Vocational
Gilbert Blumenthal, 42
Died December 24, 2020.
TulsaTech, Broken Arrow, OK
Automotive Skills
Gilbert Maximilian Blumenthal, loving father, son, and brother, passed away December 24, 2020 from Covid 19 and Pneumonia. He was 42 years old. Gil was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on September 5, 1978 to Mark and Brenda Blumenthal.
Gil was tenacious and dedicated to any effort. He and his father enjoyed repairing lawn mowers, motorcycles, and automobiles. Regardless of what failed, Gil and his father would repair it together. These skills proved invaluable when Gil opened his first lawn care business. Additionally, he used this knowledge to assist others with car maintenance problems during his teenage years and beyond.
In his youth, Gil joined the Boy Scouts of America, ultimately attaining the rank of Eagle, scouting’s highest honor, at age 17. Gil earned his Associate’s degree and later, his Bachelor’s degree. He held a Federal Aviation Administration Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics license, allowing him to legally repair any aircraft and aircraft engine, and sign off log books to return the aircraft to airworthiness condition.
He brought his passion for cars and engines to the next generation, teaching high school students automotive skills at Tulsa Tech. He earned his Master Certification from The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence. Gil’s ability, enthusiasm, and genuine concern as an educator was honored in 2018 when he was awarded “Teacher of the Year”, not only for the Broken Arrow campus where he taught, but for the entire Tulsa Tech District, including all seven campuses.
In 2009, Gil became a proud father when his incredible son Graesyn was born. They bonded over a shared love of sports, fishing, dirt bikes, business, and automotive mechanics. Gil shared his passion for working on cars with Graesyn, just as his father before him.
Gil was a member of the masonic fraternity like his father, and was planning on becoming a Shriner at the upcoming Ceremonial.
Gil was preceded in death by grandparents Gilbert Blumenthal, Arthur and Beverly Yellen, and Cecil and Emma Rose. Gil is survived by his son Graesyn Hoss and his son’s mother Nicole Hoss, parents Mark and Brenda Blumenthal, sister Kim (Dan) Balsinger, along with multiple cousins, aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gil’s memory can be made to the Akdar Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund either online at <https://akdarshrine.org/donation-information>; or by mail to: Hospital Transportation Fund, C/O Akdar Shrine Temple, 2808 South Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK, 74129. Donations may also be made in Gil’s memory to Temple Israel at 2004 East 22nd Place, Tulsa, OK, 74114, or online at <https://templetulsa.com/donate>;.
Maureen McNally LaLama, 64
Died February 2, 2021.
Choffin Career and Technical Center, Youngstown, OH
Surgical Technology
Maureen Elizabeth “Mo” McNally LaLama, 64, passed away Tuesday evening, February 2, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital from complications of Covid-19.
Maureen was born November 14, 1956, in Youngstown, the youngest of three children born to the late William and Elizabeth Gustas McNally and she was a lifelong area resident.
Mo was a 1973 graduate of Chaney High School, she then attended Youngstown State University and later graduated from Choffin Career and Technical Center School of Surgical Technology.
Maureen worked for over 25 years as a surgical technician at Northside Hospital and at Beeghly Surgical. Recently, Maureen was sharing her skills, teaching surgical technology at Choffin, which was a job she truly loved.
Maureen was a passionate sports fan, especially of football and hockey. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins had no bigger fan. She enjoyed hosting parties and holiday dinners and sharing her holiday baking always gave her joy.
Everyone was always welcome at her home, where summers were always abuzz with picnics and swimming and where friends were treated like family.
She leaves to cherish her memory three children, Phillip LaLama of Boardman, Kathleen (Eric) Grunenwald of Boardman and William (Jennifer) LaLama of Cumming, Georgia; a grandson, Jackson LaLama, who was the light of her life; a brother, William “Mac” (Martha) McNally of Girard; many extended family members and many friends.
Mo will be truly and sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Besides her parents; a sister, Kathleen “Kat” Denny, preceded her in death.
Mo’s unexpected and untimely death is a tragic loss shared by all who knew her. She was a spirited individual that took friendship seriously and one could always count on Mo having their back.
Family and friends may call from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Monday, February 8, 2021, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown.
Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the funeral home and will continue with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., at St. Brendan Church, 2800 Oakwood Avenue, Youngstown.
Please follow all current social distancing guidelines and health protocols when visiting the family and attending the services and the LaLama family suggests that all attending wear masks or face coverings. To those who cannot attend the visitation or services, or are uncomfortable doing so at this time, please keep Maureen and her family in your prayers.
In lieu of flowers and due to her untimely passing, Mo’s family suggests memorial contributions be made to her family for a college fund for her grandson, Jackson.