Aaron S. Fox

Aaron S. (Shnayer) “Lefty” Fox, former owner of a nationally recognized advertising agency and documentary film production company, a political consultant and speech writer for presidential and senatorial candidates, and an adjunct professor of political communication at Baldwin Wallace College, died on March 3, 2024. He was 98 years old.

Mr. Fox graduated from Glenville High School in Cleveland and enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943. He fought on Guam and Iwo Jima with the Third Marine Division. After WWII he attended Western Reserve University, graduating in 1950. He received his Masters Degree in Political Science from Case Western Reserve in 1986, while serving as owner and president of Fox & Associates, an advertising agency with offices in Cleveland, New York and Minneapolis, with major accounts including Sears Roebuck, Revco, Kirby Vacuum, and Finast Supermarkets. The documentary film division with studios and production facilities in Cleveland and New York, won gold medals at the International Film and Television Festival of New York. The agency also won first place nationally for work done for United Way.

In 1959 Mr. Fox brought national attention to Cleveland when he wrote and produced The Adventures of Johnny McQueen, a private eye television show starring the late Carl Mackey, which was produced and broadcast live in the studios of WEWS-TV.

An ardent supporter of Israel, Mr. Fox traveled to Russia and Iran in 1977 to assist refusniks seeking to emigrate to Israel. Mr. Fox was also a long-time member of Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple.

In 1988, Mr. Fox retired and began a second career as a professor at Baldwin Wallace College, fulfilling a life-long desire to teach and where he served as a mentor to many of his students. After retiring from Baldwin Wallace in 2001, Mr. Fox continued to work from his home office as a political media consultant and speech writer for Ohio candidates. He also continued to pursue his passion for writing and wrote one memoir, four novels, and nine screenplays.

On February 28, 2016 at 90 years young, he married the love of his life Ruthanne in a ceremony at Fairmont Temple chapel conducted by Rabbi Nosanchuk. He often said that these last precious years with Ruthie were the happiest of his life.

Mr. Fox was a voracious reader, naturalist, bird watcher, gardener, dog lover, long time supporter of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and an avid horseback rider. He was proud of his military service and served as a member of VFW Post #12067 in Chagrin Falls for many years, often speaking at Memorial Day, and Veteran’s Day events.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Dora Fox and his sister Dena Goodman.

He is survived by his daughter Rebecca Fox-Blair (David), Laura Fox (Jean-Marc Patnoe) and grandchildren, Sophie Fox Blair, David Benjamin Fox Blair, Charles Avery Fox Spencer, and Henry Samuel Fox Spencer and his beloved wife and sweetheart Ruthanne Myers-Fox and bonus daughters Kristi Horner (Ken), Vikki Andeson and Lari Jacobson (Peter), and his dear nephew David Goodman (Barbara Hawley) and great nephew Chandler (Meghan) and great niece Taylor (Faras), as well as many close friends.

Most of all Aaron will be remembered in our hearts as a dedicated father, husband, friend and teacher.

Aaron believed deeply in service to others and supported a myriad of causes throughout his lifetime including the global Jewish community. The family asks that if you are so moved, you may make a donation in his memory to the Jewish Federation of Cleveland or the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Funeral services will be held at Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S Taylor Rd, Cleveland Hts, OH 44118 on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 12 Noon.

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Interment will follow at Mayfield Cemetery, 2749 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland Hts, OH 44106.