Taras Szmagala Taras Gregory Szmagala, Sr. was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1933. The son of Ukrainian immigrants Dmytro and Bronislawa Szmagala, Taras (known as “Tary”) grew up immersed in Cleveland’s rich Ukrainian-American community. He graduated from John Marshall High … Read More »
Anda Cook Anda Cook was born in Riga, capitol of Latvia, but when she was 9 years old, left with family to escape the advancing Soviet army. The family expected to return back home after the war, but it was … Read More »
Margaret Lynch Margaret Lynch has served as Executive Director of the Irish American Archives Society since 2008. She had been a founding Board member of the Society since its inception in 1994. As Executive Director, she researches, develops, and presents … Read More »
Paul Burik Paul Burik Paul Burik was born in the city of Budvar – yes, the namesake of Budweiser Beer, in what is now the Czech Republic. He escaped with his father from Czechoslovakia in 1968 after the Soviet invasion. … Read More »
Richard Fleischman Richard Fleischman Born in Cleveland in 1928, Richard Fleischman was encouraged to study architecture at a young age by an uncle who noticed his avid interest in drawing and building models. During his senior year at East Tech … Read More »
Ingrida Bublys Ingrida Bublys Ingrida Bublys, President of IB International Inc., shares 30 years in business development and company representation between the Baltic States and the US and lately has expanded business development to other surrounding countries. IBInternational represents a number … Read More »
Marilyn Madigan Marilyn Madigan Marilyn Madigan is the daughter of the late Jack and Catherine Finn Madigan. She is a lifelong resident of the West Park area of Cleveland. She attended St. Patrick West Park Grade School and is an … Read More »
Judge Ray Pianka “Dla chcacego nic trudnego” is Polish for “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”. Judge Raymond L. Pianka often quoted this Polish phrase when explaining how he was able to accomplish so much for the people of … Read More »
Ralph J. Perk, Jr. Ralph Perk, Jr was born during World War II in Cleveland, Ohio as the eldest son to Lucy (Gagliardi) and Mayor Emeritus Ralph Perk. He has 5 brothers and one sister. He is married to Kelli, … Read More »
Sheila Murphy Crawford Sheila Murphy was born to Ollie and Betty Murphy in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the youngest of four children including her brother, Ollie, and her two sisters, Joan and Maureen. With grandparents from County Cork and West … Read More »