James M. Black
James M. Black, 69, of Canton, Ohio, passed away peacefully Feb. 12 surrounded by his family at Chapel Hill Retirement Community after bravely living with Alzheimer’s.
He was born Feb. 18, 1943, in Butler to the late Willis and Evelyn (Roth) Black.
A 1961 graduate of Butler High School, he went on to earn a chemical engineering degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1965. Throughout his career, Jim held various positions in the plastics industry, retiring as senior vice president of operations at Clear Pack in Franklin Park, Ill., in 2005.
Jim lived a very full and vibrant life, enjoying travel to many exotic locations, such as sailing through the Panama Canal, riding the Orient Express and researching his heritage in Scotland. A runner and hiker, he completed the 100th Boston Marathon and hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail. He was an avid Steelers fan, and also enjoyed music, playing bridge and spending time with his family and companion dog, Tucker.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Clara (Lockhart) Black; and sister Carol Maize.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Susan (Price) Black; his three daughters, Heidi (Robert) Vandrak of Harmony, Heather (Michael) Sullivan of Newport, N.C., and Megan Black of Chicago, Ill.; his grandchildren, Julia, Jane, Bobby and Stephen Vandrak and Katie and Erin Sullivan; his sisters, Judy Deahl of Butler and Merry Snyder of Centennial, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.
BLACK — Per his wishes, James M. Black, who passed away Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, was cremated. A memorial service will be later.Thank you to Chapel Hill, Mercy Medical Hospice and the caregivers who supported Jim and his family.Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org/goto/jamesmblack, or sent to the Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Suite 201, Hudson, OH 44236.
