Richard W. Gessner

Richard Gessner Richard (Dick) Winfield Gessner, founder of Massillon Cable TV, Inc. died at his home on July 18. Born June 30, 1928, Dick was a 1950 graduate of Bucknell University and a Massillon resident and business owner for more than 50 years. He and Susan (his wife of 67 years) founded Massillon Cable TV (now MCTV) in 1965. Prior to cable TV, Dick worked in radio and television in Philadelphia and New York, including a brief stint as a page at NBC. His first cable TV experience was obtaining franchises in upstate New York. Recognized as a Cable Pioneer, Dick was one of the founders of the Ohio Cable Television Association and served as Chairman of the Community Antenna Television Association. MCTV continues to operate as a family business, now managed by second- and third-generation family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. George and Florence Gessner and his brother William Gessner. He is survived by Susan; his brother James Gessner; his sons Richard (Hyeweon-Lee) Gessner, Jr. and Robert (Nancy) Gessner, and his daughter Elizabeth (Larry) McAllister; granddaughters Suzanne (Troy) Bradshaw, Katherine (Michael) Duplay and Anne McAllister; and great-grandchildren Martha Bradshaw, Ruth Bradshaw and John Bradshaw. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s United Church of Christ (101 Tremont Ave SE, Massillon) at 1:00 PM on Monday, July 23. The family will greet visitors from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family will appreciate memorial contributions to St. John’s UCC or the Massillon Museum Capital Campaign (121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646).