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Warren businessman mourned

WARREN – Bill Mottice said his chance to head the Trumbull County Chapter of the American Red Cross came thanks to Robert Cashman, a man, Mottice said, was his trusted adviser.

”I would say he was my mentor, as far as administration and supervision, as an executive, he taught me,” Mottice said. ”I am totally indebted to that man for educational guidance and leadership he gave to me.”

Cashman, of Warren, died Sunday. He was 91.

Mottice was a 30-something when he interviewed with Cashman, the board chairman of the local Red Cross chapter, sometime in the months leading up to 1969. Mottice, originally from Canton, but working then in Alexandria, Va., wanted to come back somewhere close to his hometown to work and Mottice hoped he had done enough to convince Cashman that he deserved the job.

Mottice sold Cashman, whom he described as quiet and soft spoken, but with a strong presence who had much to teach.

”He meant so much,” Mottice said. ”We were a big success and he was one of the key reasons why the Red Cross here was a big success.”

Cashman also served as president on the boards of the United Way of Trumbull County and was a longtime member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation and adviser to The Sisters of the Humility of Mary.

In his work life, Cashman held several positions with General Motors, including director of production control and purchasing and director of quality control. He also worked as manufacturing manager for all of General Motors’ Warren plants and director of all Warren operations, a position he held until he retired in 1980. In 2003, Cashman was elected to the Packard Electric Excellence Hall of Fame.

Bob Sutton, IUE-CWA staff representative, knew Cashman in the 1980s when Cashman held a management position with Packard Electric and Sutton was 1717 shop chairman.

”What I knew of him, he was honest, he was straightforward … I would say he was a good man for Packard Electric, a good man for Trumbull County, the city of Warren and Local 1717,” Sutton said.

Sister Stella Schmid, a Humility of Mary nun who served on the board with Cashman at the old St. Joseph Riverside Hospital, called Cashman an ”exceptional person.”

”He was truly dedicated to Warren – the people of Warren – and making sure they had good quality of care,” said Schmid, the hospital’s director of nursing for 18 years.

Ginny Pasha, president and chief professional officer for the United Way of Trumbull County, said she did not know Cashman personally, but ”his reputation as a gentleman and generous person in our community preceded him.”

”We had appreciated the support of Mr. Cashman for many years,” Pasha said. ”He was a fine gentleman.”

Cashman also was active in and supporter of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish-St. James Church in Warren, Knights of Columbus Council 620, the Warren Ancient Order of Hiberians Sean McBride Division, the Chamber of Commerce and Warren Kiwanis Club.

Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Sinchak and Sons Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial is 10 a.m. Friday in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish-St. James Church, preceded by closing prayers to be recited at 9:20 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

rselak@tribtoday.com

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