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Revered Scout leader killed in auto crash; wife, 5 Scouts injured
GUSTAVUS
James Potjunas of Vienna, a longtime much-revered Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 101, was killed Saturday morning in a traffic crash in northern Trumbull County.
A rear tire of his 1999 GMC Suburban failed, causing the SUV to go out of control on state Route 11 as he was driving his wife and five Scouts to a camping trip in Ontario, Canada.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Warren Post reported that Potjunas’ wife, Sandra, 61, a front-seat passenger, and the five Scouts, all members of Troop 101, were transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital with nonlife- threatening injuries.
Potjunas, 60, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to Trumbull Memorial Hospital in Warren.
Potjunas’ vehicle was northbound when the right rear tire blew at about 7:15 a.m. The Suburban slid off the left side of the highway and overturned in the median.
Potjunas was transporting the scouts to join older members of Troop 101 who had already spent a week camping and canoeing in Algonquin Provincial Park in northern Ontario, said Atty. Ned Gold of Howland, a member of the Boy Scouts’ Great Trail Council executive board and a close friend of Potjunas’.
“I loved the guy. It’s such a tragedy,” said Gold, whose son, Atty. Greg Gold of Colorado, is a former member of Troop 101.
The troop just erected its own building on property of Blessed Sacrament Church, its sponsor.
“The building was named in Jim’s honor and dedicated on Memorial Day,” the elder Gold said.
“Jim, who was scoutmaster of Troop 101 for 37 years, had the ability to gather great adult leaders around the troop and bring in kids from literally all socioeconomic backgrounds,” he said.
Troop 101 has produced at least 140 Eagle Scouts during Potjunas’ tenure.
“I can’t say enough good about the man. He knew how to guide without taking away the leadership from the boys, where it belongs. He stayed at the scoutmaster position, which is the hardest job in scouting if it is done right. Jim literally lived his life for those boys,” Gold said.
All the passengers in the Suburban were wearing safety belts. Speed and alcohol are not factors, the OSHP said.
Members of Troop 101 will gather at the Jim Potjunas Scout Center on the Blessed Sacrament Campus at noon today where counselors will be available to help with anyone who desires their assistance. Blessed Sacrament is located at 3020 Reeves Road NW, Warren.
Gustavus Township Fire Department, Johnston Township Fire and EMS, Cortland EMS and Kinsman Township Fire and EMS responded to the crash.