Rudolph J. Cirell, 85, World War II Veteran of US Navy

He was born in Lorain on July 25, 1924 and had been a life-long resident of Lorain County. Rudy was a graduate of Lorain High School as a member of the Class of 1942.

He went on to attend Kent State University where he received dual Bachelor of Science Degrees in Commerce and Secondary Education. He later completed additional course studies at Case Western Reserve University.

Mr. Cirell was a World War II Veteran of the United States Navy fulfilling duty assignments as a Hospital Apprentice First Class. He was the recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal, the American Area Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of Mullen-Murray Post # 451 of the V.F.W.

Rudy was most recently employed as a Customer Service Manager for the Nordson Corporation; he retired from that position in 1983 following 15 years of service with the manufacturer. He had previously been employed by the Bendix-Westinghouse Corporation in Elyria. Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit, he was also founder and President of the A- Line Tool Company. His work at that entity led to the award of a United States Patent for a series of diamond-studded industrial tools which he invented. He also operated Cirell’s Greenhouse on Oberlin Avenue for a number of years offering a wide variety of seasonal flowers to the people of greater Lorain.

Mr. Cirell was a 42 year parishioner of the Catholic Church of St. Peter where he volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He also formerly served as the Principal of the church’s Parish School of Religion.

Proud of his ethnicity, Rudy was fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian.

Referred to as Lorain’s Golden Voice by the late Morning Journal reporter Darlene Brown, Rudy was extensively involved in community theater productions throughout the Golden Crescent. He was a familiar cast member and performer at such venues as the Workshop Players of Amherst, the Elyria Summer Theater, Lakewood Little Theater, the Huntington Playhouse, Oberlin College the Greenbriar Theater of Parma Heights, the Lorain Community Hospital Follies, and the Beck Center.

He was most well known for his role of Tevye in the Fiddler on the Roof; he performed that role more than 350 times along the northcoast. He also found his role of Santa Claus in the Greenbriar Theater production of Miracle on 34th Street fulfilling and enjoyable.

Although he had a chance for a life in Hollywood, he voiced no regrets concerning where his life’s path led. He once was quoted as saying “ I love Lorain; I love it because I understand the people. Once they become a friend, they are, indeedm, a friend forever. The people work hard. They’re very realistic. They’ll support you. If you’re good, they’ll back you 110 percent. This is the character of the town.”

Mr. Cirell was a long-time member of the Lorain Kiwanis Club. He also served as Master of Ceremonies for the Lorain International Princess Pageant with co-hostess Joan Lowery for many years.

Regarded as a talented joke teller, Rudy was a gifted painter who specialized in the use of oils and acrylics. In his free time he enjoyed photography, wine making, and cooking. Additional interests included building doll houses for his granddaughters.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Ann (nee DeSilvester), by daughters LeeAnne Failing (husband Michael) of Lorain and Linda Hilmer, 9 granddaughters, one great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents Michael A. and Louise (nee Broglio) Cirell, and by a sister Josephine Miloshoff.

Visitation will be Tuesday Dec. 8th from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway, Lorain. Funeral services will be Wednesday Dec. 9th beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel. His funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. in the Catholic Church of St. Peter, 3501 Oberlin Avenue. The Reverend Charles Henkle, O.F.M. Conv., Parochial Vicar of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery where joint military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post # 30 and V.F.W. Post # 451 both of Lorain

The family encourages memorial contributions to the Workshop Players, 44820 Middle Ridge Road, Amherst, OH 44001.

To leave on-line condolences for the family please visit www.gluvna.net.