Bill Wynne, retired PD photographer died April 19 at age 99. The obit didn't justify his life. So Jo Ellen Corrigan, former PD colleague, shared emails she had with Bill about his life.
I have many cousins in Scranton as well as Cleveland.
Yes I have covered the Gardenview Horticultural Park in Strongsville several times with Irma Bartel Garden editor. I worked with the Sunday Features Dept. my first 11 years at the PD. '53-'64 although I worked some newsroom assignments too. After that I did mostly news work and from '69- '74 was State roaming reporter/photographer for the State Desk. My best and most happy work years. Retired in '84 And returned to NASA for 4 years part time when I retired again to take up writing my memoir which I started in 1946 found there was little interest in WWII . After all, everyone at the time lived it and didn't even want to think about it. Then the third generation came along with the 50th Anniversary and were/are curious about the war that killed 75 million people. WWII wasn't even in school history books in the U.S.at any level during those 50 years between.
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In my book you will find my wife Margie and Smoky spent years at odds with each other. From when we arrived home it changed our lives. When writing the book for 11/2 hours a day she would yell at me. "We're retired the world doesn't need another book!" When it was published she admitted it was a good book to my daughter. More to come.
Bill
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my maternal grand parents come over from Ireland . Grand mother from Ballina, County Mayo and grandfather from Ballicroy, County Mayo, met in Cleveland. My father Martin Wynne and Beatrice Caffrey married in Scranton, PA. where grand parents Bridget "Mom" Durkin Caffrey settled as Grandfather Anthony was a coal miner. He died at age 40 and mom Caffrey raised seven with my mother the eldest at age 15. The Wynne's, name meaning white or fair in Welsh came from Ireland earlier. There are many Wynne's in Ireland . Another branch came with William Penn to PA in 1680. I was born in Scranton, returned to Cleveland at two weeks of age with my mother who wanted to be with her mother as I was such a burden before the beginning.
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My mom raised us working full time during the depression. I ran the streets of westside Cleveland until age 18. A lousy student in school, graduated from West Tech High school class '42 at age 20 (flunked two years.) Specializing in Horticulture and one year elective in photography that changed my life around. Running the streets gave me the most profound education in two successful life endeavors. The street experience gave me the advantage in photography making my work different from others both at NACA/NASA Cleveland and at the Plain Dealer. Some how I am in four halls of fame. I will be known though for having perhaps the greatest dog in history. I 'll stop here and fill you in later. I'm sending you a copy of my memoir," Yorkie Doodle Dandy or the Other Women was a Real Dog." You will find my street experience was also prime in learning about dogs.
The book will have more info in my bio.
Bill
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pal Mary Strass and I did" COCO, the Special Delivery Dog" together. Thank you for the flattery!
Smoky has six memorials in the U.S and now three in Ausrralia, where she was born in Brisbane in mid 1943. It took until the 50th Anniversary of WWII and the third generation to show interest in WWII. We just didn't talk about it. I started my book in 1946 but dropped it because of lack of interest. Many things are happening with Smoky. I am leaving for Calif. tomorrow for a week. Until July 28,
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I love the Metroparks Rocky River Reservation. It was three mile trek when I was kid.
The memorial there happened because of Jim Strand a former Marine medi-helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Jim was shot down three times but was wounded while driving an ambulance. Didn't know him until he called to tell me. "HEY MR. WYNNE ,I bought your book at a book store here in Eastlake for my wife. I'm going to go to the Metroparks Board and tell them they should have memorial for Smoky as she is a war hero. " Couldn't believe it but Jim made that happen and then went to his mayor and city council in Eastlake and they established another one for Smoky at Doggy Park. Lost friend Jim from an attack from agent orange suddenly.
Without Jim, there would be no Smoky memorials in the Cleveland Area. I love going there. I leave little toy cars for boys and tiny dolls for girls. It is so much fun. Thank you for being a fan of Smoky and me. Perhaps we'll meet sometime.The PD Editorial retirees meet quarterly. Will Be in Independence for luncheon on July 31.
Bill
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