Edward Torchy Smith

This is From JERRY KELLER 

Karen lived five houses down from me when I first moved to Shaker, and we hung out most every day together until that X and Y factor started kicking in. I’ll always remember her as a good friend,and very caring toward others. At both of our last reunions I found myself spending blocks of time hanging out with her and reacquainting myself with the comfortable relationship we had as youngsters. It was a memorable and cherished part of my reunion experience. My wife passed away a few months ago, and each time I see a classmatepassing on, I now remember all of the health aphorisms our parents used to espouse. If you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything important. Hoping everyone is taking good care of themselves through the pandemic, physically and mentally. Cherish each day, So that we may go to sleep thinking our world is a better place for how we lived this day.

GERRY:  That was really a very good addition to Terri's "In Memory" section.  Our families didn't seem to move around frequently which resulted in school friendships much stronger than those today with our children and grandchildren. I also new Terri from Lomond School and saw her from time to time after graduation.  I had dinner with Terri and Terry (her husband) last spring right before the Covid outbreak.  There were some other Shakerites also at that dinner in Florida.  Now I feel like the Angel of Death announcing all these on our website.   On the other hand the flashback memories such as the ones you wrote about here makes it worthwhile.  It generates a perspective of our youth and people we miss.  It is always worthwhile to express yourself to the rest of our class.  Knowing Terri she would appreciate every word.  She was always an UPBEAT person and very expressive.  My message to all of you is feel free to add your 2 cents on any of our deceased classmates.  Simply click on the IN MEMORY on the left side.  A list will appear alphabetically ( please note they did not die alphabetically).  Click on the name and an area will appear to write your condolences.  Then click on to post.  When you are done hit SUBMIT below.   The class will get an email with that a new link has been added to the posting you just created. 
 

GERRY: That was really a very good addition to Terri's "In Memory" section. Our families didn't seem to move around frequently which resulted in school friendships much stronger than those today with our children and grandchildren. I also new Terri from Lomond School and saw her from time to time after graduation. I had dinner with Terri and Terry (her husband) last spring right before the Covid outbreak. There were some other Shakerites also at that dinner in Florida. Now I feel like the Angel of Death announcing all these on our website. On the other hand the flashback memories such as the ones you wrote about here makes it worthwhile. It generates a perspective of our youth and people we miss. It is always worthwhile to express yourself to the rest of our class. Knowing Terri she would appreciate every word. My message to all of you is feel free to add your 2 cents on any of our deceased classmates. Simply click on the IN MEMORY on the left side. A list will appear alphabetically ( please note they did not die alphabetically). Click on the name and an area will appear to write your condolences. Then click on to post. The class will get an email that a new link to that posting.

I am so sorry to hear about teri’s passing. We were great friends in high school and carpooled to school with Gerry biggin and Nancy Ludwig. I was able to keep in touch through her brother and nephew who live in phoenix. Rest in peace

It was great talking with you today Bennett. I hope many others from our class are not shy and pick up the phone and call once in awhile. We need to all keep in touch that way.
Texting and email is just not the same. You don't need a long distance operator now. Tell you kids about that !!!

https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/oh/cleveland/marla-f-schmittke-11750122

Robert was one of my first playmates going all the way back to Mrs. Brunner's Nursery School.  He lived one street away from me on Avalon.  That side of Avalon went to Byron and the other side went to Woodbury.  I lived on Riedham so I went to Woodbury.  That boundary cut off a few streets from the Lomond School group of kids where most went to Byron.  During those years we drifted away but there was still a strong tie to our families.  My father played poker with his father in the basement of the KUMIN FUNNERAL HOME with all the caskets and my mother was on the phone with his mother all the time . Or so it seemed. Also at one time my bother was friends with his brother, Jerry.  A lot of memories are rushing by.  And they are all good.  Since his death of a few days ago  I have thought about him almost every day.  I think that may be a common practice  when a past friend dies who really meant something to you from the past.   Robert did very well as you can see from his obit.  I hope others here remember him fondly as I do.  My last time seeing him was at our 50th reunion.  He was not much different than the first day we met. Of course back then we were rolling around in the back of a stationwagon with no seat belts and being jammmed in with other 4 year olds. We laughed a lot on both occassions. Robert had the same good natured personality all through his life.  

Posted on: Sep 18, 2020 at 8:28 AM

EARLY: Happy Birthday. Thanks for buying my book.

I forgot. Who are you?

Posted on: Jun 11, 2020 at 4:10 AM

Keep up your happy Birthday Greetings to all our class members. So now It's your turn. Hope your wine making keeps you happy as a great hobby.

According to Ed Stock , our class counselor, we would all be truck drivers. Too bad we are not I could meet and see you again when on the road again. Let's all sing that Willie Nelson Song. I remember your freezer always had Hamburgers from the Pewter Mug and once in awhile we ate them in the kitchen of your Dad's restaurant before going to a Indianian 's game. Stop on by next time you are in Cleveland.

Sorry for not adding more information about Joel. Joel died on January 1, 2020 of esophageal cancer at the age of 72. He leaves behind a wife but no children.

Happy Birthday Torchy. Thanks for all you do!

THIS MESSAGE IS FROM JERRY KELLER

Torchy - If you could post this for Connie Zucker’s page, I’d appreciate it.

There could not have been another female classmate whose demise would have had as much of a shock as hearing about Connie’s passing. My memory is of her warm and tender heart, shining face, and magnetic personality. We went out to many functions over the matter of our years in high school,, and whenever she accepted my date offer, it always felt the world was right again. 

      I played Saxophone in the Sunliners with Ronnie Carren and 

Howie Weiner, and whenever we played the song Misty, for some reason I would think of her. After quite a hiatus, I picked up the Sax again, and whenever Misty is requested, it still gives me flashbacks to memories of Connie. 

  I am sure knowing that Connie is gone, playing Misty will not just pull on the strings of my heart, but will also create a tear in my eye.  

Here is the link to her Obituary :

https://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/obituary.aspx?n=connie-zucker-reider&pid=195806631&fhid=2153

Posted on: Mar 16, 2020 at 1:11 PM

How are you hitting them? It's the only thing left to do now that we are all shut ins.