Steve Esrati, 89, dies

Former PD Reporter Tom Quinn, now living in Dayton, reports that former PD copy editor Stephen G. Esrati died Aug 18 in Dayton.

Steve’s  son, David, sent along a link to his father’s self-prepared obituary.

Here’s the link:

https://esrati.com/obituary-stephen-g-esrati-aka-dad/13069

Garden editor Irma Bartel Dugan dies

Long time PD garden editor Irma Bartel Dugan died Thursday, July 28, 2016. She was garden editor from 1958 to 1988.

According to the Collinwood High School Alumni Association, Irma Dugan was recognized  for her horticultural achievements from the Garden Club of America, Cleveland Botanical Gardens (formerly known as the Garden Center of Greater Cleveland), and the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association.

Mrs. Dugan was named an Honorary Member of the lnternational Society of Arboriculture, and a Fellow of the Garden Writers Association of America.

She originated the garden touring program for the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and  escorted tours for twenty years, visiting more than twenty-four countries.

She was on the Board of Trustees of Holden Arboretum. She graduated from Collinwood in 1950.

Survivors include her daughter Carol Haueis; stepsons Gary Dugan (Jan), Tom Dugan (Sharon) , late  stepdaughter Patricia Steinfurth (Glenn), and eight grandchildren and eight  great-grandchildren. She was married in 1986  to David R. Dugan, who died in 1993. 

 Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 21211 Detroit Rd., Rocky River, OH 44116 or to Judson Park, 2181 Ambleside Dr., Cleveland, OH 44106. An hour of fellowship will be held in the parlor of St. Thomas Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 10 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. with Rev. Eric Van Scyoc officiating. The family would like to invite everyone to a luncheon reception afterwards at the church. Private interment at Crown Hill Memorial Park in Twinsburg. Arrangements by BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 21369 CENTER RIDGE RD., FAIRVIEW PARK, OHIO. 440-333-9774 www.buschcares.com -. 

Chris Pett-Ridge dies

People may  remember  Chris Pett-Ridge as one of several Englishmen who worked at The Plain Dealer in the early 60s and 70s.  Chris, 71, has died of  melanoma.

At the PD, he was a reporter, editor and graphic designer. He left the PD in 1985  and went to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where he was in charge of Page 1 design.

 Here’s the obit from the Post-Gazette: 

By Susan Smith / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Affable, energetic and erudite, Christopher Pett-Ridge found his life's work in newspapering and a lifetime of pleasure in travel, running, reading and family.

For nearly 25 years, he designed the face of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette with the self-described mission of turning out a front page that was both elegant and serious. Even as late news on tight deadlines developed, he succeeded always on both counts, remaining calm and focused while creating a crisp presentation of the day's top stories.

He was so wedded to the daily drama of producing a newspaper that after his retirement in 2009, he chose to continue working a day a week, and did so until mid-May.

Mr. Pett-Ridge, of McCandless, died Friday of melanoma that was diagnosed in late October. He was 71.

Long-time, now-retired senior news editor David Michelmore, who worked side by side with Mr. Pett-Ridge for 15 years putting the Post-Gazette together at night, remembers his colleague, and occasional hiking partner, fondly:

"We used to joke that he was pictures and I was words. It wasn't that clear. I leaned on him to check my news judgment, to tell me when headlines didn't make sense, and to speak up when stories just bored him, which was often. He was a true friend. No matter how we differed or how cranky I had become as the night wore on or how much I teased him, we never put the paper to bed angry. "

Mr. Pett-Ridge's route to Pittsburgh was a colorful one, beginning the day he was born in London on Sept. 9, 1944, smack in the middle of Hitler's V-2 missile assault on the city in the waning days of WWII.

His father was a colonel in the British Army and in the field at the time, his mother a homemaker with an older son. Mr. Pett-Ridge worked his way through the English school system until his last year of high school,  which he spent as an English Speaking Union exchange student at Tabor Academy, a private boarding school in Marion, Mass.

Among his escapades that year, besides occasionally studying, were participating in a sailing competition between Newport, R.I., and Bermuda and hitchhiking cross-country to the Seattle World's Fair. Most importantly, he would tell friends, during that time he met his roommate's sister, Jean Cherry, on a blind date that took them to New York City to see "West Side Story." They married five years later.

His newspaper career began with a three-year writing apprenticeship for a small weekly paper in England. After emigrating to the United States in 1966, he went to work for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, then served a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, became a citizen and returned to the Plain Dealer in 1971. There, he moved from writing to graphic design.

By the time he joined the Post-Gazette in 1985 his talent for integrating important news into smart page design was undeniable, and, even during a period when the paper was doing little hiring, irresistible. He was put in charge of defining the look of the newspaper, and influenced a generation of page designers, artists and photographers in the process.

“His work reflected the very best in both British and American newspaper design,” said John Robinson Block, the Post-Gazette’s publisher and editor in chief. “But the greatest thing was that he was a gentleman, and it was a pleasure to know him.”

As busy and devoted as he was at work, Mr. Pett-Ridge lived a life in full outside of it.

He and Jean raised two daughters, Jennifer and Julie, both now accomplished research scientists who live on the West Coast. Mr. Pett-Ridge attributed their path to achievement to his wife's smarts and parenting skills but his involvement and pride in his daughters' lives from childhood on were evident to all who knew him.

Julie said her father had a talent for plotting all manner of family adventures, some with more twists than others. In particular, she remembers a 30-mile "Mad Dash" across Glacier National Park to catch a boat and long rambling hikes along the Pembrokeshire Coast of Wales "when we mis-estimated when the tide was coming in or when the last bus came around."

For Jennifer, her father's love of good writing was a constant and an inspiration. She would turn to him for his opinion and edits from the time she was a young student working on her school newspapers to the scientific writing she does now. He was also a creative, funny writer, she said, whether it was the few lines he'd pen on her birthday cards, his longhand letters to faraway relatives, or the first chapter he wrote for a group novel his and Jean's book club started — and never finished — years ago.

"I don't think any of the other couples ever wrote another chapter, because they couldn't match the style nor the quality," she said.

An insatiable reader, Mr. Pett-Ridge took in three newspapers a day, a book or two a week, a dozen magazines a month, none of the going simple or light. Then there was the biking, hiking, camping and especially the rowing and running.

For much of the time he worked at the Post-Gazette, Mr. Pett-Ridge would leave his job around midnight, go home and catch a couple hours of sleep then show up at dawn for training at the Three Rivers Rowing Association's base on Washington's Landing, where he competed in the masters rowing program for more than 20 years.

He also completed 20 marathons and in recent years ran three ultra marathons in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, the last one at age 69, making him the oldest runner on the snow--and-sleet-covered course. His prizes that day were getting his name on the Kepler Challenge trophy as well as receiving a tent, which he promptly re-gifted to a race volunteer.

Despite his interest in recreational athletics and his 30 years in the City of Champions, he remained indifferent to American professional team sports. Post-Gazette Executive Editor David Shribman remembers stopping in the office in February 2006 when Mr. Pett-Ridge was designing the front page for the Steelers' Super Bowl appearance that year. Across the top of the page, he had placed a score: Steelers 21, Sea Dogs 10."

"Chris, who knew so much about so many things, was oblivious to the fact that the Steelers were playing the Seahawks," said Mr. Shribman. "It was probably the only thing he did not know. He was a sharp editor and the warmest, most utterly loyal and generous of friends. It is impossible to think of Pittsburgh or the Post-Gazette without him — and the wisdom he applied to the smallest things along with the biggest things."

Besides his wife and daughters he is survived by two sons-in-law and four young granddaughters.

At his insistence, Mr. Pett-Ridge's family will mark his passing with a get-together for friends and family at a future date at their home, the celebration inspired by a favorite Tennyson poem: "May there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea."

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, where Mr. Pett-Ridge volunteered for many years.

Susan Smith: ssmith@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1858.

Next PD alumni luncheon July 29

Next luncheon: Noon, Friday July 29.

Place: Kumo Japanese Seafood Buffet, 1975 Snow Rd., Parma, across the street from Midtown Mall. 

Take I-480 to State Road. Go south to Snow Rd., 

Turn left (east). 

Just past the Parma library, Enter the parking lot south of Snow.  

Kumo is on the south side of the lot. 

We have requested the private room again.

Menu: Japanese and Chinese food, from dim sum and sushi to teriyaki and tempura. Also ice cream.

Special price for those sumptuous choices: $7.99. Beverage extra.

RSVP by Tuesday, July 26.

JoAnn Pallant (440) 734-1923 or email japallant@sbcglobal.net

or Janet French (216) 221-2318 or email jabfr519@cox.net

Bill Lucey’s guide to Cleveland

Former PD aide Bill Lucey has put together an unconventional guide to Cleveland for the GOP convention. It’s on his blog www.dailynewsgems.com

 He’s added more photos and hopes to market it as a tour guide to hotel and the visitor’s bureau.

\The guide points out areas that visitors might be aware of in Northeast Ohio.

This updated version includes more pictures with references to the Mapp v Ohio Supreme Court decision (illegal search by police) , a mention of George Steinbrenner's Bay Village home, along with a brief mention of the Sam Sheppard case with an emphasis on the Bay Village Historical Society where there are a number of displays on the Sheppard murder trial.

J Steve Hatch dies,visitation Thursday

Correction,, visitation will be THURSDAY, Funeral death notice wrong:


Former Cleveland Newspaper Guild leader and PD reporter J. Steve Hatch, 76, died Monday. His daughter Laura found him at home. He had been feeling poorly after having surgery for a stomach aneurism several weeks ago.

Visitation  will be Thursday,  May 19, from  5 - 8pm at CRACIUN FUNERAL HOME 14925 East Bagley Rd. Middleburg Hts.. Online condolences at craciunfuneralhomes.com 

This link will take you to some old photos of Steve and PD events.
www.legacy.com/link.asp?i=ls000180020212

April luncheon

PD Editorial Retirees & Expatriates

Gather for lunch on the last Fridays of January,

April, July and October

Spouses and guests always welcome

NEXT  LUNCHEON: Noon, Friday, April 29, 2016

PLACE: Der Braumeinster, 13040 Lorain Ave. corner of W. 130 & Lorain. Park behind restaurant or across the street in the CVS lot but park away from their door.

MENU: Choose from: Weiner Schnitzle, Roast Pork, Sausage Platter, Chicken Paprikash, or Seafood of the Day. Meal price ($19.70) includes meal, non-alcoholic beverage, tax and tip. Meal includes entrée and side dishes.

Please let us know what entree you would like when you RSVP

RSVP by Tuesday, April 26.

Jo Ann Pallant (440) 734-1923 or email japallant@sbcglobal.net

or Janet French (216) 221-2318 or email jabfr519@cox.net

Connors’ book “I Will Find You” out today

Plain Dealer Movie Critic Joanna Connors’ book “I Will Find You” is out today.  It is the brave and compelling story of her rape  by a stranger while on assignment  in 1984 at a theater at Case Western Reserve University.  She wrote an award-winning series about tracking down her assailant for the Plain Dealer in 2008. 

The book has been getting outstanding and excellent reviews across the country and in Europe.

She’ll also be at the City Club of Cleveland on Thursday April 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. It's free, but you have to register.  All the book sales will benefit the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. 

Some of the reviews: 

The London Telegraph:
The experience sucked her out of her happy, ordinary present into an unfathomable black hole, which would keep her and her family struggling in its gravitational pull for years to come. Written in the present tense, precise in its graphic detail, it is also the story of her decision, 22 years later, to go in search of her rapist and find out what had driven him to seek her out. As the two-way title – the last words her rapist spoke to her that day – suggests, I Will Find You is both an unflinching portrait of trauma and an act of journalistic courage.

Publishers Weekly: “After 30 years, she goes on a quest to uncover the personal story of David, the man who raped her, and in the process encounters the stories of brutality faced by David’s family as they experience poverty and racism. Connors talks with David’s siblings, who reveal their own trauma and exposure to violence at the hands of an abusive father and a broken legal system that over-incarcerates poor people of color. She examines the racial politics of Cleveland as she crosses geographic divisions between rich and poor neighborhoods, seeking out David’s family. This book is a powerful story of exposing and confronting emotional scars in order to move forward. With emotional honesty and the precision of a seasoned journalist, Connors explores her own trials coping with the aftermath of rape, which leave the imprint of a constant fear and lead her to mistrust even close family members. Connors’s astute reflections on race, gender, and the personal plight of victimhood make this book a must-read.:

January Lunch scheduled for Jan. 29

PD Editorial Retirees & Expatriates

Casual Unstructured Lunch Troupe (CULT)

Gather for lunch on the last Fridays of January, 

April, July and October

Spouses and guests always welcome

NEXT  LUNCHEON: Noon, Friday, Jan. 29, 2016

PLACE: Crop Kitchen located at the southeast corner of E. 115th St. and Euclid Ave. The side of the restaurant faces the two-block southern spur of E. 115th St., off Euclid a long block east of Mayfield Rd and west of E. 117 St. Look for the street sign, just east of a stop light and beside a bus shelter and the new Art Institute. Turn south. Park at meters on the west side of the street or in a small lot at the south end of the street. If full, turn around and go to the public parking lot on the southeast corner of Euclid and E. 115th. There is a stoplight at that corner. Cross Euclid carefully. 

MENU: Order from menu. Check http://www.cropkitchen.com/.

 RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 26. 

JoAnn Pallant (440) 734-1923 or email japallant@sbcglobal.net

or Janet French (216) 221-2318 or email jabfr519@cox.net

Printer Cosmo Lanzilotta dies

Those of you who worked in the composing room at the old 1801 Superior building will remember Cosmo Lanzilotta. Always chatty and quick with the exacto knife. 

LANZILOTTA COSMO J. LANZILOTTA, age 78, beloved husband of Emmie (nee Donnell);

father of Charles (dec.) (Joanna), Sherri and Joseph (Jorcenelle); Papa of Juliana; brother

of Anna Marie Masciere, Frank, Joann Conte, Norma Light and the late Angelo, John, Albert,

Ralph, Esther Pucillo and Rita; uncle and great uncle of many. Proud U.S.M.C. Veteran.

Long-time employee of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Passed away October 27, 2015. Mass

of Christian Burial Tuesday, November 3, St. Patrick Church (West Park) at 9:30 A.M.

Inurnment Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of

CLEVELAND, 4420 ROCKY RIVER DR. AT PURITAS, MONDAY 6-8 P.M.

www.chambersfuneral.com

Published in The Plain Dealer from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, 2015

- See more at: http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=cosmo-j-lanzilotta&pid=176250186&fhid=14012#sthash.oNgTZBh4.dpuf

October luncheon Oct. 30 in North Olmsted

PD Editorial Retirees & Expatriates

Casual unstructured lunch troupe

Gather for lunch on the last Fridays of January, April, July and October

Spouses and guests are always welcome 

NEXT LUNCHEON:  Noon, Friday, October 30, 2015

PLACE: Macaroni Grill, 25001 Country Club Blvd., North Olmsted. (off I-480 and Great Northern Blvd. between Chili's and Lone Star Restaurant. Ample parking.

MENU:  We can order off the menu. They have a $10 3-course lunch with a choice of 4 entrees. The menu has Pastas, Salads, Parmesans and more. Menu at www.macaronigrill.com 

RVSP by Tuesday, October 27:

JoAnn Pallant (440) 734-1923 or email japallant@sbcglobal.net

or Janet French (216) 221-2318 or email jabfr519@cox.net

New CEO for NEOMG,

Timothy P.Knight, who fired all of the Chicago Sun-Times'  photography staff and eliminated all endorsements of political candidates by the editorial board, is head to Cleveland as president of Northeast Ohio Media Group, which operates Cleveland.com.

Here is the  lead and  link  to  the story on Cleveland. com:

Timothy P. Knight, an experienced publishing executive with extensive digital experience, who has held leadership positions at Tribune Company, Newsday and most recently the Chicago Sun Times, has been named president of the Northeast Ohio Media Group (NEOMG), which operates cleveland.com, the Sun News and is responsible for all multimedia ad sales and marketing for The Plain Dealer.

Knight will succeed Andrea Hogben, who announced in August that she is leaving the company at the end of this year.   

Here's the link to the rest of the story

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2015/10/timothy_p_knight_named_preside.html#incart_river

Here's another take from Poytner.com:

http://www.poynter.org/news/mediawire/376879/sun-times-ceo-exits-for-newhouse-
cleveland/

Blogger Robert Feder of Chicago has insight at http://www.robertfeder.com/2015/10/05/sun-times-ceo-timothy-knight-exits/

The exodus continues

They said goodbye to  Plain Dealer veterans D'Arcy Egan, Gayle Powell, Ron Rutti, Alison Grant and Clint O'Connor Wednesday night, Sept 30 , 2015, at Becky's bar on E. 18. 

 The five took the latest buyouts.  A lot of experience in that group.  D'Arcy was the outdoors writer, Clint the movie reviewer.   Rutti ruled the city desk and Alison took on business.  Gayle was a clerk.  

The buyouts meant that no one had to be laid off.  

Doris O'Donnell dies

From The Plain Dealer:

CLEVELAND, Ohio --  Doris O'Donnell, who covered everything from the Sam Sheppard murder case to the Hough riots during her long career as a Cleveland journalist, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015  at age 94.
Her death was reported by the Tribune-Review in Pennsylvania, where O'Donnell once worked.
She grew up in Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood and joined the Cleveland News in 1944. O'Donnell began working for The Plain Dealer in 1960.
Columnist Brent Larkin wrote in 2009 that "O'Donnell was Cleveland's first female superstar reporter.
"She made her mark covering cops, courts, organized crime and a bit of local politics. Along the way, she won more local and state journalism awards -- by far -- than any woman before or since. No journalist in town had more sources. And none could be as tough, resourceful, even ruthless," Larkin wrote.
"Sure, I was ruthless," she told him. "But I was a nice ruthless."
She wrote about her career in an autobiography, "Front-Page Girl."

According to Richard Ellers,  Doris was a protege of John Rees who was her City Editor at the News,and came to the PD, same as he did, when the News was folded.

He sent her out to be a taxi driver during WW2.

The photo is from a PD alumni luncheon in 2011.

Here's the death notice:

BEAUFAIT DORIS E BEAUFAIT (nee O'Donnell), age 94, died Sunday, September 27. Doris grew up in Cleveland. From the time she was a young girl, she knew that she wanted to be a journalist. In 1944 she joined the Cleveland News where she met fellow journalist and future husband, Howard Beaufait. In 1960 she joined the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Doris made her mark covering the courts, organized crime, police and local politics. Brent Larkin of the Plain Dealer called her 'the first female superstar reporter.' In 1984, she was inducted into the Press Club of Cleveland Hall of Fame. Doris is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard. Friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME, 356 W. AURORA RD. (ST. RT. 82) SAGAMORE HILLS FOR VISITATION FRIDAY 2-4 AND 6-9 P.M. Family and friends are asked to gather at St. Mary Catholic Church, 340 N. Main Street, Hudson, Ohio Saturday for a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Doris' life at 1 p.m. www.cleveland.com/obits

Egger to Philadelphia Inquirer

According to Crane's, "Terry C.Z. Egger — the former publisher of The Plain Dealer who led the city’s effort to secure the Republican National Convention — has been named publisher of the parent company of the Philadelphia Inquirer."

Here's the link:

www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150824/NEWS/150829909/terry-c-z-egger-to-become-publisher-of-philadelphia-inquirer-parent

Recalling Hurricane Andrew

Today, Aug. 24, 2015,  marks the 23th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew.

On the 20 year anniversary (2012), Bill  Lucey, a former Plain Dealer library assistant, posted a Q & A with former Miami Herald editor Doug Clifton. 

http://www.newspaperalum.com/2012/07/20-year-anniversary-of-hurricane-andrew-a-q-a-with-doug-clifton.html

July 31 alumni luncheon

PD Editorial Retirees & Expatriates

Casual unstructured lunch troupe

Gather for lunch on the last Fridays of January, April, July and October

Spouses and guests are always welcome

 Luncheon July 31, 201 

NEXT LUNCHEON:  Noon, Friday, July 31, 2015

PLACE: Shula’s 2 at the Doubletree Hotel, 6200 Quarry Lane, Independence

Take I-480 to I-77 South. Exit at Rockside Road and turn left at light. Turn right at Bob Evans restaurant and proceed up the road to the hotel. Ample parking. 

MENU: We will be ordering off the Express Lunch Menu – all items $8.99, plus beverages and desserts. Gratuity will be added to the check.   Entrees include such items as Cobb Salad, Meatloaf Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Soup and Salad special and burgers.

RVSP by Tuesday, July 28

Patti Graziano is filling in for Jo Ann and Janet. Contact her at 216 741-6532 or pgraziano@roadrunner.com.

Bob Roach died

Bob Roach, who retired in 1994 after 46 years at The Plain Dealer, died.  He was 95.  His last position at the PD was as Friday Magazine editor.

Here's the death notice from the paper:


ROACH ROBERT W. ROACH, age 95. Beloved husband of 53 years to the late Beverly (nee Masch); dearest father of Brian (wife Laura); loving grandfather of Olivia and Samuel Roach. Bob was a Marine Corps Veteran of World War II. He was a graduate of Adelbert College, Western Reserve University. Bob worked for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for 46 years, retiring in 1994 as an editor. He had a lifelong love of tennis and a fondness for his '71 Chevy Malibu convertible. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in memory of Bob to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110. Funeral Service Monday, June 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the SCHULTE & MAHON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME, 5252 MAYFIELD RD., LYNDHURST (BETWEEN RICHMOND AND BRAINARD) where the family will receive MONDAY, ONE HOUR PRIOR TO SERVICE TIME. Interment Aurora Cemetery. Please sign Guest Book at: www.schultemahonmurphy.com - See more at: http://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?pid=175170669#sthash.EB5aw5Nz.dpuf

Got news?

Come on PD alums. We know you are up to something. So send us your news.
Traveling, gardening, moving? We're listening.
With art, please.

Millie Matteucci dies

Always smiling Millie Matteucci died June 13, 2014 at the Hospice of the Western Reserve from lung cancer.  She was the wife of former PD artist Vince Matteucci. She worked in features, mostly on the TV book.  She was the Zelda  often in the late Janet McCue's columns. She and Vince loved Las Vegas.

Here's the death notice:

Millie Matteucci (nee Vedova) age 81. Dearly beloved wife of Vincent, loving mother of Anne Agozzino (Joe, deceased), Terry Koch (Doug), Toni Hyland-Romell (Rich Romell) and Gina Moore (Dan); adored grandmother of Lia Pickel (Micah), Charlie Agozzino, Rocky Agozzino, Lee Koch, Christian Koch, Danny Hyland (Michelle), Michael Hyland (Alicia), Vincent Hyland, Terry Hyland, Alex Moore, and Molly Moore and great grandmother of seven; dear aunt, cousin and friend of many. FAMILY WILL RECEIVE FRIENDS THURSDAY 4-8 PM AT CORRIGAN CRACIUN FUNERAL HOME, 20820 LORAIN RD., FAIRVIEW PARK. Relatives and friends are asked to meet for a Funeral Mass Friday at 10 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 6928 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. Inurnment St. Joseph Cemetery in Avon. Family suggests donations to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church or Hospice of the Western Reserve. Online condolences at www.craciunfuneralhomes.com

Send Flowers