The Bagnoli's
In Loving Memory of
Lawrence & Brenda Bagnoli
Obituary
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 Hennessy-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.
Brenda J. Bagnoli, 87, passed away August 19, 2026. Brenda was raised in North Industry and was a graduate of Canton South High School. She lived most of her life in Tallmadge.
Brenda was the most soft and caring person you would ever meet. Her love and enthusiasm to see you was always genuine. Her calendars were filled with birthdays, anniversaries, school plays, sporting events, church events, and so much more; all to be there for the people she loved. Her door was always open and her phone was never far. Her smile, laugh, and wit could only make you smile back. Brenda loved her family. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren. There was never a day or conversation where they were not the center of her questions or concern. She would brag about them all whenever she was able. Whenever we would gather at her house, she was just overjoyed to spend those evenings with the people she loved the most.
Brenda was an avid reader, and loved to cross stitch. Brenda enjoyed going to church at the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge. She was an active member of Women’s Fellowship. She was also a member of the Tallmadge Prime Timers and the Silver Sneakers. She loved going to Myrtle Beach with her husband, Larry and would come home and jokingly brag to her family and friends about how good of a tan she got. She loved to go walking, sometimes up to 5 miles a day. She would often walk at the Tallmadge Rec Center with her friends or even just out and about at her home. Brenda was a faithful watcher of “The Young and the Restless”. When she would watch her grandchildren, she would make sure they didn’t change the channel and mess up the recording of “her soaps”. The invention of the digital DVR built into the cable box saved a number of grandkids’ afternoons. Brenda was also a big Ohio State Buckeyes fan and loved watching the games surrounded by family.
Despite her small size she overcame many large challenges in her life. She was an incredibly strong woman and her optimism and love of life will live in our hearts forever. We are happy knowing she is once again reunited with Larry.
Brenda was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; parents, Earl and Evelyn Greenleaf; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Samuel and Viola Bagnoli; and brother-in-law, Richard Barr.
Brenda is survived by her daughters, Meri Beth (Michael) Melink and Julie (Jim) Donovan; grandchildren, Joshua (Kristen Pearson) Melink, James Donovan, Christian (Zihan) Melink, Courtney (Joey Marfy) Donovan, and Kendall Donovan; sister, Annjanette (John) Garber; siste-in-law, Delores Barr; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
Visitation will be 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at the Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave. (On the Historic Tallmadge Circle).
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 27, 2026 at the First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, 85 Heritage Dr. Tallmadge with Rev. Dan Doty officiating.
Per her wishes, a private interment with her family will be at Tallmadge Cemetery.
Our family would like to thank Better Together Home Health & Hospice for their care and love through these last few months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Bagnoli Family Scholarship Fund.
Obituary
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