1938
Andrew
2014
Andrew Robert Hamady
April 7, 1938 — August 13, 2014
Andrew (Andy) Robert Hamady, aged 76, both a graduate and teacher of Woodrow Wilson high school, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning after a lengthy illness. Born April 7th, 1938 to Andrew R. Hamady and Helen Sege of Youngstown, Andy was a valuable and prolific member of our community.
In his early years, Andy was a talented and popular actor. In high school he appeared on a local TV show called The Rumpus Room. Andy went on to spend a summer in Peterborough, New Hampshire where he participated in Summer Stock productions under his registered stage name, Aaron Bishop. He was a prominent member of the Youngstown Playhouse for 20 years and he acted in various shows and career elevating roles such as Chuckles the Clown in "1000 Clowns," for which he won an Arthur Award, and Buffalo Bill in "Annie Get Your Gun." His creativity was boundless. Andy was also a accomplished writer and published poet, highlighted in Atlantic Monthly magazine.
Andy completed a bachelors degree in education from Youngstown State University and an MA from Westminster. He went on to a vibrant career as a social studies, history and government teacher at South High School for 4 years, and Woodrow Wilson high school for 32 years. He also was a member of Phi Delta Kappa a fraternal organization whose mission it is to promote high quality education, in particularly public education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. He was also the coach for the award winning forensics and debate teams at each school. He impacted so many students over his 36 years of teaching that it was impossible to go anywhere with him without hearing someone shout his name. Many smiles and hugs later it was clear that another student of his had a tremendous respect for him. As floor manager of the Vindicator Spelling Bee for over 40 years, his presence and impact were again, evident.
As Andy positively impacted the countless students who he actively brought into his life, he also helped his fellow teachers. His commitment to fair wages for educators lead to his role as the chief union negotiator for the Youngstown Teachers Association. He recorded records for Tales of the Mahoning Valley and did voiceover work for years making radio and television advertisements. After retiring from teaching he was the president of Metromedia Promotions, his own advertising company. He specialized in crafting TV and radio campaign advertisements for numerous local politicians, successfully getting many of them elected and re-elected with his creative advertising concepts.
Andy was a civil rights promoter, community leader and he worked tirelessly to serve those less fortunate in the Youngstown community. Andy faithfully served the Mahoning County Democratic Party throughout most of his life. Serving as Precinct Committeeman for many years and other leadership roles, Andy was able to work across party lines and always promote any project that would enhance the Youngstown community.
After retirement Andy taught speech as an adjunct instructor in the speech department at YSU and continued to help any student in need of guidance and educational assistance.
Andy served his hometown community of Poland by serving as: president of the Poland Historical society for the Little Red Schoolhouse, as scoutmaster for 4 years for Pack 44 at the Poland Presbyterian church, as president of the Mahoning Mental Health Board, and as an umpire for the Poland Baseball Association.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia DiGiovanni Hamady of Poland, his son Christopher Mark Hamady of Toledo, his daughter Melissa Ruth Hamady Altintas of Istanbul, Turkey, and daughter Rachel Lynn Hamady Kerns of Poland. He leaves seven grandchildren, Serra, Suzan, Evelyn, Andrew, Alaina, Christopher, and Camille, daughter in law Carrie Hamady, two sons in law, Orhan Altintas of Istanbul, Turkey and Michael Kerns of Poland. Andrew also leaves behind his brother in law, Charles DiGiovanni and wife Nancy of White Pigeon Michigan. Two nieces Heather DiGiovanni Chretian and Heidi DiGiovanni Barker and their families.
Family and friends may call from 4-7 Friday at Cunningham Becker Funeral Home in Poland. A graveside service lead by Pastor Lewis Macklin will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Poland, Saturday at 1:00 P.M. The family requests that memorial gifts be made out to The Youngstown Playhouse a�... 600 Playhouse Ln. Youngstown, OH 44511.
In his early years, Andy was a talented and popular actor. In high school he appeared on a local TV show called The Rumpus Room. Andy went on to spend a summer in Peterborough, New Hampshire where he participated in Summer Stock productions under his registered stage name, Aaron Bishop. He was a prominent member of the Youngstown Playhouse for 20 years and he acted in various shows and career elevating roles such as Chuckles the Clown in "1000 Clowns," for which he won an Arthur Award, and Buffalo Bill in "Annie Get Your Gun." His creativity was boundless. Andy was also a accomplished writer and published poet, highlighted in Atlantic Monthly magazine.
Andy completed a bachelors degree in education from Youngstown State University and an MA from Westminster. He went on to a vibrant career as a social studies, history and government teacher at South High School for 4 years, and Woodrow Wilson high school for 32 years. He also was a member of Phi Delta Kappa a fraternal organization whose mission it is to promote high quality education, in particularly public education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. He was also the coach for the award winning forensics and debate teams at each school. He impacted so many students over his 36 years of teaching that it was impossible to go anywhere with him without hearing someone shout his name. Many smiles and hugs later it was clear that another student of his had a tremendous respect for him. As floor manager of the Vindicator Spelling Bee for over 40 years, his presence and impact were again, evident.
As Andy positively impacted the countless students who he actively brought into his life, he also helped his fellow teachers. His commitment to fair wages for educators lead to his role as the chief union negotiator for the Youngstown Teachers Association. He recorded records for Tales of the Mahoning Valley and did voiceover work for years making radio and television advertisements. After retiring from teaching he was the president of Metromedia Promotions, his own advertising company. He specialized in crafting TV and radio campaign advertisements for numerous local politicians, successfully getting many of them elected and re-elected with his creative advertising concepts.
Andy was a civil rights promoter, community leader and he worked tirelessly to serve those less fortunate in the Youngstown community. Andy faithfully served the Mahoning County Democratic Party throughout most of his life. Serving as Precinct Committeeman for many years and other leadership roles, Andy was able to work across party lines and always promote any project that would enhance the Youngstown community.
After retirement Andy taught speech as an adjunct instructor in the speech department at YSU and continued to help any student in need of guidance and educational assistance.
Andy served his hometown community of Poland by serving as: president of the Poland Historical society for the Little Red Schoolhouse, as scoutmaster for 4 years for Pack 44 at the Poland Presbyterian church, as president of the Mahoning Mental Health Board, and as an umpire for the Poland Baseball Association.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia DiGiovanni Hamady of Poland, his son Christopher Mark Hamady of Toledo, his daughter Melissa Ruth Hamady Altintas of Istanbul, Turkey, and daughter Rachel Lynn Hamady Kerns of Poland. He leaves seven grandchildren, Serra, Suzan, Evelyn, Andrew, Alaina, Christopher, and Camille, daughter in law Carrie Hamady, two sons in law, Orhan Altintas of Istanbul, Turkey and Michael Kerns of Poland. Andrew also leaves behind his brother in law, Charles DiGiovanni and wife Nancy of White Pigeon Michigan. Two nieces Heather DiGiovanni Chretian and Heidi DiGiovanni Barker and their families.
Family and friends may call from 4-7 Friday at Cunningham Becker Funeral Home in Poland. A graveside service lead by Pastor Lewis Macklin will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Poland, Saturday at 1:00 P.M. The family requests that memorial gifts be made out to The Youngstown Playhouse a�... 600 Playhouse Ln. Youngstown, OH 44511.
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