Timothy J. LaGanke

TIMOTHY J. LAGANKE, SR. age 85, beloved husband for 59 years of Mary (nee Waechter); loving father of Timothy J. Jr., (wife Brooke), Michelle (Townsend) Debes (husband Dave) and Nicole Lennon (husband Patrick); devoted grandfather of Lauren Townsend (fiancé Sam Coso), Chad Townsend (Kiersten Smay), Bryce Townsend (Allison Bisker), Kelsey LaGanke, Graham LaGanke and Casey Rose Lennon and great-grandfather of Landon and step-grandfather of Maxwell, Harrison and Baer Frampton; cherished son of the late Gordon and Rose (nee Smith); dearest brother of Thomas (wife Susan) and the late Arlene Taddeo, Gordon (wife Marge deceased) and Joyce; dear uncle, great-uncle and friend of many and a U.S. Army Veteran. 

Born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 31, 1939, Tim graduated with the Class of 1958 from St. Joseph High School. A successful entrepreneur with a mind full of ideas ahead of his time, Tim founded the Lube Stop 10-Minute Oil Change in 1985 and later founded QuickChange in 1995.

With a Halloween birthday, Tim was fascinated with magic and was always up for a party. Timbo the Great, as he referred to himself, was an avid storyteller who filled any room with laughter while always the life of the party.

Tim and his wife, Mary, moved to their family home in Novelty in 1972 where they would raise their children and grandchildren creating many cherished memories. He touched many lives in the community from his days coaching little league baseball to opening his first QuickChange store and office in Chesterland.

Tim made many friendships worldwide through his passion and for penny arcade machines, toy trains, antique automata, sports cars and magic. He loved auto racing and was a member of the Sports Car Club of America.

Tim was affiliated with St. Anselm Catholic Church for over 50 years, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran, member at the Chagrin Valley Athletic Club, Catawba Island Club, and the Pine Lake Trout Club. 

Tim passed away on January 4, 2025 in his home surrounded by his wife and children. The LaGanke family requests that you join them in honoring and celebrating Tim’s life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Tim to Tunnels To Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or online at https://t2t.org/ . 

Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, January 11, 2025 at St. Anselm Catholic Church, 12969 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, Ohio at 10AM. Burial following with Military Honors at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Tim at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) FRIDAY 2-4 AND 5-8 PM.