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Kent State shooting survivor and activist Alan Canfora remembered
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: March 4, 2021
One of nine survivors wounded by Ohio National Guard soldiers during the May 4, 1970 Vietnam War protest at Kent State University, former Barberton Democratic Party Chairman Alan Canfora spent decades advocating for causes and candidates whose platforms he believed would help improve the lives of average citizens in Barberton and other communities in Summit County, Ohio, said his sister Roseann “Chic” Canfora.
“Alan was devoted to politics his entire life, fighting to elect candidates whose causes he supported,” said Roseann, chief communications officer for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “His activism started long before the May 4, 1970 National Guard shootings at Kent State and continued long afterward.
“Our father was a city councilman in Barberton and a labor leader, who fought for the rights of workers,” she said. “Even as children, I can remember how I, along with Alan and our younger brother took pleasure in going precinct to precinct to write down our father’s and his opponent’s tallies. We were always so excited to be the ones to deliver the news to our dad that he had won.”
Canfora, who was forever impacted by what took place on the Kent State campus, dedicated much of his life to preserving the memory of those killed and wounded.
On Dec. 20, 2020, Canfora passed away in the presence of his family, following a brief illness at the age of 71.
His death preceded a planned dedication of permanent markers on the sites where the nine wounded students fell during the gunfire, which is expected to take place this year on the KSU campus.
In a press release Kent State University President Todd Diacon said Canfora’s legacy would never fade, just as Canfora never allowed those killed and injured on May 4, 1970 to be forgotten.
“As the President of Kent State University, I join with many others as we mourn the death of Alan Canfora, an individual so linked to our institution," Diacon said in the press release. “Alan was tireless and fearless in his search for the truth of what really happened on May 4, 1970. He made a difference, and he will be missed.”
Barberton Mayor William Judge described Canfora as “an advocate” for social justice and the Democratic process.
“Alan has always been a fixture in the area helping Democratic candidates and being involved,” said Judge. “Alan took on many social justice causes in Barberton and throughout the county.
“He was a behind-the-scenes type of guy. He didn’t run for office, but was there to help officeholders and people that he believed would be good for the community.
“Alan was the type of person you could have a discussion with, and when you didn’t see eye to eye on an issue was willing to agree to disagree. I really respected that about him.
“He recently moved out of Barberton,” said Judge. “His passing was a shock to me.”
Born in Barberton on Feb. 13, 1949, he was the eldest of Anna and Albert Canfora’s four children.
Canfora earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies and a master’s degree in library science from Kent State University.
“Alan was an open-minded person,” said Roseann. “Our parents were both World War II veterans and when Alan started college he was in favor of the Vietnam War.
“His stance changed after he attended the funeral of his childhood friend, Bill Caldwell,” she said. “Ten days later, the Vietnam War escalated into Cambodia, which is what triggered the peaceful protests that ended with the student shootings.
“I was an active protestor along with Alan on the day he was shot. We both witnessed and survived the shooting,” said Roseann.
“As a survivor, Alan was considered an expert on all aspects of the tragedy. He was determined to not only preserve the memory of what took place but also to teach others about the dangers of polarization and the use of excessive force to quell peaceful protests.”
When the university stopped sponsoring the May 4 commemorations in 1975, Canfora joined forces with other survivors and current students to form the May 4 Task Force.
Over the past 45 years, members of the task force achieved a number of goals, including the installation of permanent markers where the four students died, the creation of the May 4 Visitors Center and Walking Tour and the designation of the site as a national historic landmark.
From 1989 until his recent passing, Canfora volunteered as director of the Kent May 4 Center, a nonprofit organization devoted to educating students and others about the events at Kent State.
“The university has now made a formal commitment to embrace its history and commit to honoring May 4 in perpetuity, which might never have happened if not for Alan and the other wounded students and survivors who advocated for it,” said Roseann.
Canfora met his wife, Asya at a May 4 Task Force meeting at Kent State.
“Alan married later in life so both his children are young,” said Roseann. “Our family is so grateful that Alan got to know the joy of being a parent.”
Outside of Kent State, Canfora held several different positions in Summit County, including working for the Summit County Board of Elections and Barberton Municipal Court.
District Two Summit County Council Member John Schmidt worked with Canfora during Schmidt’s tenure as deputy director of the Board of Elections from 2002 to 2005.
“Alan was the district poll worker coordinator for the Board of Elections,” said Schmidt. “Alan was a good Democrat and he wasn’t bashful about letting people know that. We became friends and later worked together on various campaigns.
“He was a great American and his actions helped bring the Vietnam War to an end sooner than it otherwise would have,” said Schmidt. “Beyond that I think everyone who knew him, Republican or Democrat, would agree he was one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. He was very open about sharing the story of the May 4 shootings with other people, especially young people.”
In 2009, Canfora served as chief deputy to then Barberton Clerk of Courts Andy Padrutt.
“I knew Alan for many years prior to my hiring him,” said Padrutt, founder and president of First Class Campaigns. “He was tremendously effective as chief deputy due to his understanding of both the political and governmental side of things.
“Alan was the chairman of the Barberton Democratic Party for many years,” said Padrutt. “What impressed me the most about Alan is that he didn’t just talk about making changes, he rolled up his sleeves every election cycle and got things done.
“He fought hard to get Democrats elected up and down the ballot,” said Padrutt. “Alan will really be missed within the county Democratic community. He’s a great icon and a great friend.”
In 2011, Canfora was appointed director of the Akron Law Library in the Summit County Common Pleas Courthouse, a position he retained until his passing.
In addition to his other work, Canfora provided annual assistance to middle school students competing in national oral history projects.
His personal website and blog, which he managed until his death, contained research, documents and factual information he gathered and continued to pursue throughout his life. Numerous documents, photographs, films, correspondence and investigative materials on his site and in his private collection will be donated to Kent State University at his request and will be maintained in a private collection bearing his name, said Roseann.
Former Kent State University Trustee Michael Solomon has established and endowed a scholarship in Canfora’s name that will honor his life and legacy by supporting future Kent State students active in politics and committed to social justice.
“Alan and I were so close,” said Roseann. “For me, Alan’s death is like losing a twin. I know it’s rare for a sister to have attended grade school, high school and college with her brother, and more––to have been side by side during something as significant as the anti-war movement and the shootings at Kent State.
“Those moments bonded us for life and conjoined us on a 50-year journey, telling the truth of what happened.”
A memorial service will take place in the future once it’s safe for friends and family around the country to travel and gather in a large group.
Canfora is survived by his mother Anna Canfora; brothers Albert Jr. (Sonny) and Mark Canfora; sister Roseann “Chic” Canfora; his wife Asya and their two children Maya and Lev and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
His father former Barberton City Councilman Albert J. Canfora preceded him in death.