Dr. Claudio Gallo-Godoy

It is with profound peace and enduring love that we announce the passing of Dr. Claudio Gallo-Godoy, who passed away comfortably at his home, surrounded by the quiet comforts of the life he built. He was 85 years old. Dr. Gallo was born in León, Nicaragua. A man of remarkable intellect and gentle grace. Claudio dedicated his professional life to the intricate art of vascular and general surgery. He spent decades navigating the delicate pathways of the human body, restoring health to many with the hand that was as steady as it was kind. To his colleagues, he was a pillar of wisdom; to his patients, he was a source of hope. Beyond the sterile walls of the operating room, Claudio was an avid photographer who possessed the rare gift of knowing exactly when to stay still and capture a moment of light. Whether he was framing a sweeping landscape or a candid smile, his photographs were a testament of how he lived: with focus, patience, and a deep appreciation for the inherent grace of life. Above all his accolades, Claudio's greatest masterpiece was his family. He was a man of quiet strength and boundless warmth, offering a brand of wisdom that didn't need many words to be felt. He loved fiercely and was, in return, loved by all that knew him. His legacy is not merely found in the lives he saved or the images he captured; but in the kindness he wove into the everyday lives of those who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Denise Gallo; children, Laura (Michael) Ayerst, Jackie Gallo, Kenneth (Jennifer) Gallo, Nicole (RJ) Rivera, and Kristina (Zac) Wilson; grandchildren, Daniel (Elizabeth), Marisa, Sean, Rachel, James, Emma, Michaela, Julian, Gabriel and Elijah; great-grandchildren Benjamin, Thomas, and a baby boy expected mid-February; sister, Myrna Grillo; brother, Benjamin “Mincho” Gallo-Godoy; and his nieces, Alicia (Tom) Larkins, Lucia Grillo, and Maria Jose Grillo; and their loving children and family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Rosa Margarita “Mamita” Gallo-Godoy, and his brother-in-law Jose Grillo. The family will receive friends to celebrate Dr. Gallo’s life from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, Ohio 44060. A funeral Mass in his memory will be held 10 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2026, at Our Lady of Peace Parish, 1200 East 21st St., Ashtabula, OH 44004 (please meet at the church). Interment will be in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, North Kingsville. Please offer condolences at www.brunners.com.

Dr. Claudio Gallo-Godoy

March 12, 1940 - January 24, 2026