Ed Kalail, former director of communications for General Tire & Rubber Co., has died at the age of 87.
Kalail started with General Tire as editor of the Akron, Ohio-based company's internal newspaper. He was promoted to manager of public relations and then became assistant to General Tire President M.G. O'Neil, before assuming the communications director role. Among other duties, he was responsible for coordinating General Tire's dealer meetings and acted as the firm's spokesman when dealing with local, regional and trade media.
Throughout his life, Kalail volunteered with a number of organizations in the Akron area, including the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame. For more than 20 years, he also worked in the press office for all golf tournaments held at Firestone Country Club.
Preceded by his son, Jeff, and his brother, Fred, Kalail is survived by his wife of 65 years, Catherine, plus daughters, sons, grandchildren and other relatives.
A mass of Christian burial will take place on Sept. 30 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Copley, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kalail's memory to the Akron Civic Theater, 182 South Main St., Akron, Ohio 44308 or online at akroncivic.com.
