DON HAWK'S WIDOW PASSES AWAY

 

Don Hawk’s widow passes away

Patricia Hawk, widow of BJ retiree Don Hawk, passed away August 15, 2023 in Akron at the age of 98!

Patricia retired at office manager of the BJ Credit Union.

Don was born in 1921 and passed away in 1984 about a week after his BJ retirement. He was in a BJ bowling league activity when he was stricken.

Don is buried in Glendale Cemetery in Akron. There’s a double grave marker with Don and Patricia’s names on it. They will be together there forever when Patricia is buried on Saturday, August 26.

When I applied for an opening on the BJ copy desk after I was fired for union activities at the union-hating Cox empire’s Dayton Daily News I was told that the position had been given to Don, who was in a different BJ department.

When I showed up for an interview anyway Ben Maidenburg decided that, since I was at the Dayton Daily News for 13 years, that it was the Cox chain’s newspaper’s management that was wrong and instructed managing editor Dan Warner to hire me. I wound up as assistant State Desk editor under the late Pat Englehart, sitting alongside assistant State Desk editor the late Harry Liggett.

Luckiest day in my 42-year newspaper carrier. I got $25 more than the top minimum at the BJ plus 10% in ever future pay raise given to Guild employees. And purchase of Knight stock at 85% of market value!

Patricia Hawk’s obituary:

Patricia Hawk

AKRON - Patricia L. Hawk, 98, died August 15, 2023. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio to Percy Ray and Ruth Isabelle (Galloway) Stout and lived in Akron, Ohio for most of her adult life. She was a graduate of Miami University of Ohio, and an active member of Christ United Methodist Church of Akron. She retired from the Akron Beacon Journal Credit Union where she was the office manager.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald N. Hawk, her children, Kenneth and Margaret Hawk, and her brother Richard Paul Stout.

She is survived by her sons, David (Linda) and Andrew Sr. (Lee Anne); 8 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and her brother, Don Stout.

Funeral service will take place SATURDAY, August 26, 2023 at 12:00 PM at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will take place at Glendale Cemetery, Akron.

To Share a Memory, Send a Condolence, or Light a Candle, please visit the Tribute Wall at www. billowfuneralhomes.com  (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)

A FITTING FAREWELL FOR FRIEND CHASSM!!!!

 

                  Kathy Fraze at Chassm's BJ retirement

        Kathy Fraze with shirt that Montague gave her

A love-in to remember for BJ’s Chassm!

 

A chasm is a deep divide, either literal or figurative, such as a giant chasm in an ice cap or the growing chasm between two friends who haven't spoken in a long time.

There was NO chasm in the August 17 tribute to BJ’s Chassm, the late Charles “Chassm” Montague, at R. Shea Brewing on 540 S. Main St.

Chuck Montague, Chassm, passed away May 7.

Former BJ reporter Jim Carney, when he wasn’t slashing his forehead into a sign hurriedly  crossing E. Exchange Street, read this tribute to Chassm from former BJ managing editor Doug Oplinger:

“Thinking about you guys and Chassm. Loved him.

“I can still hear his clear and distinct voice from across the newsroom after we posted a number of changes on the wall — some of which I was unsure about.

“Cindy Irby put the announcement up, he wandered over, studied it very quickly, then with his soccer referee voice said: ‘Hey Joanie, you won’t believe what they’re doing now!’

“Soccer ref he was (in all 50 states!): quick to see and call what just happened, but nonetheless afterward help and encourage his co-workers to do good work.

“Journalists are built to be a pain in the ass sometimes, but no matter where I was or my role in the newsroom, Chuck was always straightforward with his thoughts.”

Indeed! I found Chuck a fount of joy and laughter with thoughts flowing from his mouth to our ears!

Former BJ editor Kathy Fraze wore a shirt that Chuck gave her that told it all:

“Grammar police: To correct and to serve.”

We all should relish life with the vigor that Chassm did.

Former BJ pop culture critic Elaine Guregian nailed it when she labeled Chassm “standout guy and terrific colleague.”

Steuvenville native Chassm’s obituary noted:

“Chuck married Rebecca Orosz. Together, they raised two sons, Jonathan, and Joshua Montague, instilling a passion for sports and a deep appreciation for education.

“Chuck's warmth, wit and commitment to his craft left an indelible mark on his family, friends, and colleagues.”

He also was a fierce protector of his Newspaper Guild mates as BJ management learned when they were at the negotiating table with Chassm.

I’m sure Chassm is enjoying his Heavenly reward and parsing every word I typed and yelling: “You won’t believe what Olesky wrote now!”

Chassm had an aura and charisma rarer than a red diamond. There are only 30 of them in the world. The BJ had its red diamond in Charles Smith Montague!

SID SPRAGUE AND 2ND WIFE DOING OK IN THEIR 80s IN COLORADO

 

                                                   Sid Sprague today

CATCHING UP WITH

Retired BJ printer Sid Sprague

 

Retired printer Sid Sprague, who lives in Loveland, Colorado, is 88 years old but doing pretty well although treatments for his prostate problems keeps him “pretty tired.”

Sid has been married for 17 years to his second wife Nancy, who is from Canton. She was neighbor and friend to Sid’s first wife, Sandra. After Sandy passed away, Sid and Nancy married and moved in 2005 from Pawleys Island, South Carolina to Loveland.

They’ve been back to the Carolinas 3 times since.

Sid plans to visit his daughter in Columbus in September.

Nancy’s sister moved from the Carolinas to Virginia.

Sid’s granddaughter lives in Connecticut with her husband. 

In the 1990s Sid joined the late Dick Latshaw and the late Harold McElroy, also BJ retirees, in Pawleys Island. They all lived on the same street, which is only three blocks long. It was BJ south.

Harold and wife Linda joined Dick and wife Pat in Hawaii in 2011 for the Latshaws’ 50^th wedding anniversary.

When Sandra passed away and Sid and Nancy married they moved to Colorado after a hurricane dropped a tree on Sid’s house. Sid had had enough of hurricanes so they vamoosed out West.

 

Sid’s daughter, Suzanne Sprague Rutherford, lives in Costa Mesa, which is 37 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Sid’s son, Jeffrey Sprague, lives in Greenwich Township, on the southwest tip of Connecticut. Another son, Steve, passed away in Middleburg, Virginia at the age of 38 in 2010.

Sid and I used to run into each other often at Nicky’s Place on Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls, where we both lived at the time, long after we both were retired.  Nicky’s was a Greek restaurant in the first building next to the current Falls concert venue at Front and Broad.

 

Sid is among the 45 retired BJ printers who benefitted from the successful healthcare lawsuit that the late Dave White filed against the BJ that restored retirement day medical coverage.

 

I piggybacked on Dave’s lawsuit by filing on behalf of retired BJ Guild newsroom members but unfortunately only 5 of us qualified because of the different language in the retirement-day letters. The lawsuit has saved me about $80,000 in reimbursement and restored healthcare benefits. Thank you, Chandra Law Firm in Cleveland . . . and the late Dave White, who wrote a $2,500 check on a Florida beach to get the ball rolling. Dave's widow, BJ composing retiree Gina White, still lives in the Sarasota area. 

 

Sid hasn’t heard from his BJ friends in years, he said, other than me. If you would like to phone Sid and catch up on his life and your life his phone number is (970) 613-1914.

DAWIDZIAKS IN "TWILIGHT ZONE" WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16

 

Dawidziak & wife back in Twilight Zone Wednesday

Former BJ and PD movie critic Mark Dawidziak and wife Sara will take their Largely Literary Theater Company one-act show "Everything I Need to Know I Learned in The Twilight Zone" to the Westlake Porter Public Library at 7 pm Wednesday, August 16.

Sara’s script for the show is based on Mark’s 2017 book (with additional chapters in 2020) published by St. Martin’s Press.

Book signing will follow performance at the library. To register go to https://westlakelibrary.org/event/8609439

DOG LOVER BILL HERSHEY HAS BOOK COMING OUT ABOUT HIS PEACE CORPS DAYS

 

Doggone, another book by Bill Hershey!

 

Former BJ Washington bureau report Columbus bureau chief Bill Hershey has a new book, “Taking the Plunge into Ethiopia: Tales of a Peace Corps Volunteer,” which will be released in a few weeks.

Bill was with the Peace Corps in Ethiopia (1968-1970). He taught English to 7^th and 8^th grade students in a small town and tried to communicate in Amharic language.

3 of the articles in book were in the Sunday Beacon Magazine when Bill Bierman and Ann Sheldon Mezger were in charge of the magazine.

9 commentaries when Michael Douglas was editorial page editor also are in Bill’s book.

The book is available in paperback, ePDF and ePub at $24.95. If you preorder there’s a 30% discount using code PeaceCorps30. Discount code doesn’t work on mobile devices.

Taking the Plunge into Ethiopia: Tales of a Peace Corp Volunteer (Bliss Institute): Hershey, William: 9781629222660: Amazon.com: Books will take you to the site to purchase Bill’s book.

Bill is famed for his collection of canines. The latest is Izzy, a Cane Corso weighing 115 pounds.

OHIO OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTS 60% REQUIREMENT TO MAKE CONSTITUTION CHANGES

 

Ohio rejects 60% vote proposal, aimed at making it tougher to protect women’s rights

 

 

“The first principal of republicanism is  . . . to consider the will of the society enounced by the majority as sacred is the first of all lessons in importance.”

-      - Thomas Jefferson in 1817

The transparent attempt to thwart the will of the majority of the Republican Party in Ohio by requiring a 60% vote instead of a simple majority was demolished by, ironically, a 60% NO vote in the August election.

Republicans and their mega-wealthy donors wanted to make it far more difficult to pass the November change that will protect women’s abortion rights.

The 60% agree with Jefferson.

Florida voters approved the 60% barrier in 2006. Colorado voters raised the barrier to 55% in 2016. Arizona requires a 60% ballot vote to increase taxes.

House Majority Whip Jim Hoops, a Republican, led the fight to ram the 60% requirement through.

Spurred by vocal support of women Ohio voted not to let the tyranny of the minority rule.

Voters in Kansas, Michigan, Kentucky and Montana voted to protect reproductive rights. Ohio joined that movement.

A CNN survey shows that 64% of adults disapprove of the Supreme Court overturning Roe vs. Wade, endangering a woman’s right to decide what to do about her body and her health, and not politicians.

Ohio voted for Trump for President twice but against restricting women’s rights in the August election.

$64 million was spent on the election with opponents and supporters each forking up about half that amount.

Anti-abortion forces outside Ohio spent $20 million but failed to get the Yes vote they wanted. Republican billionaire Dick Uihlien of Illinois put up a major of the out-of-state funding.

FORMER BJ MANAGING EDITOR BOB GILES PASSES AWAY

 

Bob Giles passes away

 

Former BJ managing editor Bob Giles passed away in Traverse City, Michigan hospital where was battling metastic melanoma. He was 90 years old. He was at 44 E. Exchange Street from 1958-1975.

 

Megan Cooney is Bob’s daughter. After the BJ Bob made another stop before being at the Detroit News for 11 years. The News and BJ won a Pulitzer during Bob’s time at the two newspapers.

 

His wife, Nancy, predeceased Bob.

 

BOB HENRETTY'S SON, ALSO NAMED BOB HENRETTY, PASSES AWAY

Bob Henretty’s son passes away

Bob Henretty, son of the late BJ newsroom retiree with the same name, passed away in April in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The BJ Bob was on the City Desk under Bruce McIntyre with Dan Warner, who later moved to managing editor and hired me after Ben Maidenburg told him he had to do it despite me being fired at the Dayton Daily News for union activities.

Bob was replaced as Action Line leader by Craig Wilson, who had his quirks but did a superb job of training reporters on how to get information for BJ articles.

Son Bob Henretty’s obituary:

 

Robert (Bob) Slough Henretty died unexpectedly April 23, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina, while recovering from surgery. Born on June 6, 1965, in Akron, Ohio, Bob graduated from Copley High School, Class of 1983, and attended the University of Akron, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1988, Bob moved to the Charlotte area, where he earned an associate degree from Central Piedmont Community College. Previously the vice president of Carolina Safety Association, Bob was most recently employed by Fresh Market and Papa Johns.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Robert H. Henretty; grandparents Robert K. and Maybelle Slough; Robert H. and Edna Henretty; and aunt and uncle Susan and Perry Ruddick. He is survived by his mother Terry Henretty of Fairlawn, Ohio; brothers Sean (Jan) of Roebuck, South Carolina; Scott of Lima, Ohio; Thomas of New York, New York; and sister Suzi (Gary) of Los Angeles, California.

Bob’s friends held a party to remember him at Buona Vita Restaurant and Sports Bar in Charlotte, where he watched all his Ohio teams and had a special reserved seat for Browns games. Fr. Norm Douglas of St. Vincent Church will lead a graveside service for immediate family at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

PHYLLIS BOERNER, DAVE'S WIDOW, PASSES AWAY

 

                                    Phyllis Boerner

             Dave Boerner with Kathy Moore

Phyllis Boerner, Dave’s widow, passes away

 

Phyllis Boerner, widow of former BJ newsroom editor Dave Boerner, passed away June 20.

They had three children – Eric Trent and Troy.

Dave passed away in 2013. He frequently attended the month BJ retirees gatherings at Papa Joe’s Restaurant off Portage Trail in the Merriman Valley.

Dave retired from the BJ in 2001 after a 40-year newspaper career at 5 newspapers in Ohio and Florida.

Phyllis’ obituary:

Phyllis Boerner, 84, of Cuyahoga Falls, OH passed away on June 20, 2023, after a short illness.

Born in Racine, WI, Phyllis spent most of her childhood in Bedford, OH until she attended The Ohio State University, where she met her husband David. Together they raised three boys, Eric, Trent (Lisa), and Troy. She had one grandchild, Averie, who was her favorite little girl in the world. Phyllis had a long and fruitful career, most recently in community relations positions at Summit Metro Parks and United Disability Services in Akron, OH. She was active in the civic community and was a mentor to many.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to United Disability Services, in her honor.

The family welcomes friends to join them for a celebration of Phyllis' life, to be held at Sarah's Vineyard, 1204 W Steels Corners Road in Cuyahoga Falls on Friday, August 11th, from noon until 2:00 pm.

 

LINDA McELROY, HAROLD'S WIDOW, PASSES AWAY

 

                 Linda and Harold McElroy

Linda McElroy passes away

 

BJ Accounting retiree Linda Spoon McElroy, who married BJ Finance retiree Harold McElroy of Finance (both worked at BJ), passed away June 25.

 

The McElroys moved to Pawley’s Island, South Carolina.

 

Cheryl Sheinin, who was was at the BJ 45 years, informed me of Linda’s passing. Husband Neil Sheinin spent 42 years at the BJ, where Cheryl and Neil first met. They were married in 1957.

 

Debbie Fox and Janet Hall were best friends of  the McElroys at the BJ.

 Debbie posted to me:

“I was blessed to have her as a boss, she dedicated her life to the Beacon and her family. She was certainly one of a kind, I will forever remember our trip to Denver to watch the Browns in an AFC championship game. She loved the Browns.”

 

After Harold passed away in 2011, Linda visited Akron a year or so later and was greeted at the Golden Corral on South Arlington Street by her Circulation friends

Bob Craiglow and wife Pat, Mike Jewell, Susan Lindeman, Janet Hall, Cheryl Sheinin, Martha (Cookie) Lipford, Noreen Dimmerling, Mickey Dimeff and Carol Eubank.

Linda lived a block away from the late BJ printer Dick Latshaw and wife Pat in Pawley’s Island, where retired BJ printer Sid Sprague lived before moving to Loveland, Colorado with his second wife.

In 2018 Linda drove Pat Latshaw, Dick Latshaw’s widow, from Pawleys Island to a Celebration of Life service for Dick at the Allenside Athletic Club on Manchester Road in Akron. Former BJ printer Mike Kerchan also attended.

 

Linda’s stepchildren and Harold’s daughter are Colleen Sweazy, Maureen Anderson. There's also Michele, Jamie and John Scott. There are 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

 

Michelle wrote a tribute to her mom that was so perfect that I’m repeating it here verbatim:

 

My Mom passed away after a short battle with a third occurrence of cancer. She was diagnosed about two months ago and her doctor was pretty optimistic that they had a good treatment plan in place, but it turned out to be more widespread than initially thought.

She started feeling bad a little over 2 weeks ago and declined fairly quickly. She decided to transition to comfort care after she was told she wouldn’t be able to come back from it and have any quality of life, which was so important to her.

She told me she didn’t want to go but she knew it was her time. She died a little under 36 hours later.

She was a great Mom, daughter, sister, wife to our stepdad Harold, aunt, great-aunt and cousin, and friend to many. But where she really excelled was as a grandmother and great-grandmother. It was the biggest joy of her life and she loved them all so much.

When she made her decision to stop fighting the cancer, she most regretted that she wouldn’t get to see the littlest ones again.

I miss her terribly but I have felt her at my back, pushing me to get through handling many of her affairs and her family knows her spirit will always be with us.

 

Akron native Harold’s obituary:

Harold Ray McElroy
Pawleys Island
Harold Ray McElroy, 74, beloved husband of Linda, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 5, 2011 at Waccamaw Community Hospital.
Born in Akron, Ohio, he was the son of the late Charles William and Elva McElroy. His great-granddaughter, Reagan Lacole Edwards, also preceded him in death. Harold retired from the Akron Beacon Journal after forty two years of service. He was the treasurer of the F.O.P.A. #6 for several years.
Surviving are his wife, Linda; children, Colleen Sweazy (Denny), Maureen Anderson, Michele, Jamie and John Scott; brother, Jim (Debby) of Burke, Va.; nephew, Jeff; ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be held 3 p.m. Monday, September 12, 2011 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Litchfield-Pawleys Chapel with visitation one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers or donation, the family requests that a tree be planted in Harold's memory.
Sign a guest book at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.
Goldfinch Funeral Home, Litchfield-Pawleys Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

TIM SMITH HOME AFTER HOSPITAL & REHAB OVER EATING PROBLEM

 

Tim Smith home after eating problem

Former Beacon Journal managing editor and Kent State professor Tim Smith spent several weeks in hospital and rehab because a “corkscrew” esophagus blocked his food.

Tim joined Kent State in 1986 after 19 years at the BJ. His other media stops were the Columbus Dispatch, the Painesville Telegraph and United Press International.

Tim has a bachelor’s degree and master’s in journalism from Ohio State and a law degree from the University of Akron. In 1991, became a law clerk for now-retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Craig Wright. In June 1991, he was named acting director of the School, a post he held until June 1994, when he returned to the faculty and resumed his service as adviser to the Daily Kent Stater.

I’ll let former BJ reporter Charlene Nevada, who reported Tim’s situation, tell the story in more detail:

 

Good news. Tim Smith - former Beacon Journal honcho, Kent State journalism professor and lawyer — is back home after several weeks in hospitals and rehab. 

Long story short, Tim started having problems eating several months ago. Actually, he says he pretty much stopped eating at all. He lost a lot of weight, which caused his blood pressure to drop, and he nearly had a stroke. That’s what put him in the hospital originally. 

Walking became difficult because he was so weak, so then he needed rehab. Doctors finally figured out Tim has what they described as a “corkscrew” esophagus, which kind of blocks food.

Surgery to repair it is set for late July at the Cleveland Clinic (in Cleveland). In the meantime, Tim is back at his lake home and on his feet with the help of a walker.

His address is 4770 Sundown Trail in Ravenna, 44266. His cell phone is 330-283-4676 and he said he would welcome calls.

26th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY FOR KERRY CLAWSON

 

   Kerry Clawson in BJ's Main Street newsroom

26^th wedding anniversary for Kerry Clawson

BJ arts writer and critic Kerry Coughlin Clawson and Steve Clawson celebrated their 26^th wedding anniversary.

Kerry began at the BJ in 1991. She also was the BJ’s Mad Shopper, succeeding Mary Ethridge in that position in 2006, and retail business writer.

She has won Cleveland Press Club awards for her writing at the BJ.

DAVE ADAMS TO MARRY NORTHEAST OHIO WOMAN

 

  Dave Adams, future wife Alexis Lyn Calatrello

Dave Adams to wed Northeast Ohio woman 

David Adams, a Beacon Journal reporter from 1986 until 2004, will marry Alexis Lyn Calatrello in less than a week.

 

Dave posted:

“Happy birthday to the coolest, most beautifucl, most fun, big-hearted woman any guy could ask for! I cannot wait to get married to you and spend the rest of my years with you.”

 

Dave became Ernst & Young’s Global Risk Advisory Services director at lives in Bay Village. He been in PR and accounting, too.

Alexis previously lived in Shaker Heights and Cleveland.

Dave remembers fondly his BJ days with Pat Englehart, State Desk chief when the late Harry Liggett and I were Nobil-smoking Pat’s 2 assistant editors.

And Bill O’Connor, Michelle LeComte, Glenn Proctor, Kathy Fraze, Larry Pantages and Bob Paynter. Quite a collection of talent at 44 E. Exchange Street.

Melanie Payne's 'Color Blind" play world premiere June 23 in Detroit

 

       Melanie Payne with father 

       Melanie Payne reunion with Gloria Irwin 

      Melanie Payne doing cat walk to celebrate cancer cure

Melanie Payne’s play has world premiere June 23

 

Playwright Melanie Payne’s “Color Blind” play will have its world premiere at 8 p.m. Friday, June 23 in Detroit’s Boll Family Theater. It’s part of the 3^rd annual Obsidian Festival.

 

Melanie was a 1996-2000 BJ reporter. Her career also includes the Fort Myers, Florida News-Press and ABC’s Tampa Bay WTFS-TV.

 

Melanie began her life in Wickliffe, Ohio and studied at Wellesley College, a women’s liberal art college in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

 

She survived a bout with cancer.

 

PHIL TREXLER NAMED MARSHALL PROJECT'S CLEVELAND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

 

Trexler gets high post in Cleveland’s Marshall Project

Phil Trexler, who spent 16 years covering crime for the BJ, has been named editor-in-chief for The Marshall Project – Cleveland.

The Marshall Project is a Pulitzer-winning non-profit media organization.

After the BJ, Trexler spent 8 years with WKYC-TV in Cleveland.