John A. Venesile, Ph.D.'s Obituary
John A. Venesile, Ph.D, aged 78, passed peacefully on Feb. 25, 2016 at home in Strongsville, Ohio, surrounded by his family. John is survived by Nina (nee Grande), his loving wife of 56 years. He is also survived by his five children, Chris, Joel (Amber), Jon (Christine), Meredith Spiros (Rick), and Heather, grandchildren Nathan, Paige, Sydney, Zachary, Lauren, Julia, Noah, Joshua, Sophia, Joelle, and Austin. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary (nee Bologna) Venesile of Wellsville, Ohio.
John was born on July 17, 1937 in Wellsville, Ohio, where he began piano lessons after his mother, Mary, scrimped and saved to buy a Steinway piano. He graduated from WHS in 1954. He was an accomplished pianist and clarinetist and earned a scholarship to major in Music Education to attend Ohio University. He became OU's Drum Major in 1957 and graduated in 1958. He began his teaching career in 1958-60 in Lyons, Ohio, where he made lifelong friends with his principal, George Kinsman, and Superintendent, Stanley Schaeffer. It was in Lyons where John and Nina's first son, Chris, was born. His next stop brought them to Northeast Ohio and a job as music director at Independence HS from 1961-68. During this period, he earned a Master's degree in Music Education from Case Western Reserve University, where his advisor was Bennett Reimer. The Venesile's settled in Parma on Stratford Drive. During that time, Joel (1963) and Jon (1967) were born. John accepted a position as Director of Instrumental Music at Rocky River HS in 1968, where he would remain until the fall of 1977. During this tenure, the family grew by two as Meredith and Heather (1971) were born. In addition to serving as chairman of the music department, he also was the band and orchestra conductor and the elementary music director. It was during this time he established a close bond with Bev Briggs who became like family.
John was hired to become a professor of music at Cuyahoga Community College-Western Campus in Parma from 1977-2001. He also was coordinator of music studies and education and taught classes in music and education. In the mid 1980's, John once again returned to Case Western Reserve University to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree. He earned it in 1992, while serving as a teaching assistant and conductor of the symphonic band. Among his advisors were John Kratus and Peter Webster. After he received his doctorate, he served as an adjunct professor at John Carroll University teaching classes in education and music and art in the elementary school until his retirement in 2001. He continued to teach part time until 2005, in retirement, he served as pianist and organist at St. Collete's Catholic Church in Brunswick, Ohio.
Over the course of his career, Venesile was the recipient of numerous excellence in teaching awards, including the 1989 National Teaching Excellence Award. In 1998, he was presented the Alumni Service Award, presented by the School of Music of Ohio University in recognition of significant service, dedication and loyalty to the profession. In 2000, John was inducted into the Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame, an honor he shared in the inaugural year with fellow Upper Ohio Valley native, Dean Martin. The proceeds of the weekend induction fun scholarships for deserving local high school students. The inductees were nominated and selected based on their career success and inspiration to local youth.
Throughout his teaching career, Venesile held to his belief that music education for children and adults alike is as important as reading, writing or arithmetic because of the opportunity for expression that it affords.
Perhaps the most significant challenge he faced was battling Pancreatic Cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2005. He survived multiple surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy and went into remission for 9 years. He once again endured 7 1/2 months of chemotherapy in 2014 and was proclaimed cancer-free. In early 2016 he was diagnosed again. Venesile was a proud member of the Cleveland-area Pancreatic Cancer Network. He gave of his time, knowing that most PC patients do not survive anywhere near the golden 5-year survival rate. He became a shining example of someone who had beaten significant odds to survive longer than 5 years. His team in the annual Pancreatic Cancer 5K and Walk was "The Leader of the Band," which was one of the larger groups to donate time and resources to the cause. The Leader of the Band" was lovingly named by former Rocky River HS band students, Peg and Dean Rankin. He spoke publicly about his courageous battle and inspired others to action for this cause. He will be missed by scores of friends, former colleagues and students, and family from all over the country. John will be interred at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Wellsville, Ohio.
A MEMORIAL VISITATION will be held Sunday from 12:00 PM (NOON) till 4:00 PM at the JARDINE FUNERAL HOME, 15822 Pearl Road, Strongsville 44136. A MEMORIAL MASS will be celebrated Monday, March 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Colette Church, 330 West 130th Street, Brunswick 44212. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to be made to St. Colette Catholic Church 330 W 30th Street, Brunswick 44212 or The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?
