Eastlake Celebrates Its Seniors--Tom Daly, May 2010

What could be more fun than growing up right next to Euclid Beach Park? That is how Tom Daly, Jr. spent his youthful days. Most of the time he was barefoot, because he was forever going in and out of Lake Erie. In the early evenings, neighborhood kids and their fathers would get together to play softball or football. It was an every-night occurrence.

Almost all of the rides at the park were operated by someone in the neighborhood who would give the local children a free ride. Back then one didn’t pay to get into Euclid Beach Park. A payment was required to go on each of the amusement park rides. Many of the big companies in the Cleveland area would have their company picnics there. Picnic games were always great fun to watch: water balloon toss, three-legged races, pie eating contests, etc. The park was located by Lake Erie. The ride called Rocket Ships would twirl you out over the water. Ski bowling was ever popular; so were the park’s popcorn balls, candy kisses, ice crème and hotdogs. There was never a charge for parking. It was a wonderful place to grow up. Euclid Beach Park had a beautiful dance floor made for proper ballroom dancing. Lawrence Welk’s orchestra once played there.

Tom Daly, Jr. was born near Beulah Park on June 10, 1928. This was an exit to get to Euclid Beach. He had four sisters. His parents Tom and Cecil (O’Bannion) Daly were cotton pickers from Arkansas. Cecil’s older half-brother, Willis Crain, brought her with him when he settled in this area. Because of his love for Cecil, Tom Daly, Sr., followed and the two were soon wed.

A man in the community named John R. Lewis was a valiant marine and an honorable man. He had received a silver and bronze star and two purple hearts. There were six boys in the neighborhood who wanted to emulate him. One such boy was Tom Daly, Jr. He joined the Marines before he could graduate from Collinwood High School. Mr. Daly got in on the tail end of World War II. He had occupation duties in China. Tom helped to relieve soldiers who had been stationed there for some time. Part of his duties was guarding Japanese prisoners of war.

Once back in the States, Tom attended Miami University of Ohio. He recalls students wearing white buck shoes. Gray pants with sweaters were quite popular. In reminiscing about high school he commented about boys wearing zoot suits. These suits had broad shoulders and the pants were pegged at the ankles. Many were double breasted. Tom never really followed these trends because his finances didn’t allow it.

Tom Daly met his future wife Lois Jean (Halford) while roller skating at the Euclid Beach Park. The couple was wed in 1948 at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. To them were born seven children: Tom III, twins Russell and Robert, Ted, Janice, Donna and Teri. Russell and Donna are now deceased. The other children have all grown and moved out of the community.

Tom became a lineman for The Illuminating Co. After working there for 19 years he tried his hand at working for small air conditioning and heating companies. He then worked for General Electric for 13 years, until they closed the plant. Next he started a business called Daily Workman. He put in gas lines and serviced furnaces and air conditioners.

His family moved to Eastlake in the early 1950s. They moved onto Beachpark Drive into a home which had been built by the Hayward boys. At that time the street was a dead end. Since then, Route 91 has been built and the street now continues to the other side of Route 91.

Tom enjoyed living in Eastlake. It was close to the lake that he had loved as a child. A good friend had their home right along the lake at the end of Willowick Drive. Many hours were spent here enjoying the view and all of its provisions.

For a number of years Tom had played fast pitch softball for a league in Euclid. This involved quality playing. They used a white 12-inch ball called a Hardwood 100. Then the league started playing slow pitch and he lost his interest. Later, he would be an umpire for the Eastlake Little League. This was done at no pay. His boys played on the field located off Erie Road.

He enjoyed taking his family out on boats to fish. Now at age 82, he still enjoys hunting birds. At one time Mr. Daly had a patent for hunting equipment that he had developed. The equipment dealt with a portable field hunting blind. The patent has since expired.

Tom is not a pious man. However for almost 40 years he has been a member of the Free Masons. This group’s beliefs are based on fundamental truths from the Bible. They believe in a life hereafter. They are a fraternity of men with the principle beliefs of making good men better. He has had the honor of being a Knight of the York Cross. They have no lodge in Eastlake.

For a short time Mr. and Mrs. Daly sold maple syrup at the Eastlake Farmer’s Market. This is located in the Captains Stadium parking lot on the west side of Route 91. The profits from these sales were to help the Masons send children with diabetes to summer camp.

Tom would like to see the city of Eastlake become more attractive to lure businesses to come to this area. The city needs to get rid of its many eyesores and dress up the community. He would also like to see more entertainment brought to the Captains Stadium, and a way to give residents access to the lake other than by boat.

This article is brought to you by the Eastlake Historical Society. If you are 80 years old or more and have lived in the City of Eastlake for at least 50 years, please contact us through Eastlake City Hall.

EASTLAKE CELEBRATES ITS SENIORS