Joseph Anthony Sourini

Joseph Sourini
Friday, October 31, 1941  -  Sunday, February 12, 2023

Joseph A. Sourini, 81, loving husband, father, grandfather and enthusiastic sports fan passed away Feb. 12, 2023, after a series of strokes. Joe was born in Cleveland on Oct. 31, 1941 to Anthony and Grace (nee) Sourini. He was a graduate of Benedictine High School, Kent State University and Mount St. Joseph University. In his youth, Joe was an accomplished accordion musician who spent the 1950s touring the Midwest with KYC radio.

The first in his family to graduate from college, Joe became a social studies teacher for Massillon City Schools where he taught history and government at Washington High School. He loved history and specialized in the Civil War period often dragging his family to every Civil War battlefield he could find between Ohio and Florida where he loved to vacation.

For 25 years, he authored a weekly sports column called “Locker Room Chatter” for The Hartville News. A lifelong baseball fan, he traveled to spring training many years watching more teams than his family can count. Joe was a lifelong fan of Ohio sports and Cleveland teams -- especially the Cleveland Indians/Guardians and his beloved Massillon Tigers. He was a true believer who always insisted next year would be “the one we’d win a championship.” Joe loved all baseball and in his later years was a fan in the stands at many high school and college games. In addition, Joe enjoyed musicals and country music. He blended his love of writing, music and theater by writing reviews about shows performed at the Carousel and the Canal Fulton Dinner theaters. After his teaching career, he worked for the Stark County Library System and led very active mystery book clubs at both the Lake Community and Madge Youtz branches.

Joe is survived by his loving wife Sandy (Walker) Sourini; daughters Suzanne (Robert) Hunt and Jodi (Kenneth Korane) Sourini; grandsons Ethan Hunt and Derek Korane; stepchildren Steve (Jennifer) Walker, Greg (Erica) Walker and Jocelyn (Chris) Powell; step grandchildren Breslin, Hazel, Josiah, Niall, Sam, Louisa, Elliott, Maverick, Everett, Micah, Rory, Toby, Francesca; former wife and friend Lindalee Sourini; his beloved kitties Sparkles and Sonny; and many cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Bacher-Moore Funeral Home, 3326 Manchester Road, Akron, Ohio 44319, with Pastor Brett Faris officiating. Visitation will be held ONE HOUR PRIOR at the funeral home.

Joe loved children and animals, so in lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,  the Stark County Humane Society, the Animal Protective League in Cleveland, your local animal shelter or adopt an animal.