CLEVELAND -- Ron Ganim, the championship-winning gymnastics coach at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, passed away at his Broadview Heights home Sunday.
Ganim was 72 years old.
“The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District is mourning the loss of Ron Ganim, the beloved teacher and leader of the gymnastics program for many years in the school district,” the district posted on its website.
“Ron Ganim will be greatly missed by the district, and the collective thoughts and condolences go out to his entire family right now.”
Ganim, known to his athletes and students as “Mr. G.,” led the Brecksville-Broadview Heights gymnastics team to 14 conference championships, and along with his wife of 48 years, Joan, combined to bring the Bees 12 Ohio state titles.
Along with Joan, who currently serves as the Bees’ coach, Ganim found Gymnastics World, an renowned facility in the community.
“If Mr. G could coach you now, he would tell you to hug your family and embrace your life, so we ask that you do just that and remember how Mr. G touched all of our lives!” Gymnastics World posted on its website.
A member of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Gallery of Achievement, Ganim was named the National Gymnastics Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2007.
In 2010, Ganim was honored with the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award by the Ohio High School Gymnastics Coaches Association.
In addition to his duties as a gymnastics coach for the Bees, Ganim was a physical-education teacher throughout the school district.
Ganim is survived by his wife, Joan (Puzder), daughter Maria Schneider (Bill), sons Greg (Carla) and Arthur “A.J.” (Lauren), grandsons Joey, Jimmy, Charlie, Blake and Paul, and granddaughter Maron.
