Massillon honors late soldier Cory Endlich by renaming street in his honor

Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent
Updated ·2 min read
The city of Massillon has approved renaming a street to honor the late U.S. Army Sgt. Cory Endlich, a 2003 graduate of Washington High School. He died June 9, 2007, in Taji, Iraq.
The city of Massillon has approved renaming a street to honor the late U.S. Army Sgt. Cory Endlich, a 2003 graduate of Washington High School. He died June 9, 2007, in Taji, Iraq.

MASSILLON – A street on the city's west side has a new name, honoring a fallen U.S. Army sergeant and lifelong resident.

Massillon City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a resolution for the renaming of Lincoln Park Drive NW to SGT Cory M. Endlich Parkway, as a way to recognize the Army soldier who died June 9, 2007, in Taji, Iraq, from wounds he suffered in enemy fire.

A few members of the Endlich family were present at Monday's council meeting for the vote making the road's name change official.

Endlich was a 2003 graduate of Washington High School. He had been in Iraq about two months before he was killed in action. He was 23.

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The city of Massillon agreed Monday night to rename Lincoln Park Drive NW in honor of the late Army Sgt. Cory Endlich. The street's new name is SGT Cory M. Endlich Parkway.
The city of Massillon agreed Monday night to rename Lincoln Park Drive NW in honor of the late Army Sgt. Cory Endlich. The street's new name is SGT Cory M. Endlich Parkway.

City Councilman Michael Snee, R-Ward 6, who chairs council's Streets and Highways Committee, worked with the mayor's office, fellow Councilman Ed Lewis IV, R-at large, and members of the Endlich family on the effort.

"This is the road that went to his home (while he was growing up), and so it's fitting," said Snee, noting that SGT Cory M. Endlich Parkway runs about 1,000 feet, or two blocks, between 17th Street NW and 19th Street NW.

Kevin Endlich, Cory's brother, said the two enlisted in the Army around the same time, but were not serving together at the time of Cory's death. He said he thinks of his brother on a daily basis.

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"I just miss being with him and spending time with him," Kevin Endlich said.

He said he's appreciative of the work done by city officials, especially Snee, to rename the street for his brother.

Erin Endlich, Kevin's wife, mentioned that the memory of Cory lives on with her family.

"Our family talks about uncle Cory with our girls daily," she said.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon council votes to rename street after Army Sgt. Cory Endlich