Community Hero 2010: Haraz Ghanbari, kept down-on-luck Marine from anonymous grave

[cali]

Published: Wednesday, December 29, 2010, 10:00 PM


CLEVELAND, Ohio --The news was tragic, but then one person cared, really cared, and became a hero's hero of sorts.

On Nov. 7, 2009, four people were killed in a fire at a boarding house on West 32nd Street. Neighbors credited Ray Vivier with alerting his fellow tenants, enabling five to escape, before he fell victim to the blaze and later died. Investigators determined the fire was caused by arson and three Cleveland men were subsequently charged and convicted in connection with it.

Initially, nobody claimed the body of Vivier, who had been long estranged from his family, and was just getting back on his feet after a term of homelessness.

Haraz Ghanbari heard about Vivier's death from Ernie Fesco, Ghanbari's best friend from their days at Kent State University. Fesco and his wife, Jody, had befriended Vivier while volunteering at a local soup kitchen, and invited him to their wedding.

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http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/12/community_hero_2010_haraz_ghan.html