Medina mourns unexpected death of Print Shop owner

Ken Daluisio hailed for championing community, small businesses

File photo by Tom Rivers: Ken Daluisio is pictured inside The Print Shop in September 2016, when the expanded to the former Bernie’s Laundry at 124-126 E. Center St., Medina. Daluisio won the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Phoenix Award for the ambitious renovation in Medina’s downtown.

By Ginny Kropf and Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Ken Daluisio had just finished another busy day at The Print Shop on Thursday when he turned off his computer at 4:30 p.m. and was eager to head over to State Street Park for a blue’s concert.

Daluisio and his business are the main sponsors of the concerts, which typically bring at least 800 people to Medina.

But Daluisio collapsed from an apparent heart attack. Medina firefighters attempted to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

News spread of Daluisio’s death at age 59, leaving many saddened and in shock. Daluisio worked with many business owners, organizations and authors, producing signs, books and other materials.

He dispensed advice and encouragement, as well as providing a product.

“He was one of my best friends, and this is very hard, not only on me, but the entire community,” said Cindy Robinson, owner of The English Rose Tea Shoppe. “Ken was with us from the beginning of Medina’s comeback. Our sound system downtown was Ken’s idea and he spearheaded its installation. He was always there when you needed things done. He was full of ideas. He was an all-around wonderful man, devoted to his community, and I will miss him.”

It was Daluisio, along with Chris Busch, who came up with the idea of Blue Thursday concerts in State Street Park. The Print Shop was and will continue to be the major sponsor.

“Over many years, Ken and I have collaborated on so many projects, I couldn’t name them all,” Busch said. “He was generous to a fault, inspired and creative in his thinking, and a constant force for good in his community. Many a great project was hatched during one of our many afternoon conversations at his shop. His energy for the community was infectious, and I totally shared his desire to create projects that were meaningful, credible and done with professional perfection. He was one of the best of collaborators. Ken didn’t seek the spotlight. His satisfaction came from seeing the fruits of his labors benefit the community he loved.”

Provided photo: The Print Shop owner Ken Daluisio, center, poses with his right-hand men, Micheal Fuller and Dameon Holtfoth.

“Blue Thursdays was one such collaboration,” Busch continued. “Each week, he was so immensely grateful to see huge crowds of people we managed to attract – often many new to Medina – traveling here and enjoying the community. With everything Ken did, he wanted to showcase Medina in the best possible way. And he did just that, every week with Blue Thursdays and with so many other ventures. He wanted people to come away from their visit to Medina thinking, ‘Wow! What a great town. I’ll be coming back.’ Nothing made him happier.”

Darlene Hartway, Chamber director, posted this message on Facebook: “It is with a heavy heart that the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce announces the passing of Kenny Daluisio of the Print Shop in Medina. He was a long-time member of the Chamber and a beloved person in our community. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

Jim Hancock, chairman of Medina’s Tourism Committee and the Parade of Lights, said Daluisio was a big supporter of the Tourism Committee and efforts to promote Medina.

“He really got behind us and supported our events,” Hancock said. “He was very good at his craft. He made all the banners, posters and flyers for Medina’s events. He had a wonderful business sense. He was a great community member.”

Daluisio first opened The Print Shop in 2004, and in March 2015 he acquired the building which housed Bernie’s Laundry on East Center Street. He then led an ambitious renovation of the site that earned him the Chamber of Commerce’s Phoenix Award in 2016.

When doing renovations for the expansion, Daluisio needed 13 dumpsters to haul out laundry machines and dryers, as well as the old floor, ceiling, partition walls and other debris.

The building was stripped down to four bare walls and then rebuilt with new floor, a roof, electrical system and other upgrades.

The overhauled space allowed Daluisio to add the latest state-of-the art equipment. He was a perfectionist in his field, and dedicated to providing the best and most affordable service to his customers.

Daluisio suffered a heart attack about two weeks before his death and was hospitalized to have stents put in. He was discharged with orders to go home and rest. However, he couldn’t stay from The Print Shop.

Two of Daluisio’s top employees, Micheal Fuller and Dameon Holtfoth, are expected to continue The Print Shop.

The men are in shock, but committed to continuing the business as Daluisio would have wanted.

Ken Daluisio holds a T-shirt with a four-color design that was printed in the basement of The Print Shop. Contractors needed seven dump truck loads to remove all of the debris from the basement before it was turned into usable work space.

Fuller has worked there just shy of 10 years, having started when he was a junior in high school.

“My father took me down there and asked Ken if he would give me a job,” Fuller said. “I swept floors and carried out the garbage, but soon I was answering phone, taking orders and offering to cut paper for customers. The start of my senior year, I missed a week because I wanted to quit and work in The Print Shop. Ken said if I didn’t finish school, he would let me go. I owe him a lot. I knew this was what I wanted to do.

“Ken wasn’t a boss,” Fuller added. “He was more like a dad. At times I wished he was more of a boss, but then I appreciated when he was like a dad, because it showed how much he cared. To him, this wasn’t a business. It was one of his kids.”

Holtfoth has worked there four years and shares the same respect for Daluisio.

“I came from a career in customer service and wanted a change,” Holtfoth said. “Ken drew me right in and taught me along the way. We also became friends outside of work. Mike and I thank the community for their support right now. Ken’s main goal was giving back to his community, and we will do our best to honor that.”

“As this business lives on, it will help to keep Ken living on,” Fuller said. “We will do our best to make him proud for everything he worked for.”

Funeral arrangements are being completed by Bogan and Tuttle Funeral Home.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: A memorial to Ken Daluisio is growing on the counter of The Print Shop on East Center Street, the business Daluisio founded. Flowers, a message from the Hellner family and a portrait painted by local artist Pat Greene of Daluisio looking at something on a wall pay a tribute to a beloved Medina citizen.