| William Francis Ahern Jr. |
William Francis Ahern Jr. died Jan. 12, 2000, at his home in Huron, Ohio. Born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, he lived his entire adult life in
Akron. Mr. Ahern owned and operated Flowerland from 1941 to 1958, and then was reunited with the family business, Ahern's Florist, in the
mid 1950s. Ahern's Florist was founded in 1914 by his father, Frank Ahern. Ahern's, Inc., is now owned by son Michael, and operated by
Michael and daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Ahern, and their son Sean. Mr. Ahern was a pioneer in his industry, growing and shipping flowers in
Florida from Marlin Shell Co. He was a charter member of the 10 Group, a national florists' association, past president of Downtown Kiwanis
Club, past president of Unit 4-F of FTD, frequent speaker at tri-state Florists Associations, and was a member of St. Hilary Catholic Church.
Preceded in death by parents, William F. (Frank) and Emma Cornille Ahern; brother, Joseph B. Ahern; sister, Flora Goggin; son, Kerry W.
Ahern; infant daughter, Kathleen; and infant grandson, Timothy F., he is survived by wife of 59 years, Gertrude C.; daughter, Patricia L. Ahern
of North Royalton; daughter and son-in-law, Janice M. Ahern and John N. Patterson of Santa Fe, N.M.; sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen
F. and Lynne Foltz Ahern of Toledo, Michael W. and Mary Ellen Mosher Ahern of Richfield; daughter-in-law, Francie and husband, Patrick
Riley, of Birmingham, Ala.; grandchildren, Sean (Colleen) Ahern, Kevin (Lorene) Ahern; Meghan Ahern, Beth Ahern, Dan Ahern, and Natalie
Ahern; great-grandchildren, Emily, Brendan, and Erin Ahern; sister, Mary Louise (William A.) Hilkert; brother-in-law, Walter H. (Geraldine)
Cahill Jr.; sisters-in-law, Louise M. Cahill and Mary E. McCourt; many loved nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30
a.m. Monday at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market St., with Fr. Gordon Yahner officiating. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends
may call at the Billow Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Sunday, 4 to 7 p.m. |
| The Beacon Journal 17 January 2000 |
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