[Calling hours from 3 to 6 p.m., SUNDAY, 10/11, at Kinnick FH, McClurkin Memorial Chapel in Girard.]

GIRARD - Nicholas J. Panno Sr., 91, passed away Thursday evening, Oct. 8, 2015, at his home with his family by his side.

Nicholas was born May 9, 1924, in Youngstown, a son of the late George and Josephine Cucaro Panno, and was a lifelong area resident.

A graduate of McKim Technical Institute in Akron, and a Registered Sanitarian and a Certified Plumbing Inspector, Nick retired Jan. 31, 1998, from his post as Environmental Health Director / Sanitarian for the City of Girard Health Department, after 34 years of working to protect the public health of his community.

As a career public servant, Nick had seen many changes in his department and in his community. As an exemplary public servant, he helped to bring about many positive changes, and he was a catalyst in the passage of the state law requiring Sanitarians to be registered. He was also instrumental in adopting and implementing many of the Girard city ordinances.

Mr. Panno had been active in many professional associations including the National Environmental Health Association, Ohio Environmental Health Association, the Ohio Public Health Association, and the Ohio Plumbers Association.

Service was a familiar thread throughout Nick's life, stretching well beyond his public health career. Love of God, his country, his family, and his neighbors was instilled in Nick as he grew up in "Angels' Roost," on Youngstown's East side during the Depression. After graduating from East High School, he served a short time in the U.S. Air Force, and then joined the U.S. Army's 86th Infantry Division. He fought in Europe during World War II as part of the Anti-Tank Units of the Ninth and Third Armies, and he served in the Philippines. Nick was a charter member of the Sgambati Catholic War Veterans Association, was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the 86th Blackhawk Division Association.

He also participated in many service and community organizations. Nick was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a Deputy Grand Knight; was a member, former trustee, and vice-president of the ARCO Club; a member of the Men's Democratic Club; past-president of the Liberty-Girard Optimists Club; and was the current president of the Girard Homecoming Association, where he served as Midway chairman for 33 years. He also worked on the Trumbull County AIDS Task Force and the Warren Italian-American Festival Committee.

Nick was a member of St. Rose Church in Girard.

Mr. Panno leaves his wife of 67 years, Loretta Jean DePietro Panno, whom he married Sept. 25, 1948; three children, George (Connie) Panno of Champion, Nicholas Jr. (JoAnn) Panno of Stow, and Debra Panno-Schulz (George) of Cuyahoga Falls; and four grandchildren, Nicholas III, Michael, Nicholas James, and Gina Marie.

Two brothers, James Panno and Anthony Panno, and two sisters, Clara Yannerella and Rose Petruzzi, preceded him in death.

Family and friends may call from 3 to 6 p.m., SUNDAY, Oct. 11, at Kinnick Funeral Home, McClurkin Memorial Chapel, 222 S. State St., Girard.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m., MONDAY, Oct. 12, at the funeral home and will continue at 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Rose Church, 48 E. Main St., Girard.

A committal service with military honors will follow at Girard Union Cemetery.