Paul Courtney

Paul “Gene” Courtney, 75 of Salem passed away on Monday, July 19, 2010 at Hospice House in Poland. Gene was born in Beloit on August 25, 1934 the son of the late Ralph and Hazel (Hoff) Courtney; he was a graduate of Sebring McKinley High School in the class of 1952. Mr. Courtney was has been involved in the real estate business since 1970 and was the owner/operator of Courtney’s Real Estate and Auction; he was an active member of the former Alliance Board of Realtors, where he served on every board committee, including serving as president in 1976, until the board merged with Canton-Massillon and became Stark County Association of Realtors, which he was involved in creating; Mr. Courtney has been involved in Legislative affairs since 1993, including serving on the National Republican Congressional Committee. In 2000, he was the Ohio Republican of the Year; he is a founding member of the Centralized Real Estate Information Services Multiple Listing Service (CRIS MLS). Gene has been involved in the Ohio Association of Realtors; serving on numerous committees in 2008 he was honored as the Association of Realtors Distinguished Service Award for his service in all aspects of real estate. Additionally he served as chair of the National Association of Realtors Auction Forum and as a founding member of the Real Estate Appraisal Section; in 2009 he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Besides Real Estate Gene was actively involved in Grange, serving in many capacities in the Local, County and State Grange; he served as Mahoning County Deputy, he was the past Ohio State Grange Legislative Agent, he was the current Master of Mahoning County Pomona Grange, a member of Smith Subordinate Grange and a member of the National Grange. Gene was also a member of the Farm Bureau and the Ohio Association of Auctioneers serving on various state wide committees. Survivors include his wife Dixie (McEldowney) Courtney of Salem whom he married on October 13, 1953, his children Teresa (Bruce) Cooper of Houston, TX, Brian (Barbara) Courtney, Greg (Mary) Courtney, Todd (Joann) Courtney and Mark Courtney all of Salem; 17 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and a brother Richard (Jean) Courtney of Alliance. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by an infant brother. A Grange Service will be held Graveside on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Highland Memorial Park in Beloit. Friends may call at the Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 21st from 2-8 Pm with the family present from 6-8 PM. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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