Jack "Babe" Stearn, age 93, of Canton, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2007 in his home with his family at his side. Babe was born March 20, 1913 in Russia. He immigrated to Canton at the age of five with his parents, Gershon and Rebecca Stearn. Babe started out selling papers on the streets of Canton. He worked as an assistant circulation manager for the Canton Repository in the 1930s. During WW II, he served in the United States Coast Guard and received training under boxing immortal and friend Jack Dempsey. Babe spent 42 years in the Canton Police Department, retiring in 1982 with the rank of Lieutenant. Babe was the Director of the Canton Police Boys Club for 28 years, where he positively influenced the lives of many young people in the Canton community. Babe was a boxer with 30 amateur and 2 professional fights and used these skills in the development of boys. During his tenure with the Boys Club, Babe was instrumental in developing the Canton Mighty Mite Baseball Program, the Boys Club summer camp in Sandyville, and the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. The dedication of the J. Babe Stearn Community Center in 1991 was the realization of his long cherished dream. Babe was elected Stark County Sheriff in 1984 serving 2 terms before retiring in 1992. He was a member of Temple Israel, Trinity Lodge No. 710, F.&A.M., Fraternal Order of Police, Moose Club, Buckeye State Sheriff's Association, Negro Old Timers Association, Porky's Oldtimers Club, and his favorite organization, the Canton Ex-Newsboys, where Babe was a charter member, trustee, and past president. Babe was the recipient of many community service awards including Stark County Wall of Fame, Canton Police Officer of the year, Knights of Columbus service award, Governor's Award for Community Action, Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Award, V.F.W.-American Legion Award, Jewish Community Center Award, induction into the Canton Negro Oldtimers Hall of Fame, Guardian Ad Litem-Stark County Juvenile Court, and many others. Babe also served as a captain in many United Way fund campaigns, served on the advisory board of the American Cancer Society, was an Honorary Life Member of the P.T.A. of Ohio, and a member of Canton's first Racial Relations Committee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gershon and Rebecca, brothers Morris and Edward, and sister Goldie Ginfrida. Babe is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Rosalie; son Edward of Canton; daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Lon Haidet of North Canton, Janice and Mitchell Silver of Columbus; granddaughters Amanda Haidet of Columbus, Lauren Haidet of Athens, Ohio, and Leah and Rachael Silver of Columbus; sisters Ida Shantz, Sarah Bohm and Eleanor Sandler all of Florida; sister-in-law Alice Byrne of Massillon. Babe leaves thousands of local citizens whose lives he has touched. His positive influence on the youth of Canton won him the respect, admiration and affection of many in the community. Babe's favorite motto was always, "There are no bad youngsters, and only those without proper guidance can go wrong." Babe loved Canton and its people, and was always proud to call it his home. A memorial service will be conducted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 3:00 PM at Temple Israel with Rabbi John Spitzer officiating, followed by a reception in the Temple Social Hall. A Masonic service will be held at 2:45 PM. Private family interment will be held on Monday at North Lawn Cemetery. Minyan Services will be 5-8:00 PM on Monday at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Canton Ex-Newsboys, P O Box 20124, Canton, OH 44701, and the J. Babe Stearn Community Center, 2628-13th St. SW, Canton, OH 44710. (Arnold 330-456-7291) www.arnoldfuneralhome.com