Catherine L Wirsing andf Fred Prince: 2 Notable Euclid Deaths

My friend John Wirsing lost his mother this past week, Catherine L. Wirsing. I first met "Wheels" (John's loving nickname for his mother) around 1966. Mrs. Wirsing was a wonderful person, with a keen memory and sharp mind right to the end of her life (96 years). Her husband Arthur died almost 50 years ago, yet Mrs. Wirsing made a good life for herself and her 5 children despite this huge loss. They were wonderful parents, as can be discerned from the quality of their children--Tom, Mary, Jane, Donna, and John. Catherine Wirsing was the grandmother of 22 and great grandmother of 35. One of her granddaughters, Katie, babysat for my children on occasion. Catherine Wirsing will be missed by her friends and family. As they say in Ireland, "The like of her will not be seen again!"

In today's Plain Dealer is the obituary of another important person from Euclid, Ohio: Fred J. Prince. I didn't know Mr. Prince, but I was a classmate of his son Tom at St. Joseph High School and an admirer of his son Ken while at St. Joe's. It is my understanding that Tom Prince is a scientist at Cal Tech. While at St. Joe's from 1962 to 1966, he was one of the brightest academic and athletic stars. If I remember correctly, Tom was a straight A student for his high school career--and he absolutely aced the SAT's. As a runner, he was among the fastest 440 yard dashers of his high school era. The same was true for his older brother Ken. I once saw a 220 yard dash on St. Joe's cinder track where Ken Prince ran the race in 21.9 seconds--and lost! He lost by a nose to Clinton Jones, an outstanding athlete from Cathedral Latin. Mr Fred J. Prince and his wife Diana must have been excellent parents to raise the likes of Tom and Ken.