2018 Father's Day Contest Entries

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Dads work pretty hard. They put in 40 hours a week on the job and then come home to mow the grass, man the grill and coach their kids’ games. A lot of dads pitch in with housework, do the laundry and rebuild garages, decks and more. Some dad’s even squeeze in time after work to tinker with their vehicles, as this year’s winner of The Vindicator’s Father’s Day Photo Contest, Mike Martinko of Boardman, does with his son, Jack. The photo was taken by Martinko’s fiancee, Brittney Tomko. Brittney received $100 worth of gift certificates from the Mahoning Valley Scrappers for her winning entry. To see other photos we received, go to www.vindy.com and click Father’s Day 2018 Contest photo gallery.
Gunner Tucker, 8, gets “prepped” by dad Scott Tucker, who loves to coach, according to wife and mom Sarah Tucker, who sent in the entry.

Gunner Tucker, 8, gets “prepped” by dad Scott Tucker, who loves to coach, according to wife and mom Sarah Tucker, who sent in the entry.


Every father could use a little help at times, as Scott Thompson found out when his son Jaxon, 3 1/2, got out his toy drill and put a pencil behind his ear to lend a hand. Wife and mother Liz Thompson sent in the photo.

Every father could use a little help at times, as Scott Thompson found out when his son Jaxon, 3 1/2, got out his toy drill and put a pencil behind his ear to lend a hand. Wife and mother Liz Thompson sent in the photo.


David D. Thompson sometimes gets a hand with cutting the grass from his son, David A. Thompson. Mom Gina Howley submitted the photo.

David D. Thompson sometimes gets a hand with cutting the grass from his son, David A. Thompson. Mom Gina Howley submitted the photo.


Jason Savage does some of his “work” by teaching his children, Paige and Joseph about nature and rock climbing. The photo was submitted by his wife, Maryjo Savage.

Jason Savage does some of his “work” by teaching his children, Paige and Joseph about nature and rock climbing. The photo was submitted by his wife, Maryjo Savage.


Dr. Joseph Rousher enjoys pedaling his bike around Canfield with son, Finn, at his side. Rousher’s wife, Amy, submitted the photo.

Dr. Joseph Rousher enjoys pedaling his bike around Canfield with son, Finn, at his side. Rousher’s wife, Amy, submitted the photo.


Roxy Moss sent in this picture of her husband, David, with their son, Cole. She says it “took us 18 years to finally have a son.”

Roxy Moss sent in this picture of her husband, David, with their son, Cole. She says it “took us 18 years to finally have a son.”


Jake McCracken holds his son, Jonathan McCracken. McCracken served on a submarine, and Jonathan says he always made up for lost time and has never stopped doing his job as a dad even when out to sea.

Jake McCracken holds his son, Jonathan McCracken. McCracken served on a submarine, and Jonathan says he always made up for lost time and has never stopped doing his job as a dad even when out to sea.


At 90 years of age, Marlene Lewis says her father, Edward Lewis Sr. of Campbell, still does home projects.

At 90 years of age, Marlene Lewis says her father, Edward Lewis Sr. of Campbell, still does home projects.


Joe and Sharmon Lesnak of Youngstown sent in this photo of their firstborn, Nathan Lesnak doing a bit of housecleaning with his firstborn son Shalyn offering a helping hand. Nathan and Shalyn live in Christaina, Tenn.

Joe and Sharmon Lesnak of Youngstown sent in this photo of their firstborn, Nathan Lesnak doing a bit of housecleaning with his firstborn son Shalyn offering a helping hand. Nathan and Shalyn live in Christaina, Tenn.


Paul Kopnisky III sent in this photo of his dad, Paul Kopnisky Jr. from Father’s Day 2016. It proved to be his last Father’s Day with his dad, who passed away a month later.

Paul Kopnisky III sent in this photo of his dad, Paul Kopnisky Jr. from Father’s Day 2016. It proved to be his last Father’s Day with his dad, who passed away a month later.


Larry Kollok loves to cut grass and read the newspaper, watch “Law and Order” and “Ghost Hunters” and play the lottery. He also enjoys listening to the radio while doing odd jobs. Ashley Kallok sent in the photo of her dad.

Larry Kollok loves to cut grass and read the newspaper, watch “Law and Order” and “Ghost Hunters” and play the lottery. He also enjoys listening to the radio while doing odd jobs. Ashley Kallok sent in the photo of her dad.


On tailgate duty at a Pittsburgh Steelers game were the Johnsons, Kevin Sr. and Kevin Jr. The photo was sent in my wife and mom Jennifer Johnson.

On tailgate duty at a Pittsburgh Steelers game were the Johnsons, Kevin Sr. and Kevin Jr. The photo was sent in my wife and mom Jennifer Johnson.


Krista Horvath, with the help of daughters Lily and Sidney, snapped this shot of husband, father and veteran Anthony J. Horvath taking a break from a landscaping project at their home in Poland.

Krista Horvath, with the help of daughters Lily and Sidney, snapped this shot of husband, father and veteran Anthony J. Horvath taking a break from a landscaping project at their home in Poland.


Maryjo Savage sent in this photo of herself and her twin, Sharmayne Gay, with their father, John Hahn Sr., at the sisters’ double wedding.

Maryjo Savage sent in this photo of herself and her twin, Sharmayne Gay, with their father, John Hahn Sr., at the sisters’ double wedding.


The father of four boys, Landon, Blake, Mason and Luke, John Hahn Jr. and his family live on a farm in Diamond where they raise alpacas. Here, he and Blake show one of their furry specimens. Two of the boys will show alpacas at the Canfield Fair. Liz Hahn sent in this photo of her son and grandson.

The father of four boys, Landon, Blake, Mason and Luke, John Hahn Jr. and his family live on a farm in Diamond where they raise alpacas. Here, he and Blake show one of their furry specimens. Two of the boys will show alpacas at the Canfield Fair. Liz Hahn sent …


Samantha Guerrieri was 2 when she pitched in to help her father, Vince Guerrieri, fix the dining room table. Samantha is now 6, and her grandmother, Rose Guerrieri, entered the photo for her.

Samantha Guerrieri was 2 when she pitched in to help her father, Vince Guerrieri, fix the dining room table. Samantha is now 6, and her grandmother, Rose Guerrieri, entered the photo for her.


Sometimes being a dad can be a walk in the park – Mill Creek Park. Nathan Grimes takes his daughter, Abby, and son, Nathan M., on treks through the park. Kelly Grimes sent in the photo.

Sometimes being a dad can be a walk in the park – Mill Creek Park. Nathan Grimes takes his daughter, Abby, and son, Nathan M., on treks through the park. Kelly Grimes sent in the photo.


Sharmayne Gay says that husband Michael Gay is “an amazing father and best friend to our four kids.” Here, the couple stand with their oldest son, Bryson, at his graduation from Austintown Fitch High School this year.

Sharmayne Gay says that husband Michael Gay is “an amazing father and best friend to our four kids.” Here, the couple stand with their oldest son, Bryson, at his graduation from Austintown Fitch High School this year.


Joe Garchar sometimes works at keeping the kids, daughter Kaylee Garchar and nephew Nathan Grimes, out of trouble. His mother, Jane Garchar submitted the photo.

Joe Garchar sometimes works at keeping the kids, daughter Kaylee Garchar and nephew Nathan Grimes, out of trouble. His mother, Jane Garchar submitted the photo.


Dad Dan DeLuca is on duty as he walks with daughters Adalynn and Francescay. The photo was snapped by his wife, Amie.

Dad Dan DeLuca is on duty as he walks with daughters Adalynn and Francescay. The photo was snapped by his wife, Amie.


Darcy Salaski sent in this photo of Chris Davis of Dothan, Ala., holding one daughter while blow-drying the other one’s hair. She captioned it “Who says dads can’t do it, too?” The photos was submitted after the deadline, so it was ineligible to win the prize.

Darcy Salaski sent in this photo of Chris Davis of Dothan, Ala., holding one daughter while blow-drying the other one’s hair. She captioned it “Who says dads can’t do it, too?” The photos was submitted after the deadline, so it was ineligible to win the prize.


Heather Craver sent in this photo of her husband, David, and their son, Nate, conferring at a recent baseball game.

Heather Craver sent in this photo of her husband, David, and their son, Nate, conferring at a recent baseball game.


Alaina Keck sent in this picture of her father, Frank Cardon. Alaina says her dad wears “many hats,” including his normal day job as a cemetery superintendent, wine-making, grass-cutting, golfing, dishwasher emptier and football referee, as seen above giving his signature move as he throws a flag on the play.

Alaina Keck sent in this picture of her father, Frank Cardon. Alaina says her dad wears “many hats,” including his normal day job as a cemetery superintendent, wine-making, grass-cutting, golfing, dishwasher emptier and football referee, as seen above giving his signature move as he throws a flag on the play.


Joe Carbon, an assistant basketball coach at Canfield High School, takes his son, future coach Joey Carbon, to the game. Coach Carbon’s mother, Donna Carbon submitted the photo.

Joe Carbon, an assistant basketball coach at Canfield High School, takes his son, future coach Joey Carbon, to the game. Coach Carbon’s mother, Donna Carbon submitted the photo.


Tony Ball III of Hubbard submitted this photo of his father, Tony Jr., at work at Commercial Shearing in the 1970s and said he and his siblings agree that their dad is pointing to heaven. Tony Jr. died in 1976 of pancreatic cancer.

Tony Ball III of Hubbard submitted this photo of his father, Tony Jr., at work at Commercial Shearing in the 1970s and said he and his siblings agree that their dad is pointing to heaven. Tony Jr. died in 1976 of pancreatic cancer.


Brittney Tomko, fiancee of Michael Martinko, came home to find him and his son, Jack, fixing one of Michael’s old trucks and took this snapshot. Today also happens to be Jack’s 9th birthday.

Brittney Tomko, fiancee of Michael Martinko, came home to find him and his son, Jack, fixing one of Michael’s old trucks and took this snapshot. Today also happens to be Jack’s 9th birthday.