OBITUARIES

Francis E “Fran” Marinelli, James R. Grover, Margaret Sray

Funeral services for Francis E. “Fran” Marinelli, 83, of Willoughby, will be 7 PM Tuesday, 27, 2021 at DavisApril Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Ave., Willoughby.

Family will receive friends 4-7 PM Tuesday, prior to the service at the funeral home. Social distancing protocols will be enforced and masks are required.

Fran passed away April 21, 2021 in Willoughby. Born November 26, 1937 in Cleveland, he has lived in Lake County since 1966.

Fran was drafted in 1961 to the U.S. Army and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves in 1963, serving 36 years in the military as a counter-intelligence agent and retired with a rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.

He was a 1956 graduate of The Cathedral Latin School and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Sales Management and Marketing from Lake Erie College in 1981. He was a member of the Willoughby-Eastlake School Board from 1984-1993, where he served as President five of those years. He retired from Lakeland Community College as a Tech Prep Coordinator in 2002. In his early years of retirement, he was a substitute teacher in the Eastlake School System.

Fran was an avid golfer and he enjoyed crossword puzzles in his spare time. He was a lover of classical music and jazz, since he played the trumpet. He was a true Cleveland sports fan and especially enjoyed playing second base in baseball.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Elaine (Sanzo) Marinelli; sons, Anthony (Lisa) Marinelli and David Marinelli; grandson, Edward (Nao) Hunt; brother, Joseph (Vicky) Marinelli. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Nina (Buttitta) Marinelli and brothers, Vito and John Marinelli.

Family suggests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Disabled American Veterans, 1240 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114. www.dav.org

www.davisbabcock.com