Anthony Smeraldi

ANTHONY M. SMERALDI, age 85. Beloved husband of Vivian J. (nee Wiknich) and the late Flora (nee Robb). Cherished father of Mark (fiance Patsy Kilbane), Ria (fiance Ken Prohn), Don (wife Vicki) of California, Jon (wife Ann Marie), and Jeri. He was a very devoted grandfather of Bret, Rick, Lani, Nick, Allison, Caleb, and Joshua. Tony was the loving son of the late Tony and Lena (nee Corrao)and loving brother of Joseph (wife Joan) of Texas and Mary McKown (husband Leland, deceased). He was the dearest uncle, great-uncle, and great-great uncle of many. Dear brother-in-law of Thomas and the late Robert Wiknich. Life-long Clevelander, noted commercial artist and sportsman, Smeraldi passed away May 19 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was president of Allegro Art Studio in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square for more than 30 years, working with local advertising agencies in serving major consumer goods, manufacturing and food industry clients such as Stouffer’s and Durkee Foods. During World War II he served his country leading a team of local draftsmen at the Cleveland Tank Plant in the design and development of military equipment and armored vehicles.A self-described lover of people, wildlife and the outdoors, Smeraldi was a life member and three-time president and trustee of the North Olmsted Sportsmen Club; honorary life member of the League of Ohio Sportsmen; past president, trustee and advisor for the Woods & Waters Club of Northern Ohio; committeeman-at-large of Ducks Unlimited; life member of the National Rifleman’s Association; and past member of the Geauga Bowmen Archery Club.Smeraldi also was very active in the community, serving on the Landmarks Commission of North Olmsted and as a Lay Minister and on the board of stewardship of Ascension Lutheran Church. In addition, he was past director and Man of the Year of the North Olmsted Republican Club and past member of the Kiwanis Club.Born in 1922 on Cleveland’s east side, Smeraldi was a 1940 graduate of East Technical High School and often recalled sharing class time with future Olympian Harrison Dillard. His passion for the fine arts brought him to the Cleveland Institute of Art where he studied under Viktor Schreckengost, and other noted instructors, and graduated in 1944.Smeraldi is survived by his wife Vivian (nee Wiknich) and five children, Mark, Ria, Don, Jon and Jeri, seven grandchildren, Bret, Rick, Lani, Nicholas, Allison, Caleb and Joshua; brother Joseph Smeraldi and sister Mary McKown; nephew Joseph Smeraldi and nieces, Kathy DeJohn, Patricia DeJohn, Barbara Matoney, Jane Smeraldi, Ann Kruger and Carol Gindt.