Gino Louis Ventresca

July 5, 1938 - November 28, 2016

Gino Louis Ventresca, DDS, and a longtime resident of Strongsville, Ohio, died on November 28, 2016, at the age of 78.

Gino is survived by his wife Florence (nee Fletcher); his children Cheryl Ventresca, Juli Ventresca-Gordon (Jeff), David Ventresca (Denise), and Michael Ventresca (Kim); his beloved grandchildren Nick Brunker (Abbey), Jennifer Brunker, Cameron, Caitlin and Sophia Gordon, Cole and Marissa Ventresca, and Ethan Ventresca; and his great-grandson Nolan Brunker. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Ventresca, his mother Mary (nee Correnti), and his father Toney Ventresca.

Gino was devoted to his family as well as countless patients whose lives he touched as a respected oral surgeon. In 2012 he received the Mighty Oak Award from Southwest General Health Center where he was a member of the Board of Trustees for more than 23 years.

He loved music, especially big band, and played trumpet in The Ohio State University Marching Band (TBDBITL) where he was named Most Inspirational Bandsman 1958. Years later, he picked up his trumpet again as a member of the Strongsville Community Band.

After serving in the Ohio National Guard and the US Navy Reserve, Gino joined the US Army Reserve where he retired as a Colonel.

Gino enjoyed coaching youth baseball, scoring music for local high school marching bands, the occasional trip to Las Vegas, and telling corny jokes. He ended all calls to his family with "Give yourself a big hug and a kiss" and firmly believed "the right thing is always happening."

The family will receive friends at the Busch Funeral Home, 7501 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 4:00 PM until the time of the Memorial Service at 6:00 PM.

Although flowers are appreciated, the family suggests memorial contributions be forwarded to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741-5014, or please visit www.michaeljfox.org.

Gino was a member of the marching band from 1955 through 1958. He played trumpet.