FAIRFAX, FLORENCE BUNDY (24 Dec. 1907-6 Mar. 1970), a long-time AFRICAN AMERICAN employee of the city's Recreation Dept., who became assistant commissioner of recreation in 1966, was born in Cleveland to George and Florence (Wilson) Bundy. She graduated from the College for Women of Western Reserve University (see CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY). In 1928 she became physical-education director in the city's Div. of Recreation, and following college graduation in 1929, became physical-education director of the Central Recreation Ctr. In 1934 she was appointed playground supervisor in the Central District, becoming superintendent of the Bureau of Recreation Ctrs. in 1944. On 16 Aug. 1953, Fairfax suffered severe injuries in an automobile accident which took the life of her husband, Lawrence E. Fairfax. After 7 months she returned to work, and in May 1954 was appointed superintendent of the new Bureau of Special Activities, which was designed to help "the unattached youngster or independent street club or gang ... find better ways and better places to play" and to help solve the problem of juvenile delinquency by guiding problem youth to appropriate social agencies. She hoped the bureau would be able "to help children to form good social patterns of behavior through recreation." In recognition of her years of devotion to the recreational needs of Cleveland's inner-city youth, the Fairfax Recreation Ctr. was dedicated in her honor in 1959. In 1966, Mayor Ralph Locher appointed her assistant commissioner of recreation, a position she held until her death.
Fairfax was married twice. Her first marriage was to William Wright on 29 June 1929; the second was to Lawrence Fairfax. There were no children from either marriage. Fairfax died in Cleveland and was cremated at Highland Park Cemetery.