Page 30 - November-December-CBA-Report

MEMORIALS
Memorials honor the lives of deceased members of the local Bar. For more information, contact Leyla Shokoohe at (513) 699-1391 or lshokoohe@cincybar.org.
Dan Donnellon
1961 – 2022
Making Dan Donnellon’s life fit into a few paragraphs is not an easy under- taking, but what follows is an attempt at that difficult task. His brothers, Tom, Terry, and Steve, talk about their brother as having been a showman in every aspect of his life, both professional and personal.
Dan sought out opportunities to appear in court. When court appearances were not enough to scratch the itch to perform, Dan would return to the stage as a standup comic. During his college and law school years, Dan earned tuition money by performing as a standup comedian. On more than a few occasions, he shared the bill with nationally known acts at concerts and other venues. On a long ago trip to Lexington, Kentucky to attend a deposition, Dan mentioned to me that he performed as a comic. The juxtapo- sition of the roles of lawyer and comic has kept the memory of that conversation in my mind for these many decades.
Dan’s professional career was defined by his work as a litigator. However, his career also included authoring a well-known book on injunctive relief; serving as president of the Federal Bar Asso- ciation, where he was awarded the President’s Award of Excellence for his extraordinary service; working as an adjunct professor and trial team coach at the University of Cincinnati College of Law; mentoring new lawyers and law students as a Master of the Bench in the Potter Stewart Inn of Court; and, many other profes- sional activities. Still, that full plate of a career apparently was not enough to keep Dan completely occupied. He was an avid bowler and a devoted Bengals fan who travelled to away games as well as attending home games. In his last illness, he made the EMTs wait in the driveway of his house as he listened to the final thrilling
Cynthia Fazio
1959 – 2022
It is with immense sadness that I must share with you that our colleague and friend Cynthia “Cindy” Fazio passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 62 years old.
I hired Cindy 25-years ago as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in our Civil Division. Her loyalty to me, this office and her family never wavered and for that I will remain forever grateful. Cindy was sweet, sometimes sassy and steadfast in her opinions. Those qualities, along with being extremely intelligent, made her a tremendous attorney and a heck
of an assistant prosecuting attorney.
minutes of the end of the game against the Titans. Sadly, he did not get to see or hear the Super Bowl.
His brothers also
talk about two aspects of their brother’s life that make
them smile, even as they miss him. When Dan was growing up in Deer Park, his family discovered that he was earning money by going around the neighborhood and selling his father’s campaign pencils to the neighbors. His father served on the Municipal Court for many years, but apparently his reputation was untainted by Dan’s entrepreneurial efforts. The second aspect of Dan’s life that never stops giving is his role as an Elvis impersonator. For a time, he and his brothers even had a barbeque team that was billed as the Smoking Elvises. To compliment his role as Elvis, Dan obtained a license to perform marriages. One of the several marriages over which he presided in full Elvis regalia took place in one of his favorite venues, a bowling alley.
Of the many roles that Dan played in his life, the best and most defining part of him was as a husband to Carole and as a father to Kelsi, DJ, and Kelly. In his short sixty years of life, Dan never lost sight of the importance of his family.
He will be missed by many, but by any standard Dan Donnellon lived a valuable life in which he never neglected those things that have real value. His life was filled with achievement and joy. He will be remembered, and he will be missed.
— Thomas L. Cuni
We are all better off for having Cindy in our lives. She often referred to us as her “work family” and anyone who knew her knew that family was everything to her. Cindy’s love for her mother Rose was undeniable. Rose visited this office with Cindy many times which allowed many of us to develop a fondness for Rose as well — they were inseparable. Our prayers remain with Rose and Cindy’s family at this difficult time.
In addition to her commitment to me, this office and our clients, Cindy was a longtime volunteer and coach for St. Xavier High School’s Mock Trial Team. She coached and mentored numerous young men and her legacy will undoubtedly continue on in them.
We are blessed to be able to call her colleague and friend these
last 25 years.
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THE REPORT | November/December 2022 | CincyBar.org
— Joe Deters