02/06/2023

Obituary for Lawrence Bagnoli

Funeral Director, Former Co-Owner, Father-in-Law of Jim Donovan, and Grandfather of James Donovan, all of Donovan Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services

Lawrence Bagnoli, 85, passed away peacefully February 5, 2023. Born in Canton, he lived most of his life in Tallmadge.

Larry was a co-owner and funeral director of Hennesy-Bagnoli funeral home and later the Donovan Bagnoli funeral home for over fifty years. Even though Larry was "semi-retired", he still found ways to be involved in daily operations at the funeral home and help families.

For those who knew and loved Larry, they know that he was a member of more clubs and organizations than we can possibly list. He received numerous awards and accolades over his lifetime of public service. He was most passionate about serving the Tallmadge community and the Tallmadge Schools as a volunteer football coach for over thirty-five years. Of all of the awards he had received, he was most honored to have the Tallmadge High School football stadium named the Larry Bagnoli Stadium in October 2022.

Larry was a husband, father, and grandfather. His family was his greatest joy. He would spend every second he could with them. He took great pride in his grandchildren's accomplishments and would share news about them with anyone he met. Larry loved spending holidays and Sunday dinners with his large Italian family where no family dinner was complete without Larry giving the blessing before dinner and throwing in a corny joke.

He loved to coach, golf, fish, ride on his pontoon, and make his famous spaghetti sauce for the Lion's Club. Larry had a deep faith and love for the Lord and his First Congregational Church of Tallmadge community. He held weekly bible studies at his home for over forty years. His life's purpose was in serving others and serving the Lord.

Larry is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years, Brenda; daughters, Meri Beth (Michael) Melink and Julie (Jim) Donovan; grandchildren, Joshua Melink, James (Katrina) Donovan, Christian (Zihan) Melink, Courtney Donovan, and Kendall Donovan; sister, Delores (Richard) Barr; niece, Beverly (Chuck) Evans; nephew, Gary (Shelley) Callicoat; and many cousins and countless friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Viola Bagnoli

Visitation will be Friday, February 10, 2023 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. Tallmadge, OH

Funeral service will be held Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, 85 Heritage Dr. Tallmadge, OH

Per Larry's wishes, a private interment with his family will be at Tallmadge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Larry Bagnoli Scholarship Fund.