Ray Szabo, Executive Assistant of Cyrus Eaton from 1957 to 1979
Raymond Paul Szabo
Ray Szabo was born on October 31, 1930, in Lorain, Ohio, and died in 2017 when he was eighty-five years old. Ray was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the Air Force. He had a long career working with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroads in Cleveland, Ohio. His C & O career gave him the opportunity to work as executive assistance to Cyrus Eaton from 1957 until Eaton’s death in 1979.
He and his wife Patricia with their three children, Brian, Anne, and Karla, traveled every summer to Hubbards, Nova Scotia, Canada. The family loved exploring the beaches, swimming, and having picnics. Ray’s office was on the first floor of Eaton’s summer home. Ray set up Eaton’s trips and assisted him with the many articles and speeches he wrote as well as his enormous correspondence with people all over the world.
In the 1960s, Ray Szabo and his family rented a house near Hollahan Lake where they got to know Robert Parks who lived in small cabin on the lake helping Cyrus Eaton raise a variety of waterfowl. Cyrus wanted to build a sanctuary for waterfowl at Hollahan Lake near his summer home in Deep Cove. He invited landowners to have discussions about creating a preserve that would be approved by the Province. Robert and Cyrus traveled from one lake to another. Ray Szabo and the caretakers of Deep Cove, Cecil and Greta Gates, accompanied them. Ray and Robert shared meals and remained friends for the rest of their lives.
Ray frequently traveled to Pugwash and believed in the importance of the Pugwash Conferences. From 1997 until 2007, he served as one of the three Pugwash Park Commissioners. As a commissioner, he helped make decisions that kept Thinkers Lodge and the Lobster Factory running smoothly. Staff members at Thinkers Lodge spoke of him with fondness. Chef Kathy Dean always made a special apple pie for him. Paolo Brenciaglia, Cyrus’ grandnephew, recalled that Ray worked in the little office that later was combined with the library to become the living room that now displays Joseph Rotblat’s Nobel Peace Prize and Eaton’s Lenin Peace Prize.
Ray was always dapper, discrete, and loyal. Paolo said of him, “Ray was very prim and proper, a nice fellow and good secretary. Guests were impressed by his courtesy and personal attention. Before he went out to greet people, Uncle Cyrus and Ray reviewed personal details about the guests, so Uncle Cyrus could be chatty and personal.” Mary Jamieson, long-time staff at Thinkers Lodge, remembered Ray’s red-rimmed glasses and mustache. She enjoyed his company. Mabel Schnare, who worked with Ray at Deep Cove, used to regale her family with stories of laughing with Ray. All of us grandchildren loved hanging out with Ray. He welcomed us into his office sanctuary and even took us to a town social.
For many decades, Ray served as secretary for the Cyrus Eaton Foundation in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Later, he served as our much-loved president until his death. In these roles, he helped decide what grants would be made in the Cleveland area and in Nova Scotia to assist non-profits. He led meetings with gentle humor, heart, and energy. He had a clear understanding of what organizations Cyrus and Anne would like to support. He listened attentively and was a pleasure to work with.
He later worked with CSX Corporation in Richmond, Virginia. A co-worker wrote about Ray. “What a lovely and caring man. He worked with my late father at CSX Corp. He was always kind and generous with his time and he worked hard to make CSX a good corporate citizen. When CSX was building its headquarters in Richmond, way-back-when, they discovered old barges in the area of foundation, possibly from the late 18th or early 19th century. Ray was a passionate protector of history and archaeology and today a beautiful sculpture of the bargemen stands in front of the former headquarters building. When I walk past that statue at the James Center, I always think of Ray Szabo.”
In his retirement, Ray enjoyed spending time on the beach and traveling to Naples, Florida. Close to all his family and grandchildren, he returned at the end of his life to live with daughter Karla in Ohio.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Walsh Szabo (Oct. 21, 2013) and his son Brian Szabo (April 2, 2016). He is survived by two daughters, Anne Szabo Wynn and Karla Szabo Shiley; daughter-in-law Chris Szabo; ten grandchildren, Lucas, Philip, Brittany, Allison, Spenser, Cameron, Erin, Emily, Colin and Paul; and five great grandchildren, Emma, Brock, Sawyer, Avery and Brecklin.
Karla Szabo Wynn wrote the following tribute about her father, “The word I would use to describe my father and his life-work would be dedicated. Other than his family, work was his life. He was completely dedicated to his job working with Cyrus Eaton, and we were brought up respecting and embracing that life. That life took us to Nova Scotia every summer from infancy to adult life. I only knew Canada as my summer. We learned to love and cherish the time spent there, the love of the outdoors, and the people we met. My father's day-to-day work I cannot speak of other than it was very important to him. He was always a professional.”
Karla continued, “He cared about making his family a part of his work life. We met many people and enjoyed fun times traveling all over Canada. The boat trips every Sunday from Deep Cove were memorable. Mr. Eaton would pick the island, discuss this pick with my father and Cecil Gates, paying attention to the weather. We would make the voyage with home-cooked food in tow, anchor and make our way to shore. Fire building was always the first job. We would all gather wood, make a fire, eat and share stories. It was a time spent with important people. There were many great memories at the "Big House" with talks in the kitchen, visits to my dad's office, playing tennis, swimming at the swim dock and walks in the woods. My father loved and was devoted to Pugwash and its importance. He was dedicated to the Cyrus Eaton Foundation, carefully considering all the grants that were submitted. His consistent dedication to a cause and to people was "him". His life was made very special by his relationship with Cyrus Eaton. Our life was made very special as well. People and his relationship with them were most important in his life. He loved a good story. He LOVED to laugh. My life and his grandchildren's lives were extra special because of his gentle way and welcoming heart.”
Karla has planned a trip to Nova Scotia in the summer of 2018.
Ray died peacefully Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at his residence in Olmsted Township.
Tom Pajk officiated at his service. Memorials may be forwarded to the International Crane Foundation at www.savingcranes.org.
Ray Szabo was born on October 31, 1930, in Lorain, Ohio, and died in 2017 when he was eighty-five years old. Ray was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the Air Force. He had a long career working with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroads in Cleveland, Ohio. His C & O career gave him the opportunity to work as executive assistance to Cyrus Eaton from 1957 until Eaton’s death in 1979.
He and his wife Patricia with their three children, Brian, Anne, and Karla, traveled every summer to Hubbards, Nova Scotia, Canada. The family loved exploring the beaches, swimming, and having picnics. Ray’s office was on the first floor of Eaton’s summer home. Ray set up Eaton’s trips and assisted him with the many articles and speeches he wrote as well as his enormous correspondence with people all over the world.
In the 1960s, Ray Szabo and his family rented a house near Hollahan Lake where they got to know Robert Parks who lived in small cabin on the lake helping Cyrus Eaton raise a variety of waterfowl. Cyrus wanted to build a sanctuary for waterfowl at Hollahan Lake near his summer home in Deep Cove. He invited landowners to have discussions about creating a preserve that would be approved by the Province. Robert and Cyrus traveled from one lake to another. Ray Szabo and the caretakers of Deep Cove, Cecil and Greta Gates, accompanied them. Ray and Robert shared meals and remained friends for the rest of their lives.
Ray frequently traveled to Pugwash and believed in the importance of the Pugwash Conferences. From 1997 until 2007, he served as one of the three Pugwash Park Commissioners. As a commissioner, he helped make decisions that kept Thinkers Lodge and the Lobster Factory running smoothly. Staff members at Thinkers Lodge spoke of him with fondness. Chef Kathy Dean always made a special apple pie for him. Paolo Brenciaglia, Cyrus’ grandnephew, recalled that Ray worked in the little office that later was combined with the library to become the living room that now displays Joseph Rotblat’s Nobel Peace Prize and Eaton’s Lenin Peace Prize.
Ray was always dapper, discrete, and loyal. Paolo said of him, “Ray was very prim and proper, a nice fellow and good secretary. Guests were impressed by his courtesy and personal attention. Before he went out to greet people, Uncle Cyrus and Ray reviewed personal details about the guests, so Uncle Cyrus could be chatty and personal.” Mary Jamieson, long-time staff at Thinkers Lodge, remembered Ray’s red-rimmed glasses and mustache. She enjoyed his company. Mabel Schnare, who worked with Ray at Deep Cove, used to regale her family with stories of laughing with Ray. All of us grandchildren loved hanging out with Ray. He welcomed us into his office sanctuary and even took us to a town social.
For many decades, Ray served as secretary for the Cyrus Eaton Foundation in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Later, he served as our much-loved president until his death. In these roles, he helped decide what grants would be made in the Cleveland area and in Nova Scotia to assist non-profits. He led meetings with gentle humor, heart, and energy. He had a clear understanding of what organizations Cyrus and Anne would like to support. He listened attentively and was a pleasure to work with.
He later worked with CSX Corporation in Richmond, Virginia. A co-worker wrote about Ray. “What a lovely and caring man. He worked with my late father at CSX Corp. He was always kind and generous with his time and he worked hard to make CSX a good corporate citizen. When CSX was building its headquarters in Richmond, way-back-when, they discovered old barges in the area of foundation, possibly from the late 18th or early 19th century. Ray was a passionate protector of history and archaeology and today a beautiful sculpture of the bargemen stands in front of the former headquarters building. When I walk past that statue at the James Center, I always think of Ray Szabo.”
In his retirement, Ray enjoyed spending time on the beach and traveling to Naples, Florida. Close to all his family and grandchildren, he returned at the end of his life to live with daughter Karla in Ohio.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Walsh Szabo (Oct. 21, 2013) and his son Brian Szabo (April 2, 2016). He is survived by two daughters, Anne Szabo Wynn and Karla Szabo Shiley; daughter-in-law Chris Szabo; ten grandchildren, Lucas, Philip, Brittany, Allison, Spenser, Cameron, Erin, Emily, Colin and Paul; and five great grandchildren, Emma, Brock, Sawyer, Avery and Brecklin.
Karla Szabo Wynn wrote the following tribute about her father, “The word I would use to describe my father and his life-work would be dedicated. Other than his family, work was his life. He was completely dedicated to his job working with Cyrus Eaton, and we were brought up respecting and embracing that life. That life took us to Nova Scotia every summer from infancy to adult life. I only knew Canada as my summer. We learned to love and cherish the time spent there, the love of the outdoors, and the people we met. My father's day-to-day work I cannot speak of other than it was very important to him. He was always a professional.”
Karla continued, “He cared about making his family a part of his work life. We met many people and enjoyed fun times traveling all over Canada. The boat trips every Sunday from Deep Cove were memorable. Mr. Eaton would pick the island, discuss this pick with my father and Cecil Gates, paying attention to the weather. We would make the voyage with home-cooked food in tow, anchor and make our way to shore. Fire building was always the first job. We would all gather wood, make a fire, eat and share stories. It was a time spent with important people. There were many great memories at the "Big House" with talks in the kitchen, visits to my dad's office, playing tennis, swimming at the swim dock and walks in the woods. My father loved and was devoted to Pugwash and its importance. He was dedicated to the Cyrus Eaton Foundation, carefully considering all the grants that were submitted. His consistent dedication to a cause and to people was "him". His life was made very special by his relationship with Cyrus Eaton. Our life was made very special as well. People and his relationship with them were most important in his life. He loved a good story. He LOVED to laugh. My life and his grandchildren's lives were extra special because of his gentle way and welcoming heart.”
Karla has planned a trip to Nova Scotia in the summer of 2018.
Ray died peacefully Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at his residence in Olmsted Township.
Tom Pajk officiated at his service. Memorials may be forwarded to the International Crane Foundation at www.savingcranes.org.