John R. Seaburn

John R. Seaburn, 88, passed away on November 4, 2023.

Born in Beaver Falls, PA, he was a resident of Akron. He graduated from Beaver Falls High School and completed 2 years at Geneva College in PA. John served 8 years in the Air Force and was employed as a Sports Writer for both the Canton Repository for 10 years and for the Akron Beacon Journal, where he retired with 31 years of service. He enjoyed covering all sporting events: outdoors, pro bowling, college & pro basketball, baseball, football, PGA & LPGA Tours. He covered the Masters, NCAA basketball final four, PBA Championships and many other major events.

He won numerous writing awards. He researched and discovered the first black football player from 1904 named Charles Follis in Shelby, OH. In 1967 he was inducted into the Greater Canton Amateur Sports Hall of Fame after the Stark County Federation of Conservation Clubs chose him as Conservationist of the Year for helping get the organization started. He organized the Summit County Senior Golf Association in 1983.

He was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame when presented with the Andy Palich Award in 2002, in recognition for outstanding contributions to the betterment of sports in Summit Co. He achieved other accomplishments that are too numerous to mention.

Outside of sports he enjoyed reading, fishing and writing his autobiography, “Out of Tank Alley.”

John was preceded in death by his parents, John J. Seaburn and Ruth (Anderson) Seaburn; brother, Gerald Seaburn (survived Cathryn). He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia Seaburn; children, John L. (Cindy), Jeffrey, Joni, Jim (Darlene) Seaburn; grandchildren, John O., Todd, Stephen, Justin Seaburn, Jillian (Mike) Zucosky, Allison (John) Pickering, Michelle (Nick) Marcellus; 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Jane) Seaburn.

Cremation has taken place and a private ceremony will be held at Western Reserve. Memorials are suggested to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 290 Turnpike Rd, Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581 or your favorite charity.