Abe Zaidan

Abe Zaidan, 89, of Fairlawn passed away peacefully at home on April 26, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy, his sons Rick and Mark, daughter-in-law Karen Fitzgerald, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant sons James and Daniel, and his parents Abe and Helen Zaidan of Mt. Pleasant, PA. Abe was born in Johnstown, PA in 1931 - and grew up in Mt. Pleasant, PA. He attended the University of Pittsburgh for two years and transferred to the University of Illinois and graduated from their School of Journalism in 1953. He worked for the school's radio station (WILL) as a newsman. He and Nancy married in November of 1953. In May of 1954 he was inducted into the US Air Force and served as a communication officer for two years at Mitchell AF Base on Long Island. His first newspaper job was in 1956 for the La Porte, Indiana Herald Argus, after two years he joined the staff of the Columbus Ohio Citizen Journal. In 1963 he became editor of the Commentator Magazine in Columbus, Ohio. When the Commentator ended its run after 5 years a friend suggested he interview with the Akron Beacon Journal. He got the job and always felt it was the best move he ever made. Working for John Knight was the highlight of his career. He worked as a Reporter, Metropolitan Editor, Political Editor, and Columnist. In 1971 Abe was part of the Beacon Journal team that won the Pulitzer Prize for their team coverage of the Kent State shootings. He won the John S. Knight Award in 1991. He worked for the Cleveland Plain Dealer for several years before he retired, however he never stopped writing and wrote his "Grumpy Abe" blog about politics for a dozen years, only stopping that a few months ago. If you would like to remember him, he felt very strongly about the Akron-Canton Foodbank . Private family services will take place.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory  85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.