MCDONALD SCHOOLS Gym is named for ex-coach; he and others are honored

The three educators have more than 100 years of service to the district.
By MARY SMITH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
McDONALD -- Robert McClary's voice quivered momentarily.
Then the school board member and retired basketball coach told a crowd of more than 50 people at a special board meeting this week that the board's action -- naming the high school gymnasium after him -- surpasses even a statewide honor that he's the only Trumbull County basketball coach to receive.
The high school gymnasium was named after McClary, after the board had named the Roosevelt Elementary media center after William E. Rea and the high school swimming pool after Constance P. Marion in resolutions last May.
Hall of fame inductee
McClary, who was named an inductee to the Ohio High School Boys Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991, was formally honored by the board Monday for his 50 years of service to the district as a student driver's education teacher, head boys basketball coach, a board of education member and board president.
He retired as a teacher and coach in 1978, and served on the school board from 1983 until this year.
McClary, 75, plans to retire from the board at the end of this month. He and his wife, Jean, have two sons, including a high school basketball coach in Mogadore and a Florida physician.
He ranked 37th in the state for career wins as of 2002 and coached for an 11-year stint of 80 percent winning seasons in a row.
"I tell you this tops it," McClary told the group. "You are the ones who made me. I never played a game out there." He added his years at the school have been "a joy ... this is my second home."
Plaques presented
Superintendent Michael Wasser, a McDonald graduate, presented plaques to McClary, Rea and Vicki Gada, a friend of Marion's, on her behalf. He thanked the three educators for a combined total of more than 100 years of service to the district, a comment that drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
Rea, 90, is a former superintendent, principal and teacher who retired from the district in 1974 after 18 years as superintendent.
Rea's wife, the former Emily Matthews, is deceased. He has two sons and nine grandchildren.
Joan Miles, high school National Honor Society adviser, said Rea was everywhere -- the former superintendent could even be found with his sleeves up fixing something.
Rea, who attended the ceremony, said he and about four other teachers worked their day at school and then put in a second shift at the U.S. Steel McDonald Works during World War II.
Marion, who taught girls physical education and seventh- and eighth-grade science at the district, also became guidance counselor for many years. Her dream to start a synchronized swim program called The Royal Swan Club became a reality in 1951, and the program continues today.
She retired in 1982. Marion, 83, lives at the Briarfield Nursing Home, Cortland.
Wasser said the attitude of all three educators that set them apart was: "It was never 'the' kids, it was always 'my' kids and 'our' kids."