John "Jack" C. Polena

John C. (Jack) Polena, 97, of Kirtland Hills, passed away peacefully at home where his heart desired on January 17, 2025. He was born March 21, 1927 in Warren, Ohio to the late Matthew and Sophia Polena. He lived a full life and enjoyed fishing with his wife, hunting, attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events and making ” To Do Lists”. He was inducted into the Warren Harding Hall of Fame in 2008 for football and served his country in the Army as a sergeant in the 88th Division Occupation Force in Italy in WWII. He attended Grove City College where he met the “love of his life”, Dorothy, and graduated with an accounting degree. He often reflected over his 97 years of life and left us with some final thoughts written in a Legacy Book….”Children are the treasures of society” and “In times of adversity, remember they will end and times will get better”. Jack is survived by his children: Larry (Debbie) Polena, John W. (Cory) Polena, Diane (Bill) Miller, Jim (Jean) Polena and Nancy (Vince) Taddeo; grandchildren, Jennifer White, Matt Polena, Lauren Polena; John Michael (Caroline) Polena, Mark (Jen) Polena, Scott Polena, Erin Polena; Katie Polena, Jimmy (Kari) Polena; Nikki Taddeo, Vincent Taddeo; step-grandchildren, Jason Miller, Michael (Sheila) Miller. In addition he is survived by 8 great grandchildren; 3 step-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Dorothy (Parfitt) Polena, his parents Matthew and Sophia and his 6 siblings. A funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060. In honor of John, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers: Online Donation: https://t2t.org/donate/ Mail: Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 Grove City College (Where he met the “love of his life”): Mail: Grove City College, 100 Campus Drive, Grove City PA 16127. (The donor should indicate on their check: Made in memory of John C. Polena ’50 ) Online Donation: www.giving.gcc.edu select the “give now” tab on the right. Arrangements entrusted to the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, Ohio 44060.

John "Jack" C. Polena

March 21, 1927 - January 17, 2025