Liberty townsfolk rally around steakhouse, family in tragedy


FOR THE HUSK FAMILY

Fundraiser

Jennifer Berry Husk died of cancer Jan. 13. She owned West Fork Roadhouse in Liberty with her husband, Scott, who continues to operate it. The family still faces paying medical bills.

Fundraiser: Jen’s Derby, A Night at the Races, April 18 at West Fork Roadhouse, 3850 Belmont Ave., Liberty. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the event starting at 7. There also will be a silent auction, 50/50 drawing and cash bar and food.

Family fund: Kathy Macchione of Liberty Fire Department set up the Husk Family Fund at 717 Credit Union.

Information: Jim Rodway at 330-509-3254 or June Smallwood at 330-509-3242.

Sponsors: Friends of Liberty Wrestling and Christina’s Garden.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

LIBERTY

Every day, the cycle of life moves forward. For some, it is the beginning. For others, the end.

On Jan. 13, babies were born and lives saved in area hospitals. For Jennifer Berry Husk, that day at St. Joseph Health Center in Warren was her last. The 38-year-old left her husband, Scott, and sons, Camden, 7, and Zaiden, 5, along with her extended family.

Jen Husk lost her life to cancer but left a legacy of love and caring. She and Scott shared a sense of community. As owners of West Fork Roadhouse on Belmont Avenue, they were generous with donations such as gift certificates and food to sports teams and community organizations. They were involved in the township’s Relay for Life event.

Even in death, Jen gave. Her corneas were donated to Cleveland Eye Bank.

Jen’s story is one of strength, courage and spirit. It also demonstrates how powerful person-to-person connections are. Not only did family members rally to support Jen and Scott but the community did as well. In the days before and after her death, and even now, community-minded people helped keep the restaurant open and running.

Jim Rodway, township zoning inspector and code enforcement officer, said, “Jen and Scott contributed to the community ... for us as a community not to support them didn’t make sense.”

Rodway said Jen and Scott donated food and supplies to the township’s Relay for Life and supported many other efforts.

“Jen and Scott are such an industrious couple,” said June Smallwood, township director of parks and special projects.

“Concerned friends and township residents pulled together,” she said. “A network of friends, residents and business people helped out by patronizing the restaurant and helping out there,” she said.

Smallwood credited Hadi A. Hadi, a township businessman, with stepping in when help was needed.

"Jen and I went to [Liberty] high school and YSU together. I’ve known her since grade school,” he said.

Hadi, who owns businesses in the township and the Valley, said his own involvement in the community made him aware of the activity level of the Husks.

Hadi said Jen and Scott were “avid supporters” of sports and school organizations. He said it was “heartwarming” to see how the community stepped up to help Jen and Scott.

Hadi said because of his own business interests, he knew how important it was to keep the restaurant open. Being closed when customers expected the restaurant to be open could have had a long-range adverse effect.

“Local businesses depend on daily revenue,” he said. “I know how hard you work when you’re self-employed.”

Hadi credited the restaurant’s dedicated staff with stepping up to help during the emergency. He made sure orders were placed for the needed food items.

“I handled what I could do. It was my way of helping out,” he said.

Township Fire Chief Mike Durkin said, “I could see what the family was going through. They gave so much to the community; it was only right to help them.”

Durkin described Jen as someone with “strength, diligence and always looking forward.”