Poland- Scott Hockenberry passed away Friday, July 8, 2011, at the Hospice House in Poland, surrounded by his family after a courageous 6 year battle with cancer. He was an inspiration to all his family and friends and will be missed terribly by all.
Scott was born Aug. 13, 1959 in Altoona, PA., to Robert E. and Janet E. Hockenberry. He studied music at both Ohio State and Youngstown State Universities and accounting at Youngstown State University. He earned bachelor's degrees in Music and Accounting (Magna Cum Laude) from YSU. Throughout the years he worked passionately in both fields. In business, he earned both the CPA and CMA certifications with scores in the top percent of the state.
As a CPA, he worked for five years for Packer Thomas and more than eight years with Cohen and Company. He concentrated in manufacturing consulting in both firms. During this time, he took numerous Board of Directors and committee positions. These positions included those with the Ohio Society of CPAs (OSCPAS) and YSU. He spent a two year term as president of the local chapter of OSCPAs and was on various boards for them. He was also very active member of the YSU Outreach Accounting Advisory Board and the YSU Accounting Department Advisory Board and was a campaign team leader for the United Way of Youngstown and Warren.
He was a frequent guest lecturer and instructor for the YSU accounting and business courses and was the lead auditing and accounting instructor of a national CPA review course. Scott's final work in the accounting field was a six-year stint in private industry, acting as the financial manager for Accuform Manufacturing in Youngstown.
During the entire time, Scott was very active in the music field, working with area bands and organizations. His first paid studio recording occurred when he was just 16 years old. He could be seen performing with many local big bands, rock bands, and local shows and productions. He led his own jazz group that performed throughout the area. These affiliations led him to recording dates and work with national acts including the Four Tops, Marie Osmond, Donnie Iris and Al Martino. Scott had numerous critical reviews and articles published in nationally released jazz magazines.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Elizabeth, whom he married Aug. 9, 1987; his mother Janet of Austintown; his brothers, Gregory (Jill) of Wooster, Robert (Diane) of Boardman and Jeffrey (Cynthia) of Champion.
He was preceded in death by his father, Robert.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at hospice of the Valley for their compassion and care of Scott during his final days.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Scott and Elizabeth Hockenberry Accounting Scholarship, c/o the YSU Foundation, 606 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44502.
A celebration of Scott's life will be held Wednesday at 7 P.M. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland with Rev. Michael Sester officiating.
Family and friends may call from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.