Karl S. Hay

Karl S. Hay passed away Saturday, May 7, surrounded by his family, after a long illness. He was born March 2, 1928 in Canton, Ohio to Karl S Hay, Sr and Sarah (Hanna) Hay. For most of his life he lived in Akron, Ohio, where he graduated from Buchtel High School in 1945. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1949 and Western Reserve Law School in 1952.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ellen Freitag Hay, their four daughters: Karla Diserens (Robert) of Tuckahoe, NY, Karen Chadwick (Robert) of Fairlawn, OH, Kathryn Lekas (Nick) of Hudson, OH, and Kristin Ives of Radnor, PA; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Karl was an exemplary community volunteer, serving as President of the following organizations: Akron Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Summit County, Ohio United Way, Red Cross of Summit County, Ohio Red Cross, Old Trail School Board of Trustees, Summit County Historical Society, and Planned Parenthood of Akron. He served on fifteen other boards, both corporate and non-profit. He incorporated the Akron Summit Convention and Visitors Bureau, served as its board president for 26 years, helping to raise $27 million, and overseeing the establishment of the John S Knight Convention Center in downtown Akron, where a room is dedicated in his honor.

For almost 50 years, he was a partner in the law firm of Brouse, McDowell, where an award has been established in his name for outstanding volunteerism, recognizing contributions to the greater community by firm employees and partners. In 1992, Karl received the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian Award and was named Alumni Citizen of the Year by The Ohio State University.

After 51 years in the same house in Fairlawn Heights, and over 60 years as members of Portage Country Club, Karl and Ellen moved to Concordia at Sumner in 2011.

Calling hours will be Friday, May 20 from 5-7 pm at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 North Miller Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333. A celebration of his life will be held at 10 am, Saturday, May 21, at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1361 West Market Street, followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in his memory to the Akron Community Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Akron, or St Paul’s Episcopal Church.

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