George Voinovich

SENATOR GEORGE V. VOINOVICH age 79, former Mayor of Cleveland and former Governor of Ohio, died peacefully in his sleep at his longtime Collinwood home on June 12, 2016; beloved husband for 54 years of Janet (nee Allen); loving father of George F. (wife Dina), Betsy (husband Paul Kompier), Peter (wife Sasha Thackaberry) and the late Molly; devoted grandfather of Mary Faith, Veronica, John, Jane, Emily, Carys, Julia, Molly and Spencer; cherished son of the late George S. And Josephine (nee Bernot); dearest brother of Michael (wife Elaine), Victor (wife Patricia), Joanne Indre (husband Robert), Mary Ann Schmitz and the late Paul (wife Christine Schepis); dear uncle and great-uncle of many.

George was born on July 15, 1936 in Cleveland. He was a lifelong resident of Cleveland and a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church formerly Holy Cross Catholic Church. George graduated from Collinwood High School in 1954 and graduated from Ohio University in 1958 where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He also graduated from Ohio State Law School and ran a neighborhood Law Practice. George was the Assistant Attorney General, a State Representative, County Auditor, County Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor, Mayor of Cleveland from 1980-1990, Governor of Ohio from 1992-2000, and a U.S. Senator from 2000-2012.

Senator Voinovich loved fishing, gardening, and swimming. He was a Browns and Buckeyes fan. George cherished spending time with his family, especially his wife, children and grandkids. He sincerely cared about people, loved people and loved to serve the public. George will be remembered most as a genuine man who loved to listen to people. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in George’s memory to the Molly Voinovich Memorial Fund c/o Cleveland Foundation 1422 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115; Catholic Education Endowment Fund 1401 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114 or to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School 175 E. 200th St., Euclid, OH 44119.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Friday, June 17, 2016 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church (Lakeshore Blvd. at E. 200th St.) Euclid, OH at 10 AM. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of George at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. And Rt. 91) WEDNESDAY 2-4 and 5-8 PM and at THE CLEVELAND CITY HALL ROTUNDA THURSDAY 10 AM – 2 PM with a Prayer and Eulogy Service at 2 PM.