Traditional barber shops cling to a male tradition

Link to December 29 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt: Barber shops may be fewer in number now, but those who work there still have pride in their job.

Frailey's Barber Shop owner Jeff Frailey said in the 1960s there were 23 such shops within the city limits, but now only his and two others remain.

Trawick's Barber Shop owner Ronald Trawick said on average 18 of his customers pass away every year with few new ones replacing them.

"Most hair I cut is grey," he said.

Obittuary: James Connolly

James Michael Connolly, 55, of 471 Jackson Run Rd., Warren, PA., passed away on Saturday morning, December 26, 2009 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

James was born February 3, 1954, in Warren, the son of Helen Gronick Connolly of Warren and the late James B. Connolly. Jim was a lifelong area resident and a graduate of Warren Area High School. He attended Jamestown Business College and then owned and operated Connolly Beer Distributor with his father for many years. He was a member of the Elks Lodge #223, the Eagles Club, the Clarendon VFW, and the Struthers Hose Co. Jim truly enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially with his boys, was a Cleveland Browns fan, and enjoyed his Genesee beer. He will be missed by all who knew him, especially his family for whom he cared deeply.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Margaret "Peggy" Connolly, Warren, whom he married on May 31, 1980; two daughters, Jennifer Marie Malone and her husband Roger, Pittsburgh, PA., and Kellie Anne Connolly, Ashland, OR., three sons, Michael James Connolly and fiance Ericka Dominick, Warren, Lonny J. Connolly, Sheffield, and James L. Connolly and wife Sarah, Clarendon; five sisters, Cynthia Rock and husband Steven, Erie, PA., Kathleen Teconchuk and husband Robert, also of Erie, Suzanne Sillato and husband Albert, Buffalo, N.Y. Michele Ressler and husband Timothy, Fla., and Amy Swanson and husband James, Warren; his best friend and fishing buddy Bill Acklin; and many nieces and nephews.

Obituary: Ella Cashman

Ella H. Cashman, formerly of Warren, died December 7, 2009 at Springhill Retirement Community in Erie, PA. She was two months short of her 100th birthday. Prior to moving to Erie 15 years ago she had spent most of her life in Warren.

She was the wife of the late Warren physician, Dr. William Cashman, who passed away in 1989. She was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Anna Munson Harrington, her brother William Harrington and sister Alice Harrington Johnson. Surviving siblings are Dr. John Harrington and Anne Harrington Gay, both of Warren. She is also survived by five children: Dr. John Cashman and wife, Diane of Wilmington, N.C., Anne Cashman of Erie, PA., Michael Cashman and wife, Kathy of Bedford, MA., Mary Cashman Dahl of Warren, Pa. and Jane Cashman McComas and husband Jeff of Salt Lake City, UT. Mrs. Cashman leaves a legacy of 12 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren. Also surviving are many of her beloved nieces and nephews. She was a former registered nurse graduating from the Warren General Hospital School of Nursing in 1932 and practiced at the hospital until her marriage to Dr. Cashman in 1937. During her life when she was not raising and caring for her family she was involved in the Warren Women's Club, the Warren County Medical Society Auxiliary, The Red Cross, Girl Scouts, the Warren Art League and the Warren County Historical Society. She was also a member of the Conewango Valley Country Club and St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.

Developers bringing new life to Springfield apartment buildings

Link to December 12 Springfield Republican article.

Excerpt: If 76 Mill St. seems like it has a way to go before it is habitable again, one needs to consider how it looked before Bernal and his partner, Salvatore F. Cangialosi, purchased it and four others at auction in September.

Bernal said a fourth-floor apartment had been gutted by fire, there was trash and garbage everywhere, and the rooftop skylight had a crack in it, allowing two years worth of rain and snow to drip through to the interior.

It was in tough shape, Bernal recalled.

The five buildings Bernal and Cangialosi purchased at the auction belonged to Anthony Ping Zuo, of Weston, the absentee landlord who ran afoul of the city failing to pay his taxes and to maintain his property.

Like 76 Mill St., work is ongoing at the other four sites, and Bernal said they should be made habitable with the next month or so.

Obituary: Thomas Schorman

Thomas R. Schorman, 85, of 15 Weatherbee St., N. Warren, Pa. died Wednesday morning, December 2, 2009 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie, Pa. after a brief illness. He was born October 1, 1924 in Bradford, Pa. to the late Robert C. and Mildred Crooks Schorman. Tom has been a Warren resident for the past 75 years, and was a 1943 graduate of Warren High School. He was employed with the United Refinery Company as laboratory technician retiring in 1988 after 46 years service. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he was chairman of the Church Endowment Committee, a member of the Pilot Koinonia Group and was involved in numerous other church responsibilities throughout the years. He was a longtime member of the Warren Kiwanis Club, Warren Shakespeare club and was a generous, caring person, loving husband, father, and grandfather.

His family and his faith were the center of Tom Schorman's life.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Roos Schorman whom he married September 18, 1948 in Warren, Pa.; 3 Children Robert R. Schorman and wife, Judi of Oxford, Ohio, Deborah California of Meadville, Pa., Barbara Mintzer and husband, Thomas of Warren, Pa.; 2 Brothers Jack and Jim Schorman both of Warren, Pa.; 6 Grandchildren Ryan California of York, Pa., Elizabeth Saylor of Coraopolis, Pa., Kate California of McKees Rocks, Pa., Rachel California of Erie, Pa., Emily Steves of S. Dayton, N.Y., Adam Mintzer of Warren, Pa.; 4 Great Grandchildren Jordan Arthur, Alyssa Steves, Grant and Amelia California, several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his soninlaw, Ronald California; and 1 Grandson Ronald California, Jr.