Leonard Francis Cifelli

The family of Leonard Francis Cifelli (Lenny) 72, born June 7, 1952 in Conneaut, OH is saddened to announce his unexpected passing from natural causes on February 25, 2025 at University Hospital Geneva Medical Center. Lenny resided in Madison, OH and grew up in Conneaut, OH. Lenny was a bit of a surprise mid-life baby for his parents Leo J. and Julia Ann Toth Cifelli, but he was welcomed and adored and often referred to as the “favorite.”

Lenny was a competitive athlete in football, wrestling and track at Conneaut High School, Class of 1970. Attending Ohio State for a year, he transferred to Wilmington College in Ohio, where he lettered in football and track, majoring in Art from 1971 through 1974. Lenny and his friend Paul Rippa left college for the Great Lakes Merchant Marine to earn money for tuition. Paul signed aboard the Edmond Fitzgerald, intending to work the year. Paul was tragically lost with all the crew when the Edmond Fitzgerald foundered, November 10, 1975. However in 1978, Lenny decided to make the Shipping profession his career eventually becoming a deck officer, pilot and tested for his masters rating and known to be a great shipmate.

Lenny loved his Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns football teams, often having passionate discussions about them with family and friends. Given Lenny’s artistic ability, he had a talent to draw wonderful caricatures of his friends and shipmates, capturing their personality and essence. He loved to make people laugh. Lenny loved a good joke and making others happy. He could have been an entertainer and was lovingly referred to as “Italian Stallion”. Lenny sacrificed a more typical family existence of being home with his family daily. He understood what he elected to do wasn’t easy for his family, but he also realized that as pilot on those ships, he was able to afford a lifestyle for his wife and children that he wanted for them. After retirement from the Great Lakes in 2021, Lenny took up residence in Madison, OH. He enjoyed a simple life, keeping in touch with close friends and family. He adored delicious foods and creating a tasty dish. He took great pride in taking care of his home even feeding the rabbits lettuce and spinach so they would leave his ornamentals alone. He continued to enjoy being a long distance “Pops” to his grandchildren who all live out of state. He kept up on his granddaughters’ activities and often went to his great nephew’s local football games cheering him on.

Lenny is survived and sorely missed by his children; daughters Alyssa Cifelli Odoardi, Elizabeth Harbur, Pam Chaney (Jeff) and son Michael Cifelli. Grandchildren, Brooklyn, Emerson and Graceyn Odoardi, Brielle Harbur, Hannah Mullikin (Jacob), Shannon Chaney, and Audra Chaney and great-grandchildren, Walter, Annie and Malcolm. His brother in law Paul Shellhammer, nieces, nephews and dear friends also survive. He will be missed in all of his loud, Italian greatness!

Preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marcelene (Richard) Markijohn and Joyce Shellhammer; brothers, Leo Cifelli, Jr. (Yvette), Anthony “Buck” (Irene) Cifelli; and nephews Rick Markijohn and Joe Markijohn.

Funeral Mass at Saint Francis Cabrini Church, 729 Mill St., Conneaut, OH at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 22, 2025. Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.