Obituary

At the age of 86, Judge Harry E. Klide passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 2, at his home, surrounded by his family's love . He was born in Canton, Ohio, on July 19, 1930, to the late Eugene and Maria Klidos. From the ages of 8 to 16, during World War II, he lived on the Island of Samos, Greece, with his mother and three siblings while his father labored in Canton. He was a graduate of Lehman High School, Kent State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree. He served in the United States Air Force as a legal officer. Judge Klide practiced law for 26 years and began his public career in 1970 as President of Canton City Council, where he served for two years. He was elected City Law Director and held that office for thirteen years. He was Municipal Court Judge and Stark County Common Pleas Court Judge from February 1985 until he retired on December 31, 1996. Many who served with Judge Klide when he was the Canton Law Director were inspired to become judges and other public officials in Stark County. Judge Klide was a member of several committees of the National Institute Municipal Lawyers Organization, President of the Ohio Municipal Attorneys Association, Chairman of the Stark County Justice Center Committee, member of the Stark County Bar, the Ohio Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In addition to being a member of a host of community organizations, he was President of the Canton Chapter of AHEPA, President of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and a member of the Archdiocesan Council of North and South America. As a Law Director and as a judge, his professional passion was always to resolve human conflicts absent the coercive process of litigation. In 1996, with the support of all the judges of the Common Pleas Court, he established the court mediation program, which became the benchmark in the State of Ohio. With the help and assistance of many local organizations, he was responsible for creating the Community Mediation Center of Stark County, which is now known as the Coleman Mediation Services. During his retirement years, the only legal work he performed was handling mediation cases. Passionate about giving back to his community, Judge Klide spent his retirement years volunteering for various organizations five days a week until very recently. His curiosity, sense of adventure and love of humanity led him and his wife Sophie to explore many countries around the world . In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved brother, William E. Klide. He is survived by his loving wife Sophie Klide, two daughters, Melissa (Herb) Hedden and Jennifer A. Klide, grandchildren, Andrew and Alexandra Hedden, two sisters, Angie Anastas and Ann Cazantzes and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Thursday, October 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4705 Fairhaven NW, Canton, Ohio. Trisagion Service to be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 7, at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity with Rev. Dr. Daniel Rogich officiating. Additional visitation hours will be held at 10 a.m. prior to funeral services. Internment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Habitat for Humanity, 1400 Raff Rd. S W, Canton, Ohio 44710 or to the Salvation Army, 420 Market Avenue S outh, Canton, Ohio 44702.