Michael Marini

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Michael Marini, an extraordinary husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, Godfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, his body finally surrendered.

Michael (Mike) is survived by Claudia (Klocek), his “sweetheart” and wife of 55 years. They met at a party on May 7, 1965, when he convinced her to take a ride with him in his car. He celebrated the anniversary of that meeting every year with a bouquet of flowers for Claudia. They shared an incredible life, full of love and hard work to provide opportunities for their three children, Lora (Kraig Baker), Tina (Keith Springs), and Mario (Molly Gallogly). In retirement, he found immense joy by spending time with his granddaughters, Olivia Dovin and Erica Dovin.

Mike was born in 1945 in Forli del Sannio, a small town in the province of Molise in Italy. In Italy, he filled his time with school, kicking a homemade “soccer” ball with friends, and working as an apprentice tailor. He loved to share stories of life in the Old Country, among them, recounting the time he served as an altar boy with two dead pigeons in his pockets. After mass, he took the pigeons home to his sister Maria, and she cooked them for dinner.

His family immigrated to Cleveland during the 1950s, with Mike arriving last, escorting his mother and two siblings in 1960. As the oldest male of the family during that trip, he prided himself on having the responsibility of carrying the family savings (about $2,000) to purchase the tickets, as well as smuggling a salami in his sleeve onto the boat. They arrived on February 6 that year, a date he always remembered with a phone call to his sister Vincenza.

The Marini family lived in an Italian neighborhood on the near west side of Cleveland and attended St. Rocco Church, where Mike attended school, learned to speak English, and met his dear friend Tony Armagno. He graduated from West Technical High School in 1966. Tony moved back to Italy, and they communicated by letters and calls for more than 60 years. Tony called Mike two days before his death for one final goodbye.

Mike was the final surviving member of his family, having been preceded in death by his father Luigi, mother Antonietta (Giuliani), sisters Maria and Vincenza, and brothers Gino and Gabriel. They all suffered colon cancer and/or Alzheimer’s disease, and now welcome him to Heaven free of the diseases that stole their bodies and minds.

Mike and Claudia raised their family in Cleveland and Parma and moved to North Ridgeville in 2000. Early in their marriage, Mike worked for his brothers’ cement businesses during the summers. After a few years and two daughters, he needed year-round work and joined Republic Steel as a Millwright. He continued there, through acquisitions to LTV Steel and Mittal, until his retirement in 2009. Throughout his career, he often worked two shifts per day, determined to earn enough money to provide for his family. While he was at the steel mill, he also sold coffee and donuts daily to earn extra money. His family affectionately referred to it as “the coffee shop,” and enjoyed the special gifts it helped fund.

Mike was a survivor and fought for his life on several occasions. He was drafted into the Vietnam war and served in the US Army as a combat medic and paratrooper (82nd, 101st Airborne). He saved the lives of many soldiers and was still affectionally called “Doc” during the reunions he and Claudia attended through the years. Sadly, his time in combat and the lives he couldn’t save left an indelible impression, and he carried PTSD with him through his life.

In 1985, at the age of 40, he mysteriously contracted viral encephalitis and was in a coma for two weeks. The odds of his survival were slim, yet he emerged with little residual damage.

Sometime in the late 1980s, he survived another brush with death during his annual father-son camping trip with Mario. They were joined by friend Chuck Sanfilippo and his son Jimmy and encountered quicksand while hiking. When Mike stepped into the pit and began sinking, he was saved by Chuck’s swift action. While quicksand seems unlikely in northern Ohio, the story of this adventure continues to be told with great delight.

In 2000, at the age of 55, Mike had his first round of colon cancer, a disease familiar to his mother and four siblings. Despite surgery and the removal of most of his colon, cancer returned in 2010. Throughout chemo, he maintained his usual positive attitude, often telling the doctors he would survive, because “I’m a paratrooper.” Cancer returned in 2021, now in his small intestine.

Despite his health issues, Mike had a zest for life and desire to travel the world. Mike and Claudia traveled frequently and visited most states, including cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and annual trips to Seattle to visit Lora, Kraig, and Mario. Their overseas adventures included a grand tour of Italy including a visit to his hometown, a bus trip through Ireland, and a riverboat cruise on the Rhine River through Germany.

At home, they prided themselves on keeping a pristine home and yard, including Mike’s passion for tending to his vegetable garden. They filled their schedules with socializing, dining out, and watching his TV favorites, Indians games and “Everybody Loves Raymond.” They rarely missed opportunities to watch Olivia and Erica in sports, cheer, plays, and other activities.

In 2016, Mike was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a disease suspected and expected by his family. Having watched Mike’s father and four siblings endure the disease, its onset was not a surprise. We were saddened by the confirmation but found some humor in his answers to the Alzheimer’s test, including identifying the image of the volcano as “Mt. Vesuvius.”

Through cancer and Alzheimer’s, Claudia provided steadfast, loving care to keep their lives moving forward with as much consistency as possible. However, in May 2022, as Alzheimer’s symptoms increased, he moved to Kemper House in Strongsville for 24/7 care by professionals. Claudia visited him every other day and saw his face light up with love whenever she greeted him there.

In recent months, Mike suffered a mild stroke, likely due to the blood he was losing from the cancer in his small intestine. He never regained strength, and a fall led to a fractured hip in late December. The Hospice of the Western Reserve provided palliative care for him during his final months.

Through Alzheimer’s and cancer, we knew Mike’s time in this world would end sooner than we wanted. We are overcome with grief, but content in knowing that he fiercely fought for his life and family. Now, we have solace knowing he is free from ailments, and feel his continued love through his spiritual presence.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday, January 3, from 3-7pm, at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home, 20820 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, 44126. Funeral mass on Wednesday, January 4 at 11:30am, at St. Rocco’s Church, 3205 Fulton Road, Cleveland, 44109. Military burial on Wednesday, January 4, at 2pm, at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland.