The Observation Deck

Condolences to his daughter, Betsy Voinovich, his wife Janet, his family, and his friends. From Fox 8 News http://bit.ly/1PUalum http://bit.ly/1PUalum

My sincere condolences to Betsy and her family.

Betsy:

My condolences to you and your mother on your father's passing.

My condolences to the Voinovich family.

Very sorry to hear the news, condolences to Betsy and his family.

Quite an incredible career.....Governor, Senator, and almost certainly the last Republican that will ever elected as Cleveland Mayor.

My condolences to the Voinovich family on the passing of a true gentleman and statesman. I had the opportunity to work with Sen. Voinovich during my 20 year tenure at City Hall. Of many memorable moments, I recall his presentation before the National League of Cities Congress of Cites in 2006 where Sen. Voinovich made a forceful and convincing argument to continue funding of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), a program many of you are aware from your tenure on the Lakewood CDBG Board. At that time the program was under the chopping block by many in his own party and the National League of Cities, where he later served in a leadership capacity, was forcefully lobbying Congress to re-fund the program. Sen. Voinovich had first hand experience with the program from his tenure as Mayor of Cleveland and as Governor of Ohio and was able to articulate in real terms its importance to cities and their residents. Following his presentation, officials from around the country commented positively and often asked, "is he a Democrat or Republican?" The easy and politically convenient thing to do would be to go with the flow and not alienate members of his own party. Instead he spoke up and positively impacted the decision to save funding for this important program. In short, Sen. Voinovich on this matter and others put service to the community before party.

I also recall his regular attendance at the Lakewood Community Festival we hold each September. He was often one of the few, if not the only statewide official to take the time to hear concerns of the Festival fairgoers.

The Voinovich family has lost a dear and irreplaceable family member. We in Lakewood, have lost a statesman and irreplaceable advocate for our community.

Thomas J. George wrote:I also recall his regular attendance at the Lakewood Community Festival we hold each September. He was often one of the few, if not the only statewide official to take the time to hear concerns of the Festival fairgoers.

Thank you Tom for reminding me of the Governor's numerous visits to Lakewood. He was a frequent participant in the Fourth of July Parade.....here is a vintage Lakewood Observer photo from 2007.
He always wore his helmet to be a good example to the kids.



This photo was taken by the late Bryan Schwegler, who also left us far too soon.

In that picture is Mrs. Voinovich, Betsy's Mom and an LHS grad.

Betsy,

Words alone could never express the respect and appreciation that we have for your father.

What he has done for our community, our state, and our country has contributed much towards making a better world.

I very much doubt, for example, that the Rock Hall would have come to Cleveland without his help. The positive ripple effects of the deeds of someone like your dad go on forever.

You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers. As you are aware, I lost my own dear dad not long ago. Your dad, and my own, have many "monuments" to their many successes in life, but I can assure you that they felt that they had no more precious "monuments"... than you and me.

If you need anything, you have only to call.

Back to the banjo...

Mr. Voinovich was such a kind man, loving father and grandfather and he will be missed. Sending love to Betsy and her family, you are in our thoughts.

Governor Voinovich was governor during the years I worked at Edgewater beach which was run by the state at the time. I profoundly respected him and all the good he did for the city. I recall him being a man of great faith and compassion. He will surely be missed for his service to us all. My deepest condolences to you Betsy, and your family.

Betsy,

My family and I were very sad to hear about the passing of your father. He dedicated his life to public service and helping others, and for that we should be ever grateful and keep that in our memories.

Is there any way that this thread could be thumb-tacked so that those that don't read the Deck every day can send their condolences if they wish?

Thomas J. George wrote:The Voinovich family has lost a dear and irreplaceable family member. We in Lakewood, have lost a statesman and irreplaceable advocate for our community.

Bill, thanks for the posting, Mayor George thanks for the words.

Senator Voinovich was simply one of the best political figures I have ever met. 100% real, honest, and likeable. Always willing to stop and explain a position, or listen while you tried to explain why he was wrong. In the end, most of the decisions he made came from his own critical thought, with his wife Janet and the kids always there to help. It is hard to fault a man for decisions made, when he is willing to own, them, explain them, and give you context on why he felt that way. This is what politics is supposed to be about, accountability.

As for the family side, what can one say, through decades of personal triumphs and tragedies, the family is always united, loving, open, and respectful of each other, and who has been brought into their family or brought to their dinner table. They are the all American family.

To the family, I know what this loss means. I know how shocking it must have been. Together you will get through it, you have that strength, and have been tested so many times before, it must start to seem like a movie.

To Senator, Governor, Mayor Voinovich, god speed. I have never met another politician that was so respected and loved by fellow politicians.

peace/love

Thank you, my Deck family, for the kind words about my father, and for sharing your memories and your good wishes for me and my family. My dad was a wonderful father and his influence on me-- his care of individual people, family, and community-- is one of the main reasons the Observer project is so important to me. He was a fan of the Deck and the paper, and often would remind me, when I was railing on about something, that I was lucky to be in a community where debate was sometimes furious because it proved I lived somewhere that people cared. Your kind words mean a lot to me.

Betsy Voinovich