as one of the standout bowlers in the Akron Allied Printcraft League.

Bob’s wife, Syvia Jean Berdis, passed away in 2012 at the age of 75. They lived in Norton and the funeral service was held in Doylestown.

Bob was extremely active St. V-M Athletic Booster Club member, as the Superfan honor indicates.

PENNY MORETZ OF ACCOUNTING, PRODUCTION, MAILROOM PASSES AWAY

 

Penny L. Moretz, who retired in 2002 after 35 years at the BJ, passed away.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Penny at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 18 at the Suffield United Church of Christ, 1115 State Route 43, Suffield, in the outdoor pavilion.

Luncheon will be served immediately following in the fellowship hall. In the event of inclement weather, services will move to the sanctuary.

Social distance and masks will be required.

 

Penny began at 44 E. Exchange Street in accounting in 1967, then became Production secretary to Tony Agnello before joining the BJ mailroom.

DOYLE BAIRD PASSES AWAY

Doyle Baird, a BJ truck driver for 30 years, a  superb boxer who went toe-to-toe with four world champions, and an outstanding Teamsters member, passed away Thursday, September 2.

The native of Elk Valley, Tennessee was inducted into the Summit County Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.

He fought for three world titles.

He was the widower of Janet Baird. Their children are Andrea Stem, Doyle, Jr., Derek, Daryl and Billy.

There’s fascinating video, “Grit & Determination – The Doyle Baird Story,” that runs nearly a half-hour. To see it, go to  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=BhXqoRmrFGc&app=desktop

 

Doyle’s obituary:

 

 

Doyle Baird

April 18, 1938 ~ September 2, 2021 (age 83)

 

Doyle Baird, 83, passed away September 2, 2021 surrounded by his family and friends. He was born April 18, 1938 in Elk Valley, Tennessee to the late Jennings and Evelyn Baird.  Doyle lived his younger life in Akron and resided in Portage Lakes for over 52 years.

 

 

Doyle was legendary in the Akron area for his professional boxing career and was inducted into the Summit County Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.  He fought for three world titles, his most memorable bout at the Akron Rubber Bowl in October of 1968 when he fought Middle Weight Champion Nino Benvenuti for a non-title bout. As the story goes, Doyle won the fight, however the fight was declared a draw.  Doyle’s love and passion for the sport of boxing led him to a training career of over 40 plus years where he trained several professional boxers including heavy weight champion Michael Dokes. Doyle also trained countless numbers of amateur fighters in the Akron area.  He not only taught them the grit and determination it takes to be a boxer, he mentored them and taught them how to be honorable young men and to fight when life gets tough, how to overcome obstacles by believing in themselves.  His motto was always finish what you start and to get up if you get knocked down.  Life is a journey, it’s what you make of it, only you determine your destiny.

 

Doyle retired from the Akron Beacon Journal after 30 years of service being a Teamster truck driver and union steward. He had a heart of gold always humble and kind, loved life, always laughing, joking, or telling a story. Doyle was always eager to go above and beyond to help someone in need.

 

Doyle was a member of Teamsters Local 473, Deuces Wild; Turkeyfoot Sportsman Club and Adoniram Joppa. He loved to watch his children and grandchildren play sports, never missing the opportunity to cheer on and support his family.  He enjoyed weekends watching The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns.  He loved riding his Harley with his boys and playing poker.

 

Besides his parents, Doyle was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Janet and sister, Velda Lou Armstrong.  He is survived by his daughter, Andrea (Jeff) Stem; sons, Doyle (Jenna); Derek (Jessica) and Daryl (Amy) and Billy (Patty) Baird; grandchildren, Chloe, Isabella, Kassie, Danica, Lauren, Gavin and Nathan; great grandson, Mavrick; sister, Peggy Snyder; sister-in-law, Sandra Gray; nephew, Jon Gray; as well as many other loving family and friends.

 

Doyle’s constant presence, sound advice and unwavering love will always be remembered and cherished for a lifetime.  He will be deeply missed by his family and so many wonderful friends. 

 

Funeral service will be held at 10 A.M. on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Schermesser Funeral Home, 600 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, Ohio 44319 with Pastor Bobby Dugger officiating.  Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 1 to 3 P.M. and 5 to 8 P.M. at the funeral home.  Entombment will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Doyle’s name to Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 70 W. Streetsboro Street, STE 201, Hudson, Ohio 44236.  To leave a special message online for the family, visit our website at www.schermesserfh.com.

 

SCHERMESSER
(330) 899-9107
www.schermesserfh.com 

Memorial Contributions:

Alzheimer’s Association
Greater East Ohio Area Chapter
70 W. Streetsboro Street, STE 201 

Hudson, Ohio 44236 

DAVE ALLBAUGH'S WIDOW PASSES AWAY AT AGE OF 96

 

Rose Allbaugh, widow of super reporter Dave Allbaugh of Dayton Daily News fame, passed away in North Carolina at the age of 96.

 

Rose and Dave’s sons are David B. Allbaugh of Arlington, Virginia and Mark G Allbaugh of Brevard, North Carolina. They had two grandchildren, Alex and Lea Rose Allbaugh.

 

Bill Hershey, a former Columbus and Washington bureau regular for the BJ, gave me the sad news.

 

Bill added:

 

“She had been living in assisted living in North Carolina near their son Mark and his family for the last five months, Mark told me. Until then she had been living independently. She was a force of nature, always on the move.

Mark’s wife Florence posted on Facebook about Rose, our daughter said.

Mark said they plan to have a gathering on Sept.18 at Dave and Rose’s house in Dayton.
Marcia and I plan to go.
They also have a son David who lives in Washington D.C. area.”

 

If you want to send condolences to Mark his email address is ifg24@att.net

 

Dave was my most loyal friend when the Dayton Daily News fired me for union actitivities. Everyone else hid under their desk to avoid the wrath of union-hating Cox Newspapers, which owned the DDN.

 

I didn’t know till I looked up Dave’s obituary in connection with this article that he was born Roy David Allbaugh. Fitting. He was King David to me, too.