Sheldon “Shelly” Guren Passes Away
Today we are saddened to announce the passing of Sheldon (“Shelly”) Guren, principal owner of the Towing Company since 1973.
Shelly was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 25, 1924, and passed away peacefully in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on August 16, 2024.
His life is a quintessential American story – the 100-year journey of a boy from a poor but proud upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio to a successful and diverse legal and business career, with a strong commitment to human rights, intellectual thought, and a love of art and culture.
Shelly had hundreds of close friends and personal relationships that ranged from deckhands on the tugs to presidents of the United States.
The “Towing Company,” as it is well-known, spurred many other marine-related businesses, including Admiral Towing and Barge Company, a government tug contractor; Soo Linehandling Services, which handles dock lines ashore for ships transiting through the locks at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan; Runyan Shipyard, Inc., a Pensacola, FL ship repair facility; Tugz International LLC, a tugboat chartering business; Puerto Rico Towing & Barge Co., a harbor towing operation in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and several others.
Shelly graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1942 and Western Reserve University 2-years later. Upon graduation from WRU, he was admitted to Harvard Law School. He became editor of the Harvard Law Review. During his second year at Harvard, Shelly was drafted by the US Army and, after training, was promoted to sergeant and assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Shelly returned to Harvard in 1947 and graduated in 1948. He then returned to Cleveland and joined the law practice of his uncle, Henry S. Gottfried, and that fall, at age 23, he became a partner in the firm Gottfried, Ginsberg, and Guren. The firm grew, and by 1983 included 68 lawyers and 70 non-lawyers, with offices in Cleveland, Columbus, and Miami.
Shelly’s other business ownership interests included Thistledown Raceway, NY Yankees, Cleveland Browns, and Chicago Bulls. In addition, he also had ownership in Cleveland Stadium and a horse breeding farm in Ocala, Florida.
But Shelly was most proud of the Towing Company and, when Towing Company celebrated its 125th year in business earlier this summer, Shelly traveled to Cleveland to participate in the festivities. He enjoyed every minute.
The Great Lakes Towing Company and Great Lakes Shipyard
National Museum of the Great Lakes Second
Wave Capital Campaign Nears Completion
Toledo, OH – The National Museum of the Great Lakes is entering a new chapter as its Second Wave expansion project progresses. With the foundation set and structural build underway, the museum is reaching out to the community for a final push of support. Now is your chance to contribute to the future legacy of this historic institution.
The Second Wave expansion will add 5,000 square feet of new space, allowing the museum to showcase traveling Smithsonian exhibits, introduce new permanent exhibits, and create dedicated spaces for community education.
“By supporting this campaign, donors are actively preserving Great Lakes history, fueling ongoing education, revitalizing our neighborhood, and boosting the economic vitality of our region,” said Kate Fineske, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes.
Donations can be made online at nmgl.org/thesecondwave or by calling the museum at 419-214-5000. Contributions of all sizes are welcome, and donors will receive exclusive Second Wave thank you gifts as a token of appreciation. Donors contributing more than $500 will also be recognized on our donor wall.
“This is the moment to make a lasting impact on our museum and the communities we serve,” said Sara Smith, the Museum’s Director of Institutional Advancement. As we conclude our public campaign, join in this effort and ensure the National Museum of the Great Lakes remains a beacon of pride and inspiration for generations to come. For more information or to make a donation,
The National Museum of the Great Lakes
Detroit’s Detroit River Cruise tickets now on sale to public
Ticket sales for the annual Marine Historical Society of Detroit’s Detroit River Cruise, scheduled for Saturday, September 7, from 1-4 p.m. aboard the the Diamond Jack River Tours boat DIAMOND QUEEN, are now open to the public.
Passengers will have the opportunity to photograph vessels and historic sites along the Detroit River and enjoy a narration by local history expert Ken Borg. The number of passengers will be limited to 100 so there will be lots of room to move about the boat. Tickets are now on sale at MHSD.org. Or pay by check to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit for $28.50 and mailed to MHSD Cruise,1020 Iroquois, Detroit, MI, 48214. If there are any tickets left the day of sailing, they will be sold at the dock for $30.
Marine Historical Society of Detroit
