Calvin W. Winebrenner

Calvin W. Winebrenner

Our long time and dear, sweet friend, Calvin Winebrenner left us on April 14, 2009.

Friends and family may join to celebrate Cal's life from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2009 at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., followed by the funeral at 2 p.m., with Dr. Donard M. Engle officiating. Interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.

Calvin was born on December 27, 1931. He grew up in Akron and graduated from Buchtel High, as well as Cleveland Art Institute, where he attended on an art scholarship. He was a member of the United States Air Force and while stationed in Greenland he learned to walk long distances in very cold weather, while ignoring the elements. This skill served him well and baffled his friends who could never walk as fast as Cal. Over the years, Cal always worked at his craft, which included great and productive times with the O'Neil's Company, the Canton Repository, the All American Soap Box Derby and even his early artistic ventures at Goman's Gay 90's where he painted body paint on the ladies who danced. Cal always found a way to be an artist, who could smoke a cigar and produce a glorious work of art at the same time. Cal never suffered for his creativity, but rather celebrated and showcased his talents, as he used them to increase the joy and beauty in the lives of others.

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Beatrice Winebrenner. He also was preceded by several dear and loving friends who were awaiting Cal's arrival in heaven, so that he can show them how to add some color and mystery to his new digs. At the time Cal left us, he was with loving friends and listening to Beethoven while he awaited his next adventure.

Cal lived a life that was defined by his immense creativity. He was an artist and a friend and beyond any other measure, he was a lover of mystery. His art often contained secret messages which were hidden within the work. He had an extraordinary passion for mystery and teased everyone he knew with his passion for beauty and life, as well as mystery and adventure. He went everywhere and no where. While he mostly lived in Akron, Ohio, he also managed to maintain friendships with those who loved him all over the country. He loved to travel to Canada with his dear friends and he flew to meet old friends in Las Vegas when he was able. Cal was creative, passionate, loving and beyond anything else, Calvin Winebrenner was an enigma. The more you knew Cal, the less you knew. The more you loved Cal, the greater the reward for just being around one who was so talented, intense and exhausting. If you could keep up with our friend, then you were doing well.

Cal is survived by a "family of friends" as well cousins, Gene Gardner and Marilyn Bowers Brocco. Cal's family of friends know that our lives will be less colorful and less fun until we see him again. Cal's family of friends and those left with a lesser life because of our loss include his dear Connie Lee Ross, Frank Enright, the All American Soap Box Derby Crew, including Jeff Iula, Les Carney and the "Poof Party" crew from O'Neil's, the "Bender's Bar Flies", (BBF) including Joe Fedevich, (and Joe's extended family which Cal adopted), Rose Blakelock (who was initiated to the BBF at the age of 18, in 1968) and Robert Woodford, (BBF Gene Dillion preceded Cal to open a branch in heaven), Pat Neman and Pat's extended family who Cal also adopted as his own, the crew from the Canton Repository, and many others whose lives Cal touched with joy and charm.

Cal is taking with him his favorite wallet, his favorite cigar and some photo's. If you have a photo you would like to have Cal keep with him until we meet again, you are invited to bring it with you on Monday the 20th between 1 and 2 as we celebrate the life and times of our long time friend, Calvin Winebrenner.

(Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)