Edward George Hrivnak's Obituary
Edward “Eddie” George Hrivnak escaped this mortal realm on Friday, February 5, 2021 at the age of 96 to go play basketball in the prestigious heaven League. Born in Lakewood, Ohio (Birdtown District) on June 27, 1924. He came into this world on June 27, 1924 and many swear that he was holding a basketball when he entered this world. It may have been an accordion – the witnesses to this event have long passed. Regardless, if they were still around you would hear stories of bouncing basketballs and music playing all over the Birdtown District of Lakewood, Ohio.
After graduating from Lakewood High School in 1942, Ed was recruited by Mt. Union College to play basketball on a partial scholarship where he was the first person to letter as a freshman. He supplemented the scholarship with a job and was grateful for the support from his father and brothers.
In college he enlisted in Naval Reserves, was assigned to the V-1 S unit and after nine months was on active duty assigned to the V-12 Unit at Baldwin Wallace College. The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II. [Between July 1, 1943, and June 30, 1946, more than 125,000 participants were enrolled in 131 colleges and universities in the United States.] The Navy sent Ed from BW to Columbia University where he attended Midshipment school earning the rank of Ensign. He was 19 years old. In March of 1945, Ensign Hrivnak volunteered for extra-hazardous duty into a unit called UDT, Underwater Demolition Team. [Today the unit is known as the Navy SEALs]. Edward would end up serving in the China Burma India Theater (CBI Region) and the Island Hopping campaigns. Ed said “they drove over the Burma Road into Kunmig, China on missions protecting the air bases and few other things.”
After WWII Ed returned to Baldwin Wallace to earn a bachelors in science while playing basketball and running track. On 26 November 1947 the BW paper wrote this about Ed’s basketball skills. “Leading scorer on the team for the past season was Hrivnak, the tall but fast-moving star from Lakewood. Eddie has perfected a marvelous shot that will drive opponents wild this season. He takes off from about the foul line and somehow makes it to the basket in one lunge.” His senior year as a starter, he set several team records. His excellent set shot, combined with strong leaping ability and known for floating on a drive-on scoop shot may have set the stage for many of today’s fast break moves. He would be the high scorer at BWU (220 points), placed 3rd in the district during his senior year and was inducted into the BW Hall of Fame in 1980.
Following graduation from BW Edward worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron where he played basketball for the Goodyear Wingfoots, part of the National Industrial Basketball League (NIBL), as a center in 1948. Ed earned the team high scorer and made the all-league team.
In 1949 Ed became a teacher and coach. Ed was at Newton Falls High School for six years where the basketball team posted a 65-25 record then he took the helm at Wickliffe High School for one year. It was during this time that Ed earned a Master of Education using his GI bill.
Ed next arrived at the Roehm Junior High, a new school in the Berea School System, where he taught and coached until he retired. He also earned his Doctorate in Education while teaching at Roehm. Over the years, Edward had a thing for remembering his many friends and students, especially the people who played sports.
While teaching at Roehm a friend asked Ed to join a co-ed organization. He played softball and joined a band playing his accordion or piano at parties and after games. At an event, Ed saw an “attractive girl across the room”, asked her to dance and they were married nine months later in December of 1960. Ed and Gail were active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Berea where they raised two children.
Ed will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. Preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Mary (nee Scerba) Hrivnak, siblings John, Andrew and Ann. Survived by his wife of 60 years, Gail Mary (nee Boyd) Hrivnak. Father of Mary Kaye Hrivnak; Helen Christian, son-in-law Ed, and granddaughter Lauren.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church (https://secure.myvanco.com/YGM3/home) or Baldwin Wallace Athletics (https://www.b-wcommunity.net/give)
Online condolences and memories may be left on Eddie’s memorial page at www.sunsetfuneralandcemetery.com
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