TRUMBULL COUNTY Bar association honors deceased

The late attorneys were remembered for their dedication to the profession and the community.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Local attorneys have given closing statements on the careers of 10 colleagues who died the past year.
The deceased attorneys were memorialized during the Trumbull County Bar Association's second annual memorial service Thursday in the common pleas courtroom of Judge Andrew Logan.
"These attorneys were our mentors, teachers, guides and friends," said Atty. Thomas B.J. Letson, president of the bar association.
"We appreciate everything they have done for us, and we want to make sure they are always remembered."
A friend or a relative of each gave a brief presentation detailing events of the attorney's life.
Judge Logan noted that the honored attorneys were remembered for their dedication to the profession and the community.
Those speaking also talked about their favorite memories of their friends.
Personal tributes
Atty. Thomas C.B. Letson noted that Melvin J. Woodford, who died Sept. 21, was dedicated to his church, family and community but was best-known for his "playful and adventurous side."
"He is remembered by some for having raced a golf cart at a bar outing and rolling it, his cart partner and six very heavy batteries across the fairway," T.C.B. Letson said with a laugh.
Atty. John Masternick spoke of his friend Atty. L. Steven Robinson Sr., who died Jan. 29. He noted that he knew Robinson, who served in the city law department for several years, for 46 years but never realized that the former Marine was an American hero.
"One month after he was 17 years old, Steve Robinson joined the Marines, and after basic training was assigned to the Fifth Marine Division," Masternick said. "He participated in four major campaigns [in World War II] in the North and South Pacific with a total of 22 months of combat experience, one of which was the bloodiest campaign of the war, and that was the taking of Iwo Jima."
Masternick said Robinson received numerous military honors, including the Purple Heart.
During the service, many also noted that Atty. Theodore Ivanchak will be remembered for his sense of humor and Atty. Fully Spain will be remembered for his stylish clothes.