Eric Sandstrom retires

Former BJ reporter Eric Sandstrom is retiring from the Colorado Mesa University faculty in Grand Junction, Colorado, where is a mass media professor.

Eric is the advisor for the CMU student newspaper, the Criterion.

He has applied for still another career, as a park ranger in Rocky Mountains National Park.

He has been published in the New York Times, Denver Post, High Country News, and the Daily Sentinel. He was named Colorado Journalism Educator of the Year (2014) by the Society of Professional Journalists Colorado).

He worked for newspapers in Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska as a reporter, editor, photographer, columnist and sportswriter.

He has run 38 marathons, and several ultramarathons, including a 100-mile race. And searched for dinosaur fossils in Dinosaur Monument, which straddles Utah and Colorado on the northern edge of the Colorado Plateau.

Eric also has done a bit of elk hunting.

 

Eric worked at the Beacon Journal from 1986-1998. He once was managing editor / marketing & communications at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland.

His wife, Monica, once taught math at Roswell Kent Middle School in Akron.

When I asked Eric for more details about his life after Ol’ Blue Walls, he responded:

John,

In answer to your question, I retired in December at Colorado Mesa University after 10 years as  journalism prof. In addition to teaching at CMU, I was faculty advisor for the student newspaper, which is like herding cats that had too much to drink. In 2014, the Society of Professional Journalists honored me as Colorado's Journalism Educator of the Year. It was very humbling.

 

For several summers out here, I worked as a park ranger at Colorado National Monument, giving talks about wildlife, and taking visitors on hikes in the high desert canyons.

 

Prior to moving out here to Grand Junction, Colo., I worked at University Hospitals in Cleveland for 10 years, editing physician publications, pitching stories to the news media, and performing brain surgery whenever our neurosurgeons called in sick.

 

My wife, Monica, was a math teacher in Akron during my years (1984-1998) as a reporter for the ABJ. She retired, moved out here to Colorado (where our kids Angela and Nick also live) and manages a small furniture store. She loves her work, and also is an avid skier and hiker. 

 

With 20 years in newspapers (first Nebraska, then Illinois, finally Akron), I've never quite managed to get ink out of my blood. Today,  the newspaper here in Grand Junction published my op-ed about some of the generous folks who live and work here.

 

I volunteer for National Sports Center for the Disabled as a ski instructor in winter, and as a misguided cowboy in summer for kids who want to ride horses. Last summer, I worked as a volunteer in Rocky Mountain National Park, helping visitors on the back country trails and trying to keep them safe.

 

I applied for a job as a park ranger at Rocky, and am hopeful they will hire me to work in the back country, where mountain lions and moose reside but two-legged wildlife are the most unpredictable species.

 

Thanks,

 

Eric Sandstrom



Steve Berta & colleagues during his 1994 BJ Pulitzer days

Berta still has his ‘A’ game

 

Steve Berta, who was on the BJ team that won the 1994 Pulitzer for its “A Question of Color” series on race relations, is still doing quality investigative reporting.

 

He headed the team that detailed Olympics gymnastic pedophile team doctor Larry Nassar, who has been sent to prison until he dies.

 

Steve was business editor when he left the BJ in 1994 to become assistant managing editor/business for the Indianapolis Star, which detailed years of Dr. Nassar’s sexual abuse of Olympic hopeful girls.

 

More than 150 charged Dr. Nassar with his sick conduct.

 

 

You can congratulate Steve by phoning (317) 444-6280 at the Indianapolis Star.

 

 

Steve celebrated the BJ Pulitzer at Larry’s Bar at the same table with Bruce Winges, Michelle LeCompte, Joette Riley, Debby Stock Kiefer, Jim Kavanagh, Fred Gerlich, Phil Glende, David and Beth Hertz, Kerry Clawson and Athena Forrest.

The impressive list of Pulitzers for the BJ:

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

1968: Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for John S. Knight, for a selection of his Editor’s Notebook weekly columns, largely opposing the Vietnam War and defending the public’s right to protest.

1971: Pulitzer Prize for General Local Reporting for coverage of the National Guard shootings that killed four students and wounded nine at Kent State University on May 4, 1970.

1987: Pulitzer Prize for General News Reporting for “The Goodyear War.” The greenmail attack led by Sir James Goldsmith was costly to Goodyear and the Akron economy.

1994: Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for “A Question of Color,” a series that urged readers to examine and discuss race relations, attitudes and how race plays a part in housing, crime, business and education. It led to the formation of Coming Together, an organization that promoted racial harmony and cultural awareness.

 at the Indianapolis Star.

Steve celebrated the BJ Pulitzer at Larry’s Bar at the same table with Bruce Winges, Michelle LeCompte, Joette Riley, Debby Stock Kiefer, Jim Kavanagh, Fred Gerlich, Phil Glende, David and Beth Hertz, Kerry Clawson and Athena Forrest.

The impressive list of Pulitzers for the BJ:

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: Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for John S. Knight, for a selection of his Editor’s Notebook weekly columns, largely opposing the Vietnam War and defending the public’s right to protest.

1971: Pulitzer Prize for General Local Reporting for coverage of the National Guard shootings that killed four students and wounded nine at Kent State University on May 4, 1970.

1987: Pulitzer Prize for General News Reporting for “The Goodyear War.” The greenmail attack led by Sir James Goldsmith was costly to Goodyear and the Akron economy.

1994: Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for “A Question of Color,” a series that urged readers to examine and discuss race relations, attitudes and how race plays a part in housing, crime, business and education. It led to the formation of Coming Together, an organization that promoted racial harmony and cultural awareness.

 

 

 



Webb Shaw passes away

Former BJ newsroom editor Webb Shaw passed away January 3 in Wisconsin. His widow is Katie Gaab-Shaw.

Jane Gaab Scott, Katie’s sister, is married to former BJ editor Dave Scott. They live in Copley.

Webb’s father, the late Ohio native and Fremont (Ohio) Ross High football star Bob Shaw, was an all-American end on Ohio State’s 1942 national championship team coached by the legendary Paul Brown, who eventually guided the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL.

Later Bob Shaw was a tight end with the 1949 Los Angeles Rams and was receivers coach with the Baltimore Colts in 1958 when they beat the New York Giants to win the NFL championship in what has been called "The Greatest Game Ever Played."

Webb’s obituary:

Webb A. Shaw, 66 years, passed away peacefully at home on January 3rd, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 25, 1951 to Robert and Mary Shaw in Calgary, Alberta.

 

Webb graduated from Northwestern University with a Master’s Degree in Journalism.

 

He married the love of his life, Catherine Shaw (Gaab), in Peninsula, Ohio. They started their family in Ohio and moved to Appleton, Wisconsin in 1992, when Webb began a successful career at J.J. Keller & Associates. Webb retired from J.J. Keller in January 2015 as Vice President of Editorial Resources. He greatly enjoyed working with his colleagues at Keller and serving on the national Software and Information Industry Association’s Content Division Board.

Webb was active in his community. He served on the Town of Caledonia Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee, and he served for 10 years on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Board of Directors. He was proud of his involvement in the International Torch Association. Webb enjoyed sharing meals and conversation with his family and friends. He was an avid reader and wordsmith, and he loved boating, traveling, and football.

Words cannot express how much Webb will be missed by his wife Katie Shaw, daughter Lindsay Davis (Dave) of Saint Paul, Minnesota, son-in-law Steve Sheets of Kiel, Wisconsin, grandchildren Ty and Dominick Sheets and Clara Davis, a sister Amy (Steve Hayes) Shaw and nephew Dakota. Webb was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Shaw, and his beloved daughter, Dr. Erica Sheets.


A Memorial Service for Webb will take place on Saturday, January 13th, 2018 at 11AM at Wichmann-Fargo Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior Street, Appleton, with visitation from 9-11AM. Fr. John Braverman celebrant. Private interment in Ohio.


In lieu of flowers please donate in tribute to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (www.michaeljfox.org ).

Webb’s family thanks the St. Paul Hospice Team and Webb’s extended family, friends, and neighbors for their kind support and care.

 

Another father and son moment for David & Tom Giffels in their touring in final months

David Giffels’ father passes away

Bath resident Tom Giffels, father of former BJ columnist and author David Giffels, passed away Friday, January 5.

Tom was featured prominently in Dave’s latest book, “Furnishing Eternity,” published January 2.

David and Tom worked on dad’s coffin for several years. And had an ad hoc philosophy discussion.

David wrote:

“I've been overwhelmed, in the good way, by all the kind wishes and condolences expressed here. My dad had a magical final year. We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge together on his 85th birthday in March. He enjoyed a wonderful family vacation on Lake Michigan in July. He cooked a turkey for our family's Thanksgiving dinner.

“He passed peacefully on Friday, right around happy hour. I think he wanted to spend the weekend in heaven. Near the end, he said he wasn't sad about dying, only about the fact that other people will be sad. So I choose to mourn him with joy.”

Dave and five centuries of BJ experience left at the same time in 2008.

Tom’s funeral arrangements are pending.

Advertising Art’s Joe Sabo passes away

Joe Sabo, who gave the BJ company newsletter its name of Tower Topics during his 40 years in Advertising Art Department, passed away Tuesday, December 26.

Mike Williams recalls:

“Joe was an Ad Dept artist. I got to know him when I worked in Ad Art as Advertising Sections editor 1977-79. He was a quiet guy with a subtle sense of humor. His art lettering was a distinctive feature of many BJ-built ads in the 1960s and 1970s.

“His title, Tower Topic, won the naming contest for the ABJ employee newsletter in 1968.”

By the way, it was the late Clyde “Bud” Morris, then the newsroom chief artist, who gave the Channels TV guide its name when I was Television Editor.

Former BJ sports editor Ken Krause remembers Joe from the Allied Printcraft bowling league days. And from being heavily involved in the BJ Jamboree.

Another Sabo, Christine Sabo, was a BJ marketing and community relations director, but doesn’t appear to be related to Joe Sabo. Christine replaced Rita Kelly Madick.

Christine Sabo was raised in Norton and graduated from Norton High School and the University of Akron. After college, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a reporter for a few years at a weekly newspaper before joining the Newspaper Association of America.

She married Akron native Edward Sunkin.

Joe Sabo’s obituary:

Joseph Thomas Sabo

Joseph Thomas Sabo, 84, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2017. He retired from the Beacon Journal as an artist with 40 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Joseph and Rose Sabo; brother, Richard; sister, Shirlee; and son David. He leaves to cherish his memory, wife, Pat; sisters-in-law, Darlene Sabo, Donna (Jim) Greer, and Claudia Mills; daughters, Debbie (Rich) Martin, Diane (Jim) Busley; grandsons, Brad, Brian, Patric, Beau (Ashley), Benjamin (Caroline) and Cody. He also leaves many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Memory Care Unit at Essex of Tallmadge.

A private family service will be held. Cremation will take place. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Memory Care Unit at Essex Healthcare of Tallmadge. In memory of our father, please support legislation to advance protection of the elderly who are being neglected, abused, and exploited by people with whom they trust. ADAMS MASON FUNERAL HOME, 330-535-9186.

Ken Krause, former BJ sports editor who lives on Mystic Street in Medford, Massachussetts, revived the three stars have hovered over the BJ Tower for decades with a common heritage: All were born on Christmas Eve.

They were BJ sports editor Jim Schlemmer, born in 1899; BJ Sunday editor Ken Cole, born in 1920; and the incomparable Frances B. Murphey, born in 1922.

This is from a BJ blurb in December 24, 1963.

Depending on the metamorphis of the BJ, Fran wrote a Good Afternoon or Good Morning column that provided a haven for all those who weren’t politicians or businessmen. Fran wrote about Mr. and Mrs. Everybody.

For her co-workers, her highest compliment was "Go to Hell," followed by your name.

Ken Cole’s Sunday department crew included Dick McLinden, later on the copy desk; Larry Bloom; and Bill Bierman. McLinden said his job, when subbing for an absent Cole, was to “keep Lary Bloom and Bill Bierman from getting us into a lawsuit.”

Jim Schlemmer was the gruff guy keeping the sports department as sane as possible, not an easy task with people like Rich Zitrin and Dick Shippy around.

He also promoted the heck out of a Rubber Bowl for the University of Akron football team, and successfully, too, in cohorts with Akron Airport manager B.J. “Shorty” Fulton.

Ken Krause, one of seven siblings, is married to former BJ reporter Maura McEnaney, who works for Fidelity Investments, headquartered in Boston. Maura is the author of “Willard Garvey: An Epic Life.” Garvey built homes in the USA, South America and Asia for people with low incomes, is owner-operator of the “world’s largest” grain elevator, is the “largest private landowner in Nevada” and builder of Kansas’s tallest building—the Epic Center with its slanted copper roof.

Maura knew the Garvey family through friends and, after a half-decade of research and other prep work, put the book together. 

Syracuse graduate Maura’s more than three decades as a business writer and editor include being on the BJ team that won a Pulitzer Gold Medal for its “A Question of Color” about race relations in the Akron area. She left the BJ for Boston in 2000 and later worked for Bloomberg News.

Ken and Maura wound up in Medford because Maura has a lot of family in the Boston area.

Since leaving the BJ, Ken has been free-lancing for civic causes and charities, notably WalkBoston, a group that puts the pedestrian on a pedestal of protection as a non-profit pedestrian advocacy group. And anything to do with art and culture.

 

 

 

 

Consiglio “Cecil” Santoferraro, a BJ printer for 42 years, passed away Tuesday, December 19.

Cecil’s wife, Josephine “Dolly” Castronovop Santoferraro, passed away in January, 2017.

Dolly was a BJ copy girl when she met printer Cecil. They were married for 68 years.

Cecil labeled an editor’s attempt at a fancy layout “jazz on jazz.” He preferred to let the words be the stars.

He was a fun guy to be around.

Cecil’s obituary:

Consiglio Santoferraro

Consiglio Santoferraro, a perfect gentleman, eternal optimist and dedicated family man has taken his gardening skills to richer soil. He passed away peacefully December 19, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.

The son of Italian immigrants, Cecil was born on September 1, 1924 in Akron, Ohio. Ever charming and often ornery, Cecil graduated from Hower High School as class president. Better known to some as “Cecil”, “Coonie”, “Dad”, “Grandpa”, “Great Grandpa”, “brother” or “friend”, he was employed as a printer by the Akron Beacon Journal for 42 years. It was there he met his beloved wife of 68 years – Josephine (“Jo”). His first labor of love, they built their one and only family home in Firestone Park, where they welcomed and raised four children. Never one to shy away from hard work, Cecil kept busy after his retirement by remodeling or painting his and his families’ homes and “sidewalk supervising” neighborhood building projects. In his free time, he enjoyed bowling (including a 300 game at 65) and golf (sinking a 40 foot putt at 89), and his love music which included playing the accordion.

Cecil leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his love of life, children: Nancy (Darren) Toomey, Joe (Vicki) and Dean (Paul); grandchildren: Jason Davis, Laura (Philip) Santoferraro-Angelo, Paul (Karlie), Brett, Nerissa and Ian; six great-grandchildren; and many other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by beloved wife, Josephine; daughter, Laura; parents, Adeline and Dominic; brother, Jimmy; and sister, Nita Pisanelli.

A life well spent with family and friends, he has forever left his mark in our hearts. His infectious smile and gentle soul will forever be missed!

Friends and family will be received Friday, December 22, 2017 from 5 8 p.m. at Hennessy-Bagnoli-Moore Funeral Home, 936 North Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44310. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 83 Mosser Place, Akron, Ohio 44310. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org

Dolly's obituary:

Josephine “Dolly” Santoferraro

Jo Santoferraro, a woman of steely determination, beautiful blue eyes, and a card player extraordinaire, has taken her game to a higher level. Josephine Castronovop Santoferraro passed away January 16, 2017.

Born in Akron, Ohio on November 13, 1928, Jo graduated from North High School in 1946. Soon after, she began work as a copy girl at the Akron Beacon Journal. It was there she met a dashing printer, Cecil, who became the love of her life for the next 68 years. They put down roots in a home they built in Firestone Park and were blessed with four children.

Jo leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her zest for life, husband, Cecil; children, Nancy (Darren) Toomey, Joe (Vicki), Dean (Paul); grandchildren, Jason, Laura (Philip), Paul (Karlie), Brett, Nerissa, Ian; five great grandchildren; as well as many other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by beloved daughter, Laura; parents, Paul and Nancy (Racina) Castronovo; and brother, Thomas Castronovo.

A perfect day to Jo consisted of a good meal enjoyed with family and friends, and, if they were lucky, her homemade cannolis. The table won’t be the same without her!

Friends and family will be received Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hennessy-Bagnoli-Moore Funeral Home, 936 N. Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44310 (corner of N. Main St. and Mildred Ave.). Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 83 Mosser Place, Akron, Ohio 44310. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, c/o the Santoferraro Family. Please go to www.hbm-fh.com to share memories and condolences.

 

Ralph Carney

Ralph Carney, Jim’s legendary musician-brother, passes away

Ralph Carney, singer-composer-musician brother of BJ retiree Jim Carney, passed away Saturday, December 16 at the age of 61 from injuries caused when his head struck the steps he fell on.

Ralph lived in San Francisco with Deena Zacharin and was the father of Hedda Carney before he moved to Portland in 2015.

Their sister, Patsy Carney Hughes, passed away in 1997. 

Ralph, who primarily played saxophones and clarinets, was a founding member of the Akron-based punk band, Tin Huey. He had a long association with singer Tom Waits.

He began his musical career as an Akron eighth grader with banjo, violin and harmonica. By the time he was 15 a saxophone was his constant companion.

Ralph collaborated with nephew Patrick Carney on the Black Keys’ “Attack and Release” album. Drummer Patrick and fellow Firestone High grad, guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach, collect Grammy Awards as if they come from a Pez dispenser.

Earl McDaniel passes away

Earl McDaniel, former BJ deputy Metro editor in 2001-02, who passed away June 19, has been added belatedly to the BJ Memory Wall.

Earl McDaniel

Kent State Journalism/Mass Communication associate professor Mitch McKenney relayed the sad news.  Mitch was at the BJ with Earl when New York City’s Twin Towers were brought down by terrorists.

Earl lived in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. He had esophageal cancer.

After leaving Ol’ Blue Walls, Earl worked for the Pittsburgh Zoo, taught writing and published a novel. He also was a Maplewood high school English teacher and American Legion baseball coach. He was a graduate of Clarion State College in Pennsylvania.

He was buried in Mount Vernon Cemetery in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

Earl’s belated obituary:

Earl “Gar” H. McDaniel Jr., age 65, of North Versailles, passed away Monday, June 19, 2017.

He was a noted writer and author that published the novel Between Lives, as well a respected teacher and an editor for numerous newspapers in Pa., Ohio and Va.

He is preceded in death by his parents Earl and Doris McDaniel. He is survived by his sister Nancy (Steve) VanAuken; niece Courtney (Yoon) Weaver and their children Evan and Abigail and niece Whitney Walker; as well as many close friends. Friends and family will be received on Friday, June 23 from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Forgie-Snyder Funeral Home, 1032 Broadway, East McKeesport, 412-823-8083. A funeral service will be held there on Saturday at 11 a.m., with Rev. Dr. Ronald H. Wakeman officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery in Elizabeth Township.

Memorial contributions can be made to either the Pittsburgh Zoo at www.pittsburghzoo.org or the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at 5115 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232. For online condolences please visit www.snyderfuneralservices.com .

Betty French passes away

Betth French Jarmusch

Betty French Jarmusch, who in the 1940 may have been the first daily newspaper movie and theater critic while in her 20’s, passed away November 15 in Shaker Heights at the age of 96.

She wrote about Marlon Brando in “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway, covered a Duke Ellington concert and the Ohio wedding of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall on Malabar Farm. She began at the BJ as religion editor before her encounters with Wallace Beery, Ginger Rogers, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa and, in an elevator, shared a ride with Trigger, Roy Rogers’ famous horse.

She is survived by her daughter, Ann Marmusch, once art and architecture critic at the San Diego Union-Tribune; and filmmaker sons Jim and Tom. She married Robert Jarmusch, B.F. Goodrich personnel director and Interior Steel Equipment president in Cleveland. They lived in Cuyahoga Falls, then Silver Lake, and finally Shaker Heights.

Betty's obituary:

Betty Jarmusch, beloved mother, grandmother and lifelong writer, died peacefully in Shaker Heights on November 15. She was 96 and the widow of Robert T. Jarmusch, whom she met in an Akron candy store. She was born Ruth Elizabeth French, in Andover, Ohio in 1921, and had previously lived in Silver Lake.

 

Betty French blazed a trail in American journalism when she became the Akron Beacon Journal’s first woman movie and theater editor during the 1940s. She reviewed Marlon Brando and Jessica Tandy in “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway, covered Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s wedding at Malabar Farm, and reviewed a Duke Ellington concert in Akron.

 

A prolific writer, Betty published features, essays and short fiction in the New York Times, Status, Good Housekeeping, Antiques World, Bride’s and Woman’s World. A University of Akron alumna, she later wrote a dramatic screenplay set in Akron involving World War II era spies and their Zeppelin.

 

Betty leaves three loving children, Ann Elizabeth Jarmusch, of Sedona, Ariz., Jim Jarmusch and Tom Jarmusch, both of New York City; her friendand caregiver, Raquel Robinson; and sister-in-law, Geann French, of Wadsworth. She was predeceased by her beloved twin brother, Robert James French.

Arrangements were by Brown-Forward. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing in Betty’s name to the Cleveland Animal Protective League, 1729 Wiley Ave., Cleveland 44113.