Most folks likely knew that Gaetano M. "Guy" Cecchini owned of all of those McDonald's restaurants. At one-time he operated 17 in Stark County, with hundreds of local residents working for him. For many in the community, Cecchini was the person who gave them their first job.

But there was more to him than restaurants and a "degree in Hamburgerology." He earned a reputation as a savvy businessman and a philanthropist who gave back to the community that became his home. Cecchini, 83, died Monday in Florida, where he was being treated for acute leukemia at Moffitt Cancer Center.