Former Ross Treasurer & Businessman Felix Melaragno Passes Away
Article Presented By Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing…
(Gahanna) – Former Ross County Treasurer and local businessman Felix Melaragno passed away March 20th in Columbus at age 95. Felix served three full terms as county treasurer, but gained his local claim to fame as manager of the Central Center Big Bear Store, where he worked for 35 years.
Melaragno died peacefully at the Kobacker House in Columbus. Felix was born November 2, 1929 in Grandview as the second to youngest child of Giuseppantonio ‘Joe A’ Melaragno and Maria Domenica Appollonio Melaragno. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Cecilia P Cerviano Melaragno. He is survived by his sister Gilda, brother Victor, sons Jeff and Keith, daughter-in-law Michele, son-in-law Jefferson, grandchildren Scott (Jesse Jones) and Tracee (Elliott Keefer) and great-grandchildren Frankie, Luka, Leo, Beckett and Maddy.
Felix was a graduate of Columbus Central High School, where he was Class President and played on the golf team. Felix caddied at many of the premier country clubs and public courses in the city. He worked at several local supermarkets to pay for college. Felix attended The Ohio State University where he was enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). After graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and served as a Radar Operator in Japan shortly after the end of the Korean War.
On September 25, 1954 he married Cecilia Pauline Cerviano, a graduate of St. Francis School of Nursing in Columbus OH. Shortly after, Felix and Cecilia moved to Chillicothe, OH where they raised their two sons and Felix was promoted to the position of Store Manager at the Big Bear Supermarket in Central Center. A long-time and active member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Felix and Cil sent their two boys to the Catholic grade school there and then to Bishop Flaget High School. Their belief in and commitment to Catholic education epitomized their strong faith in God and determination to give their two sons the very best foundation for life.
For 35 years as the Big Bear store manager, Felix displayed the charisma, kindness, leadership and humility that would endear him to countless customers, employees, friends, families, businessmen and clergy. A long-time member of the local Rotary Club and the Tuesday night golf league at the Jaycees golf course, everyone would come to know and appreciate Felix. His reputation and prominence in the county led to him being elected as Ross County Treasurer for three straight four-year terms.
In their late 70’s, Felix and Cil moved to Columbus to be closer to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This huge sacrifice once again demonstrated how much they valued family. They joined St. Matthew the Apostle Church in Gahanna where they often attended daily mass. After Cecilia’s death in 2020, Felix was blessed to move to an apartment at The Forum at Knightsbridge where his sister Gilda resided. For the next four and a half years, brother and sister were inseparable, participating together in many activities including card games, bingo, holiday celebrations, Happy Hours, sing-a-longs and performances.
Felix was a role model, mentor, confidant, friend, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who made a lasting mark in many lives. We miss him so much.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, from 8:30am – 10:30am at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 East Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held following the visitation at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, 807 Havens Corners Road, Gahanna, OH 43230, beginning at 11:00am. Services will conclude with internment at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, OH.
*Article obituary and photo courtesy of Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home*
