The Case Western Reserve University community is mourning the loss of faculty member Stephen Ganocy, who died last month. He was 79.
Ganocy was an assistant professor of psychiatry in the School of Medicine and served the university for more than 16 years, including as a research statistician for the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing. He also held a research position, his primary post, at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in the Department of Psychiatry.
In his role at the university, Ganocy was charged with providing support for various research projects, and had a “very strong statistical background,” according to his colleague, Christopher Burant, associate professor in the nursing school.
“He was a very kind person with a good sense of humor,” said Burant, who knew Ganocy for 10 years. “He always had good stories and was very supportive of me. He would help me work through some problems I might have had with statistics. He was especially helpful in areas that were different from my background.”
While working at the university, Ganocy received his PhD in biostatistics at age 60, graduating the year after his daughter received her bachelor’s degree. He also held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from the University of Akron.
Ganocy earned both of his mathematics degrees while simultaneously working at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron, where he worked for 33 years after returning from the U.S. Air Force. He joined the service in 1961, the same year he graduated from Archbishop Hoban High School, and was stationed in Texas and England until he was honorably discharged in 1965.
Through all of his life experiences, Ganocy was known to place his friends and family above all else. He amassed and maintained friendships going back many decades, whether they were his friends from high school, his Air Force brothers, or his numerous trusted colleagues.
Ganocy also deeply cared for his family, and cherished the accomplishments of his daughter and son-in-law, and his grandchildren—whether it was making the honor roll or dancing on stage.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his daughter, Lisa Helene (Lt. Col. Phillip Padden) Ganocy, three grandchildren, a brother, Carl (Regina) Ganocy, three nieces and a nephew.
Read Ganocy’s full obituary. Funeral services were held Nov. 12.
Students who would like support during this time are encouraged to contact University Health and Counseling Services at 216.368.5872. This line is staffed by a counselor 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Faculty and staff can access counseling at any time by calling IMPACT Solutions at 1.800.227.6007.