Patrick J. Carano

Patrick J. Carano died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday morning, June 5, 2015. His death followed a 14 year bout with cancer, a struggle which never slowed his commitment to family and friends, or to the many causes and interests he energetically pursued throughout his life.

Patrick resided in Tallmadge with his much loved and loving wife and friend, Lisa Zeno Carano.  He will forever remain a working force in the lives of his family, which includes sons Justin and Matthew Carano; step-daughters Kelsey and Samantha Kulesza; twin brother Michael Carano and Michael's daughters Sarah and Lisa, who loved Patrick as a second father; his ever-optimistic sister Joan Feaster, brothers Dennis (deceased), David and Thomas, along with all those a part of his extended family, which in many ways includes a host of lifelong friends.

Living in the Summit County area all his life, he never forgot his North Hill roots. In his youth he attended St. Martha's Catholic Grade School, North High School, and Akron University. Patrick formerly worked for and ran programs as an employee of Summit County, the Summit County Port Authority, and retired in 2011 as head of economic development for the City of Tallmadge, OH.

Though no longer religious in outlook, Patrick's enduring and strong sense for social justice derived from the liberation teachings of the Catholic Church. In his twenties, he started St. Martha's Social Committee, later served on the board of the Akron Catholic Commission, and assisted the non-profit Genneserat, Inc. in creating transitional housing for families with children and developing their soup kitchen.

A former member of three labor unions in his early working life (USW, Teamsters Local 348, AFSME), he helped negotiate contracts for his three workplaces, always seeking  a just wage and fair contract for his union brothers and sisters, an expression of his drive for economic justice and a better world.

Politically involved, Patrick participated or ran numerous campaigns for Democratic candidates, including the election of his wife, Lisa, to Tallmadge City Council and Clerk of Cuyahoga Falls and Stow Municipal Courts. His vision was the initial impetus for organizing the Summit County Progressive Democrats, he outlining the group's original structure and purpose.  Upon moving to Tallmadge, Patrick reinvigorated the Tallmadge Democratic Club, guiding it to create many successful events and fundraising successes.  His numerous Voice of the People letters in the Akron Beacon Journal incisively, and often humorously, expressed his convictions. As a part of revitalizing the Civic Theater, Patrick served for many years on its board until health issues prevented his continuing.

Patrick was a resourceful, energetic, hands-on, self-starter who excelled in whatever tasks and challenges he saw necessary or met during his full life.  He pursued everything with an enduring belief in the worth of serving others, the eternal fight for fairness, and, most importantly, the central place of family in all endeavors.  And though life is a bubble on a stream, ephemeral and fragile, in his 61 years Patrick wasted no time, tackling life with all its incongruities and inconsistencies with a self-assured determination and humor that will continue to be remembered and shared by those whom he loved, and those who love him, for countless years to come.  Those who had the pleasure of know him will forever appreciate his giving spirit and his take-no-prisoner way of living daily life.

Special thanks to Dr. Steven Radwany, a lifelong friend, and his staff at Summa Hospice Services, who did so much to make Patrick's last months manageable.  In lieu of flowers, Patrick wishes donations go to the Akron Civic Theatre so that work can continue to preserve this important Akron landmark.

Private memorial service for the family will be held.  As requested by Patrick, there will be no calling hours.