Colleagues And Co-workers Remember Bob Seelie

Bob Seelie reportedly served longer as Lakewood City Council President than anyone in the City’s history. Sadly, Bob passed away on January 7, 2012. He was 55.

Colleagues and co-workers remember Bob as someone who had a knack for being in the right place. 

One of Bob’s favorite right places was at the Lakewood July 4th parade review stand, where for many years, he announced the names of the parade participants as they marched, walked, drove or juggled their way past the stand.

“I always think fondly of Bob emceeing the Fourth of July Parade.  It was a great showcase for his humor and love of Lakewood,” recalls former City of Lakewood Assistant Law Director Mary Haas McGraw. 

“We all forget or never realized what an active individual this man was”, said former City Council colleague Brian Corrigan. “He was a standout football player and played hockey throughout his high school years at St. Edward.”

I recall knowing Bob before we both entered the political arena and can recall getting a backstage pass to the Aug. 26th, 1978 World Series of Rock at old Cleveland Stadium. It was a hot, steamy evening as 100,000 rock fans absorbed the sounds of Eddie Money, Todd Rundgren and Utopia, the Cars and Bob Welch. I made my way underneath the centerfield bleachers in anticipation of the arrival of the featured act, Fleetwood Mac. As the stadium personnel pulled the chains of the clankity metal doorways, the black limousines crept slowly onto the secure bleacher concourse. One by one the limos stopped to unload their precious cargo. A scattering of curious onlookers watched as the limousine drivers, dressed in black tuxedos, each hopped out to unload the band members.  To my surprise, who hops out to open the door for Stevie Nicks…it’s Bob Seelie!!  He looked at me with the big Seelie grin as he opened the limo’s rear door and heavenly Stevie Nicks emerged in a flowing white gown. 

Later I asked, “Damn, Seelie, how did you pull this off?”  

“Hey, a guy’s gotta make a living,” he said with a grin.

Bob Seelie was in the right place that night.

Seelie's life changed dramatically when, in 1982, he was severely injured in a water-skiing accident on Lake Erie.  The accident left him as a paraplegic with limited use of his hands. The accident did not, however, sap his strength or courage.  After nearly a year of recovery, Seelie went to work on a regular schedule and eventually ran for City Council in Lakewood where he soon was elected City Council president by his peers.

“For as much time Bob spent in Council and related committee meetings, he spent 10 times that amount behind the scenes talking to people,” recalls former colleague Brian Corrigan.

In the rough and tumble political world, Seelie's chief weapon was his keen wit.

“What I will remember most about Bob was his ability to break silence or tension in the room with his humor.  Bob always had a line to make you laugh,” said former colleague Ryan Demro.

Seelie had a “dry sense of humor no one could match,” said former colleague and friend Brian Corrigan. 

Bob’s wit and patience served him well as he chaired many contentious City Council meetings, particularly during time of the proposed West End development.

I recall often 75 or more citizens would sign up to speak prior to the start of the regularly scheduled Council meeting and Bob would patiently allow everyone to say their piece.  Whether you supported or opposed the project, everyone agreed that Bob was fair to both sides.  And when tensions mounted, he had a way of injecting humor to defuse the situation. Nobody could have handled the tense atmosphere better than Bob.  Situated in the Council President’s chair during this emotional setting, he was in the right place.

Seelie's election caused the City of Lakewood to seriously address handicapped compliance.  Under the administration of Mayor David Harbarger Council chambers were redesigned to allow handicapped access to the stage area.  The outside entrance of City Hall was also reconfigured to allow for handicapped access.

Seelie made many of us aware of the things we take for granted.  Following a council meeting some members would often go for a sandwich or pizza at a nearby eatery.  In order to have Bob join, colleagues learned which Lakewood businesses were handicapped accessible. 

When the great power outage of August 14, 2003 occurred, Seelie spent the muggy, sticky night in his van because his electrically powered elevator to the upstairs unit of his family home was powerless.  

Former colleague, now State Representative Nickie Antonio remembers, “Knowing no limits, Bob was a great role model for those differently abled. A favorite memory of mine was when we cut the ribbon at Lakewood Park of the new promenade. Bob led the procession down the new walkway, his face beaming as we proceeded to the bottom to view the lake and the Cleveland skyline.” 

Former Council colleague Brian Corrigan remembers, “The most at ease I saw Bob is when he was next to or near the water.  The Lakewood Democratic Club held its annual steak roast in the summer. The event was held at Clifton Beach.  Bob loved those roasts, loved water and really seemed to enjoy being with friends enjoying life.”

Now all Lakewood mourns the loss of Robert Martin Seelie. St. Clement Church was completely full for his January 10th funeral mass conducted by Father Jerome Duke, who had served with Bob as a Lakewood Hospital Board of Trustee.

Seelie is survived by the most important people in his life, his children Kelly (Doug) Pavey, Patrick, his grandchildren Jack and Luke, his lifelong companion Patty (nee Anello), his brothers and sisters, Lincoln Avenue neighbors, St. Clement and St. Edward classmates, close friends, relatives and former colleagues and co-workers. 

We all admired Bob’s strength and grit and that he never complained or used his disability as an excuse. He will be missed.

Bobby my friend, we’re certain you are in the right place.