F. Michael Apicella

F. Michael Apicella passed away peacefully with his wife, Judge Mary Jane Trapp, and his beloved cats by his side. He was the youngest and sixth child of Felice and Catherine Apicella and was preceded in death by his brothers, Ramo, Anthony, Carl and Richard and his sister, Lonnie. Ramo was killed, and Anthony was severely injured when a drunken milk truck driver drove onto the tree lawn, striking the two boys as they played. In those days immigrants did not bring lawsuits and would not have had much success if they did, but Mike dedicated most of his legal career to representing the wrongfully injured. He is survived by four children, Catherine, Carol, Susan Patton (William), and Michael and three grandchildren, Sam Patton (Lisa), Noah Patton and Alexander Apicella and many special nieces and nephews.

He grew up in the Our Lady of Peace parish and graduated from John Adams High School. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from The Ohio State University. While at Ohio State, Mike wrestled and played lacrosse. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He also joined the Army ROTC, where he first became a tanker. Mike served his county as a member of the 107th Armored Cavalry and as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army.

His sixty-five-year legal career began in the military. When he returned to civilian life Mike practiced at the National City Bank Trust Department, the New York Central Railroad Law Department, and then entered the private practice of law. For twenty years he practiced with his wife in the Cleveland firm of Apicella & Trapp before she took the bench.

In 2003, he received the Ritter Award from the Ohio State Bar Foundation for his unparalleled commitment to the betterment of both the profession and the justice syste

He served the legal community through bar association work with the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys, the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, and the Cuyahoga County Bar Foundation, serving as president of those organizations.

He chaired arbitration panels for the Cuyahoga and Geauga County Common Pleas Courts and was a mediator for the U.S. District Court. He served for many years on the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Judicial Selection Committee and the Ohio State Bar Association’s Council of Delegates.

Mike was a life member of the Judicial Conference of the Eighth Judicial District and was one of the longest serving members of the Ohio Delegation to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, attending each meeting from 1983 until 2008. His voice for the solo and small firm practitioner and the clients served by these attorneys was highly regarded nationally.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, 1223 W. 6th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 or the Geauga Humane Society-Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Rd., Novelty, Ohio 44072.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM Saturday November 16 at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Interment Russell Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the DiCICCO & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 5975 MAYFIELD RD. MAYFIELD HTS. OH 44124, FRIDAY 3:00-7:00 PM. Online guest book and condolences www.diciccoandsonsfh.com