Michael P. Nakon

Michael P. (“Mickey”) Nakon, beloved husband of 69 years of Edith C. (Nee Guinta), father of Mark (Suzanne Sell), Christine Kmiecik (Michael), Matthew (the late Karen), and Cathy Polasky.  Father-in-law to Robin Nakon, and grandfather of 10, passed away early October 15th.  He was preceded in death by his parents William and Marie Nakonechny (Nee Svet), his brother Billy, and sisters Kathleen Padgett and Rosemarie (“Pat”) Manni.

In 1951 Mickey was the Cleveland area Golden Gloves champion as a lightweight, while fighting for the stable of Johnny and Jimmy Avon.  He was noted for his long arms and his ability to deliver a powerful right hand and left hook.  Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a submariner on the USS Odax until his discharge in 1955. Mickey continued boxing while in the Navy, fighting as both a lightweight and welterweight, and ultimately was inducted into the Ohio Boxer’s Hall of Fame.   Upon returning to Cleveland, he attended Fenn College on the GI Bill and later Cleveland John Marshall Law.  Upon his admission to the Ohio Bar in 1963, he worked for the Corporation Trust System until his retirement in 1995.

At the age of 49, not willing to concede to the passage of time, he returned to an activity that he hadn’t participated in since his fighting days.  Setting a goal of competing in what was known at the time as the Revco Cleveland Marathon, he starting running again.  Despite knees that didn’t want to cooperate, he completed the 1981 marathon in a little less than 4 hours.  Once was enough and his future running was limited to shorter routes around the neighborhood with one of his lifetime of dogs.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Mickey’s name be made to either The Karen P. Nakon Breast Cancer Foundation, which financially assists women and families as they go through the difficult period of treatment and recovery, or Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Friends may call at Ripepi Funeral Home, 5762 Pearl Road, Parma Ohio on Friday October 21st from 3pm-7pm.  Mass of Christian Burial Saturday October 22nd at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12700 Pearl Road, Strongsville, Ohio at 11:30am, followed by entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 14609 Brookpark Road.