James J. Cerenelli, Sr., Youngstown, Ohio
Jim was born July 29, 1952, in Youngstown, the only son of Josephine F. and James M. Cerenelli.
Find obituaries from your high school
Music soon became his first love, playing saxophone, drums and guitar during his youth. It bloomed into a relationship that would help define his life. Jim polished his musical talents while taking part in several sports at Liberty High School before graduating in 1970. He enrolled briefly at Youngstown State University.
He then began his extraordinary life of service and sacrifice by joining the US Marine Corps at the height of the Vietnam War.
Jim was stationed in Hawaii, at Parris Island and in Washington, DC. He called his military experience the most meaningful and consequential of his formative years.
Upon his honorable discharge, Jim moved to Columbus, where he earned a living as a musician. His love for country and community eventually led him back home to follow in his father's indelible footsteps and join the Liberty Township Police Department.
Jim's tenure saw him fulfill practically every conceivable duty, from patrolman to acting chief. He led the detective bureau, completed FBI training at Quantico, Virginia and was part of the Violent Crimes Task Force. He helped bring justice to countless families, imparted wisdom on a generation of officers and kept his community a safer place, all while upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional work.
Jim's retirement from the police department in 2002 soon led to his next calling of service, he developed the Public Safety program at Trumbull Career and Tech Center from the ground up. It provided him an opportunity to mold and develop young adults into the same caliber of EMTs, firefighters and dispatchers that he embodied. Perhaps even more importantly, it allowed him to personally impact a host of men and women as a leader, mentor and even a father figure. Even years after his second retirement, those men and women credit him for their career paths and successes.
Away from his contributions to the military, law enforcement and education, Jim considered his family the center of his universe. He and his wife, Angie enjoyed 48 years of the strongest, most enduring and complete love that two people could ever hope to share. Their bond gave them two sons, James J., Jr. and Christopher. The pride Jim had in both of them could've only been exceeded by the devotion he had to them. There was simply nothing Jim wouldn't do for his children. Jim adored his two granddaughters, Gianna and Aubrey every bit as much as his children and their bond was as precious as it was deep. Jim also leaves many cousins and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Jim on Monday, June 2, 2025, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m., at St. Rose Catholic Church, 48 Main Street Girard, OH 44420, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church at 11:30 a.m., with military honors immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either Toys for Tots (https://secure.toysfortots.org/), Hospice of The Valley (https://secure.givebsmh.org/site/Donation) or Emmanuel Center in Girard (https://apps.hmhousing.org/donate-now).
Arrangements handled by Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James J. 'Jim' Cerenelli Sr., please visit our floral store.Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Award-winning AP photographer Bob Daugherty captured history with speed and persistence
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Robert A. Daugherty, whose four-decade career with The Associated Press captured history including President Lyndon B. Johnson writing the speech in which he declined reelection, Richard Nixon flashing 'V for Victory' signs before leaving the White House in disgrace and Jimmy Carter clasping hands with Middle East leaders after cementing a peace treaty, has died after a lengthy illness. He was 86. Daugherty, the son of sharecroppers who shined shoes for spare change in his youth, died Monday in Noblesville, Indiana, his wife Stephanie said. He was born Jan. 16, 1939 in a three-room wooden house in rural Kentucky. In a 43-year career, he covered nine presidents, 22 political conventions, the Watergate hearings, the Paris Peace Talks over the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and presidential trips overseas. He also covered dozens of high-stakes sporting events including the Olympic Games, Masters Tournaments, and Kentucky Derby races. J. David Ake, who retired as AP's director of photography, said Daugherty — who went by Bob — also became a 'tack-sharp leader' focused on helping AP photojournalists do their best work. 'His goal was to make everyone who worked with him or for him better,' Ake said. 'Because he understood what it took to make a good frame and get it on the wire, no matter what, he was always there to lend a hand, make a suggestion, or just run interference. And it didn't hurt; he was the kindest man you will ever meet.' Daugherty learned the power of photography early as he distributed a community newspaper to local farmers. He later recalled one of the recipients telling him, 'You know I can't read, but I sure like the pictures.' After the family moved to Marion, Indiana, Daugherty shot pictures for his high school yearbook, which led to a job with the local Marion Chronicle-Tribune. He next worked at the Indianapolis Star, where he met Stephanie Hoppes, a staff writer. They were married on Dec. 7, 1963. With no money to pay for college, Daugherty later said, 'I earned my junior college degree at the Marion Chronicle, bachelor's degree at the Star and master's with The Associated Press.' Although the couple traveled extensively in retirement, Stephanie Daugherty said she never accompanied her husband on his overseas work trips, such as Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972. 'He was very dedicated to doing his best and he didn't want me as a distraction,' she said. Persistence, timing and speed were keys to Daugherty's success in Washington with the AP. Hearing that Johnson was writing a speech on a Saturday in the spring of 1968, Daugherty badgered a press aide until he was let in to shoot a haggard, open-collared LBJ writing the speech declining his party's nomination. Daugherty positioned himself for a straight-on view of Nixon flashing 'V for victory' hand signs at the door to a helicopter on the White House lawn, minutes after becoming the first president to resign in 1974. When Carter grasped the handshake of Israel's Menachem Begin and Egypt's Anwar Sadat after the signing of a 1979 peace treaty between the two countries, Daugherty captured the moment in nearly identical color and black-and-white images. At the time, this required him to use two separate cameras. When Carter visited Kentucky in July 1979, other photographers ditched what was expected to be a routine motorcade to an event at a school. But Daugherty stayed, catching the normally staid Carter seated on top of the presidential limousine to greet well-wishers. He later said that photo was a favorite among all the images he made of U.S. presidents. 'You must stay alert when you're with the president,' Daugherty said. 'You must be prepared.' 'Bob was a legend,' said Pablo Martínez Monsiváis, assistant photo chief for AP's Washington bureau. Asked about an iconic photograph, Daugherty would describe all the planning that went into the shot or simply say, 'I got lucky.' 'If anyone was lucky, it was me who got to work with him,' Monsiváis recalled. Among other awards, Daugherty won the Oliver S. Gramling Award, AP's highest journalism honor, in 1999. In 2009, the White House News Photographers Association presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2015 he was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame by the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He was also a soccer coach and swim-meet official for his son John, said his wife, and in retirement never missed a chance to watch the sun set over the Morse Reservoir, where the couple lived. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Washington Post
Award-winning AP photographer Bob Daugherty captured history with speed and persistence
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Robert A. Daugherty, whose four-decade career with The Associated Press captured history including President Lyndon B. Johnson writing the speech in which he declined reelection, Richard Nixon flashing 'V for Victory' signs before leaving the White House in disgrace and Jimmy Carter clasping hands with Middle East leaders after cementing a peace treaty, has died after a lengthy illness. He was 86. Daugherty, the son of sharecroppers who shined shoes for spare change in his youth, died Monday in Noblesville, Indiana, his wife Stephanie said. He was born Jan. 16, 1939 in a three-room wooden house in rural Kentucky. In a 43-year career, he covered nine presidents, 22 political conventions, the Watergate hearings, the Paris Peace Talks over the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and presidential trips overseas. He also covered dozens of high-stakes sporting events including the Olympic Games, Masters Tournaments, and Kentucky Derby races. J. David Ake, who retired as AP's director of photography, said Daugherty — who went by Bob — also became a 'tack-sharp leader' focused on helping AP photojournalists do their best work. 'His goal was to make everyone who worked with him or for him better,' Ake said. 'Because he understood what it took to make a good frame and get it on the wire, no matter what, he was always there to lend a hand, make a suggestion, or just run interference. And it didn't hurt; he was the kindest man you will ever meet.' Daugherty learned the power of photography early as he distributed a community newspaper to local farmers. He later recalled one of the recipients telling him, 'You know I can't read, but I sure like the pictures.' After the family moved to Marion, Indiana, Daugherty shot pictures for his high school yearbook, which led to a job with the local Marion Chronicle-Tribune. He next worked at the Indianapolis Star, where he met Stephanie Hoppes, a staff writer. They were married on Dec. 7, 1963. With no money to pay for college, Daugherty later said, 'I earned my junior college degree at the Marion Chronicle, bachelor's degree at the Star and master's with The Associated Press.' Although the couple traveled extensively in retirement, Stephanie Daugherty said she never accompanied her husband on his overseas work trips, such as Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972. 'He was very dedicated to doing his best and he didn't want me as a distraction,' she said. Persistence, timing and speed were keys to Daugherty's success in Washington with the AP. Hearing that Johnson was writing a speech on a Saturday in the spring of 1968, Daugherty badgered a press aide until he was let in to shoot a haggard, open-collared LBJ writing the speech declining his party's nomination. Daugherty positioned himself for a straight-on view of Nixon flashing 'V for victory' hand signs at the door to a helicopter on the White House lawn, minutes after becoming the first president to resign in 1974. When Carter grasped the handshake of Israel's Menachem Begin and Egypt's Anwar Sadat after the signing of a 1979 peace treaty between the two countries, Daugherty captured the moment in nearly identical color and black-and-white images. At the time, this required him to use two separate cameras. When Carter visited Kentucky in July 1979, other photographers ditched what was expected to be a routine motorcade to an event at a school. But Daugherty stayed, catching the normally staid Carter seated on top of the presidential limousine to greet well-wishers. He later said that photo was a favorite among all the images he made of U.S. presidents. 'You must stay alert when you're with the president,' Daugherty said. 'You must be prepared.' 'Bob was a legend,' said Pablo Martínez Monsiváis, assistant photo chief for AP's Washington bureau. Asked about an iconic photograph, Daugherty would describe all the planning that went into the shot or simply say, 'I got lucky.' 'If anyone was lucky, it was me who got to work with him,' Monsiváis recalled. Among other awards, Daugherty won the Oliver S. Gramling Award, AP's highest journalism honor, in 1999. In 2009, the White House News Photographers Association presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2015 he was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame by the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He was also a soccer coach and swim-meet official for his son John, said his wife, and in retirement never missed a chance to watch the sun set over the Morse Reservoir, where the couple lived.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Associated Press
Award-winning AP photographer Bob Daugherty captured history with speed and persistence
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Robert A. Daugherty, whose four-decade career with The Associated Press captured history including President Lyndon B. Johnson writing the speech in which he declined reelection, Richard Nixon flashing 'V for Victory' signs before leaving the White House in disgrace and Jimmy Carter clasping hands with Middle East leaders after cementing a peace treaty, has died after a lengthy illness. He was 86. Daugherty, the son of sharecroppers who shined shoes for spare change in his youth, died Monday in Noblesville, Indiana, his wife Stephanie said. He was born Jan. 16, 1939 in a three-room wooden house in rural Kentucky. In a 43-year career, he covered nine presidents, 22 political conventions, the Watergate hearings, the Paris Peace Talks over the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and presidential trips overseas. He also covered dozens of high-stakes sporting events including the Olympic Games, Masters Tournaments, and Kentucky Derby races. J. David Ake, who retired as AP's director of photography, said Daugherty — who went by Bob — also became a 'tack-sharp leader' focused on helping AP photojournalists do their best work. 'His goal was to make everyone who worked with him or for him better,' Ake said. 'Because he understood what it took to make a good frame and get it on the wire, no matter what, he was always there to lend a hand, make a suggestion, or just run interference. And it didn't hurt; he was the kindest man you will ever meet.' Daugherty learned the power of photography early as he distributed a community newspaper to local farmers. He later recalled one of the recipients telling him, 'You know I can't read, but I sure like the pictures.' After the family moved to Marion, Indiana, Daugherty shot pictures for his high school yearbook, which led to a job with the local Marion Chronicle-Tribune. He next worked at the Indianapolis Star, where he met Stephanie Hoppes, a staff writer. They were married on Dec. 7, 1963. With no money to pay for college, Daugherty later said, 'I earned my junior college degree at the Marion Chronicle, bachelor's degree at the Star and master's with The Associated Press.' Although the couple traveled extensively in retirement, Stephanie Daugherty said she never accompanied her husband on his overseas work trips, such as Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972. 'He was very dedicated to doing his best and he didn't want me as a distraction,' she said. Persistence, timing and speed were keys to Daugherty's success in Washington with the AP. Hearing that Johnson was writing a speech on a Saturday in the spring of 1968, Daugherty badgered a press aide until he was let in to shoot a haggard, open-collared LBJ writing the speech declining his party's nomination. Daugherty positioned himself for a straight-on view of Nixon flashing 'V for victory' hand signs at the door to a helicopter on the White House lawn, minutes after becoming the first president to resign in 1974. When Carter grasped the handshake of Israel's Menachem Begin and Egypt's Anwar Sadat after the signing of a 1979 peace treaty between the two countries, Daugherty captured the moment in nearly identical color and black-and-white images. At the time, this required him to use two separate cameras. When Carter visited Kentucky in July 1979, other photographers ditched what was expected to be a routine motorcade to an event at a school. But Daugherty stayed, catching the normally staid Carter seated on top of the presidential limousine to greet well-wishers. He later said that photo was a favorite among all the images he made of U.S. presidents. 'You must stay alert when you're with the president,' Daugherty said. 'You must be prepared.' 'Bob was a legend,' said Pablo Martínez Monsiváis, assistant photo chief for AP's Washington bureau. Asked about an iconic photograph, Daugherty would describe all the planning that went into the shot or simply say, 'I got lucky.' 'If anyone was lucky, it was me who got to work with him,' Monsiváis recalled. Among other awards, Daugherty won the Oliver S. Gramling Award, AP's highest journalism honor, in 1999. In 2009, the White House News Photographers Association presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2015 he was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame by the Indiana Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He was also a soccer coach and swim-meet official for his son John, said his wife, and in retirement never missed a chance to watch the sun set over the Morse Reservoir, where the couple lived.
