Cheryl Foster (Bragiel)

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Janet. My thoughts and prayers to her family. I just mailed a card to her yesterday.

Cherry Foster Bragiel

Claudia Bokesch (Bair)

Roger, I extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family on the news of Janet's death. May God bless you all. Claudia Bokesch Bair

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Cindy (Cynthia) Jones (Blubaugh)

Roger, I am so sorry to hear of Janet's passing. I know that you will miss her terribly. But remember that she is with the lord now and has no pain or suffering. Her soul will be with you and she will keep a watchful eye on you and your daughter and her family. Love, Cindy (Jones) Blubaugh

Carla DeAngelis (Ellis)

Roger,  May your many beautiful memories help you through this difficult time.  I am saddened by your loss and my prayers are with you and your family. Carla

Carol Cline (Burt)

My deepest sympathy goes out to Roger and his family.  I remember he and Janet both rode the same bus as I did in grade school and part of high school.  There were a lot of memories and I'm sad to see her passing, but if there weren't any angels in heaven, there is now.

Tim Bowen

From Jan Davis:

Friends,

May the Heavens accept our friend and the Angels trumpet her arrival.

I must admit I didn’t know Janet Gosnell in high school. I remember her face and know of her presence there. But I do not recall interacting. My memory of her at your 50 year reunion is vague. Roger delivered a very moving speech about the deaths of Jimmy and Chas so she must have been there. Probably quietly sitting at their table watching with admiration as the love of her life let out all his pent up emotions about his  dead friends. She most likely was very proud of him. Her passing, therefore, affects me in a different way than it does those of you close to her in school and over the years. Those of you who knew her and interacted with her will feel her loss . Her time on earth affected you. My sympathies to you all. And to Roger.

I am affected by her passing. My emotion is like losing a piece of the puzzle. We were in Austintown school system facilities at exactly the right time. It’s heyday. No better time before nor since. Our parents picked the newly expanding west side, bought homes, moved their families from cultural neighborhoods. And went  to work. 

Austintown Fitch schools brought us all together. First, in smaller groups, at the elementary schools built new in the budding neighborhoods. Then, the old Fitch building for high school. I appreciate the quality of teachers hired during that expansion. Many were young, first time teachers. Or very little teaching experience. Some were veterans. more were like us, children of war tired fathers. How lucky we were at that time and at that place to meet each other and share the era. It can never be reproduced. Our lives away from school may have had challenges not shared with many but the hours at school were shared  with happy friends, good activities, caring staff, and the safe environment not present today. I am very thankful for the inspiration I received from each of you and other classmates; for the opportunity to see what the wide world had to offer; for an environment and activities that challenged my mind but did not threaten my well being.

 It was a gift.

A few years ago I lost my best girlfriend from grade school through high school. I met her my first day of school in the first grade and saw her most every day of my life for the next 12 years. We stayed friends until her death. She died suddenly and unexpectedly. I was affected by her passing. And it started me thinking about Austintown and what a wonderful place it was at the time for all of us. As the years pass, we will  lose other friends.  I want to say how important the gift was to me. And thank you all for allowing me to remember it more vividly through the memorial project. You are very much a part of the puzzle.  

 I will be praying for Janet Grafton’s family in days to come. And for the well being of all of the remaining pieces of the puzzle that was the best Austintown era ever.

Jan

William Soccorsy

All

how interesting that the passing of one of us, should inspire such a profound perspective about our little piece of the world during the 1950's & early 1960's.  We are all sharing Roger's loss of his soulmate Janet, yet we are so proud of another classmate's memories.  Thank You, Jan Davis !  Know that our hearts are with you in your sadness.  Bill Soccorsy

Judith Newbery

Roger, you have my deepest sympathies.. I know we are not in touch with each other, but when one of our classmates passes, it takes away a piece of who we are..  I remember Janet as a kind sweet girl..that is how I will always remember her...Blessings.   Judy Newbery

Kay Bowers (Wertman)

Janet was a dear sweet soul and will be missed so much by all who knew her.  Always kind, always a smile and never an unkind word.  It's hard to accept that she will not be with us anymore but her spirit will live on with Roger. Rest in peace dear girl...

Sandra Davidson (Payne)

S.orry for your loss Roger, I think Janet and I were friends from 1st grade til  graduation she wiil be missed.  Sandee Payne