In Memoriam:  Polly Paffilas 1921-2005

Polly Paffilas died on Thursday, May 26, 2005.

The best tribute for Polly is probably a story written for the May / June 1983 issue of Tower Topics written by her friend and co-worker Fran Murphey to report that Polly had been presented the John S. Knight Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Here’s the lead on her obituary by staff writer Marilyn Miller:

A colorful character in the newsroom, Polly Paffilas, the former food writer and About Town columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal, died Thursday. She was 83.

A supporter of the arts and an animal lover, she had an affinity for hats and enjoyed dressing up. .Friend and colleague Nancy Yockey Bonar of Medina said even after Miss Paffilas retired she would get up every morning, put on her makeup, get dressed and select her earrings and rings.

"That was her daily ritual, she'd be up and at 'em, ready and dressed. She was still the lady."

She loved to cook and always. used her good china for guests at lunch, dinner or bridge parties.

"Polly was one of the grand dames of journalism,' said her former longtime colleague Mickey Porter. "She'd tackle any kind of story."

Her newspaper career covered more than 45 years before she retired in 1987.

She and colleague Frances B. Murphey, who died in 1998, broke into the business as temporary hires when the staff was short in the newsroom during World War II,.

Polly Paffilas receives JSK Award

By Fran Murphy
It was like a big family party when Polly Paffilas received the John S,. Knight Award from the Buckeye Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists.

Relatives came from Florida to join Polly’s "extended family" to fill the Tangier’s ballroom.

The 575 persons at the May 24 event represented a many-faceted career, There were friends, co-workers from past and present, neighbors and church associates along with her dentist, hairdresser and representatives of the media, business, industry, civic and social organizations.

They stood and applauded the 41-year Beacon Journal staffer as she received a bell and plaque for outstanding contributions to the community and journalism.

The award carried the name of Mr. Knight, the :"boss man" at the Beacon Journal before his death in June 1981.

Looking out at the crowd from the podium, Polly said, "Can you believe this? All this for a kid who wasn’t good enough to get on the high school newspaper. Eat your heart out, West High."

She spoke lovingly of her Greek immigrant parents, Steve and Catherine Paffilas, and lessons they taught about values, work and patriotism.

"Maybe this would have made up for my parents’ disappointment that I didn’t become a teacher," she commented.

At her family table was Cathy Paffilas, the daughter of Polly’s late brother, John; her mother, Dolores, both nurses in Miami Beach, and another niece, Judy McNear of Shaker Heights.

The Rev. George N. Bartz, pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, pronounced the invocation. He also told how this year Polly became the first woman in the congregation to read at an Easter service.

Polly recalled that when he began work at the Beacon Journal in 1942 there were 280 employees. ;Tod we have 745 and sometimes it seems like 700 are editors and bosses," she said.

She referred to the small, family atmosphere becoming impersonal ands corporate in many businesses. She jabbed at the multitude of memos and conferences used today to operate "your place or mine."

As her laugh-provoking speech ended, Editor Paul Poorman hugged her and remarked, "My parents told me to beware of Greeks bearing manuscripts."

Poorman introduced David Lawrence Jr., Detroit Free Press editor, who discussed how newspapers can win and keep readers.

A slide show traced Polly’s life story from her birth in Parkersburg, W. Va., through childhood and school days to the various activities she has reported. She has interviewed President Harry Truman, King Paul of Greece, baseball star Mickey Mantle, TV personality Phil Donahue and many famous persons.

Polly was at the Summit County Courthouse when she applied for a job at the Beacon Journal. She moved down from High Street on November 15, 1942, starting as a file clerk in the reference library, then called the "Morgue."

She moved to the City Desk, reporting religion, teen, miliary, community and other news. Then she wrote club news and features and served as women’s editor. Since 1977, she has been the About Town columnist.

Widely known as a food writer, she gave up that job after discovering she had diabetes. In 1980, a 20-bed facility for treatment of diabetes was named in her honor at Akron General Medical Center.

Proceeds from the 10th annual JSK banquet, like its predecessors, provides funds for scholarships for deserving journalism students in the five-county area around Akron.

Among the journalism scholarship winners was Ross Sneyd, a Kent State University student who has worked part-time at the Beacon Journal sports desk.