age 48, born February 3, 1968, passed away November 7, 2016. The role of blogging in the death of journalism is debatable. But if one person helped quicken Northeast Ohio's media transformation, it is George Nemeth. His innovations, including the online community, Brewed Fresh Daily, the Cleveland Social Media Club and the offline civic forum, Meet the Bloggers, niggled, amused and attracted the Cleveland mainstream media for years. And, to many of us who knew George, this was a good thing. Sadly, it is now George's death that has come too quickly. "George was going to volunteer at the polls this Tuesday [November 8]. He was supposed to be in a class Monday morning to learn about the process. He was so excited about this," said his wife, Kathleen Nemeth. George died peacefully in his sleep on November 7, 2016 at his home in San Mateo, California. He was 48 years old. The causes were related to heart issues and diabetes. George Nemeth was a catalyst and pioneer. He modeled how to use online tools as a supplement to in-person engagement. He built, then brought others onto new paths expanding local civic engagement through new media. His blog posts at Brewed Fresh Daily and face-to-face Meet the Blogger sessions with civic and political figures reached thousands of people. The City Club of Cleveland CEO and former WCPN The Sound of Ideas program host, Dan Moulthrop, called George, an occasional guest on the radio show, "ahead of his time". Former Plain Dealer editor Jean Dubail wrote, "He was definitely an iconoclast and we need those [now] more than ever". George was also a lifeline to many people, magnanimous with his time and talent. He helped at times when it was most needed, though he often had no idea. Cleveland writer and author, Peter Chakerian, wrote "I wouldn't have written all the books, or gone into business for myself as an independent communication consultant, if it hadn't been for George. I feel like I owe it all to him. It seems really weird to even think that he's gone". Although some people viewed George as being propelled by dislike, more than anything, he searched for ways to bring us closer to one another. George was about proximity - to the thing itself, whether it was business, politics or people. He rejected mainstream media because he rejected the mediation itself, of news, information and life. This characteristic of being unmediated is what George had in common with many of his innovations, although perhaps none more than how he used blogging. No filters was the fear mainstream journalism had of blogs in the early days. But to rely on the individual blogger who was writing, rather than on a hidden team in between the writer and the publishing, was exactly the point. And that was George, unfiltered, with no filters. Even his most recent innovation, SonicGarageRadio.com, reflected this principle. He described it on his LinkedIn page as, "Kludging together THE COOLEST internet radio of MY VERY OWN. I play THEIR music that YOU AND I LOVE". George's professional work focused on how technology could be used as a means of managing knowledge and collaboration in organizations. With a BA from John Carroll University in Business Administration, George worked with companies including Swagelok and NCS DataCom. He was Chief Innovation Officer for CoolCleveland.com, and later Social Media Strategist at Optiem, an interactive marketing agency in Cleveland, OH. Prior to those roles, George was a Founding Partner at SmartMeetingDesign and Regional Chairman at Ryze, building trust networks by bringing people together both online and at in-person monthly mixers. George loved to teach and talk about social media. He was an instructor at several area schools and led students in self-directed exploration of graphic communication, emphasizing the use of blogs, wikis, and other traditional forms of print and electronic media. He also was a popular speaker and panelist for area groups such as The Web Association, AAF Student Days, Leadership Akron, NEO DMA, PRSA, COSE/NEOSA. He spoke at the nationally recognized Blog World Expo as well as the internationally PICNIC conference in Amsterdam. George co-authored a book with writer, Jack Ricchiuto, on building community by intentionally creating new conversation titled "Instructions from the Cook". Built around questions that have the power to engage people's gifts in ways that matter, the "instructions" are conversations that connect people in new ways, allowing them to collaborate in co-creating the future. George's own civic commitments included serving an 18-month term as a president of the board of directors at ArtsCollinwood. For years now, the organization has successfully stimulated the arts environment in Collinwood and encourages continuing education in the arts by offering a wide variety of cultural activities for residents of all ages. George is survived by his wife, Kathleen, his stepson, Sam, parents George and Judy Nemeth, sister Laura Gran and brother-in-law, Steven Gran, niece Kiera, nephews Aidan, Brennan and Ryan, sister-in-law, Jill, and puppy, Jenny. In lieu of flowers, George would love donations made to Doggie Protective Services, PO Box 1508 Romoland, CA 92585 or online at http://www.dpsrescue.com Calling hours will take place on Friday, November 18, 2016 from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Spear Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Ave, Painesville, OH 44077. A public memorial will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2016 with doors opening at 4:00pm and open mic tributes beginning at 4:30pm, at the Millard Fillmore Presidential Library, 15617 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44110. http://www.spear-mulqueeny.com/