Charles Edward McSweeney
C. Edward McSweeney, 88, devoted husband and father, died peacefully in his sleep on November 5, 2010 in Denver, Colorado, and is now reunited with his wife of 55 years, Barbara Engler McSweeney. He was beloved by many and will be dearly missed.
Ed was born in Fairlawn where his family operated the Fairlawn Riding Academy and the Fairlawn Ride-a-Bike for many years. He was a graduate of St. Vincent High School and the University of Akron. In October 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and flew on B-17s and B-29s during World War II. He retired from the Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel. Ed was employed for several years at Firestone and the Guggenheim Airship Laboratory before the war, and worked for 40 years after World War II for B.F. Goodrich as an aircraft tire design engineer. He was a member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church, the 73rd Bomb Wing Association, the 20th Air Force Association, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Air Force Association, and the Military Officers Association of America.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Engler McSweeney and by his parents, Hermine Wiebelt McSweeney and C. Edward McSweeney, Sr. He is survived by his children: Kathryn (husband George Chakos) of Berkeley, California, Edward (wife Debra Cherson) of Montpelier, Vermont, Ellen of Akron, Ohio, Kevin of Akron, Ohio, Mary Anne (husband Greg Parker) of Lakewood, Colorado, and Peggy (husband John Penberthy) of Boulder, Colorado; grandchildren, Ariana and Liam McSweeney and Erin Penberthy; and sister, Mary Helen (husband Milt) Cox of Fairlawn, Ohio.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family will receive friends at Hummel Funeral Home, 3475 Copley Rd., COPLEY, on Friday, November 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Glenmary Home Missions, P.O. Box 465618, Cincinnati, OH 45246, St. Sebastian Parish Foundation, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, OH 44320, or to a favorite charity.