Kenneth A. "Kenny" Viviani formerly of Rocky River, OH passed away peacefully at home in North Ridgeville, OH at the age of 75. Beloved husband of Margaret U. "Peggy" Viviani. Dear father of Kathryn "Katie" (Terry) Stone and the late Matthew K. Viviani. Cherished "Biggy" to Sydney Elizabeth, Tyler Matthew and Londyn Victoria. Brother to the late Alfred P. Viviani. "UNC" to Gary, Nancy and Rick.
Ken was a man of integrity, loyal to a fault, who loved his family fiercely. He was a
good man with a big personality, always smiling and drawing a laugh unless you tested the little
patience he had. Kenny was known for his kindness, he always knew a guy, who knew a guy,
either to help someone out of a jam, or to save them a buck or two, it didn't matter he just
wanted to help.
Reflecting on Ken’s journey through life, it is clear he meant so much, to so many. It’s
important to start by remembering the years before Kenny became a devoted husband, a
beloved father, and a doting grandfather, as he was first a loving son to his parents, both
immigrants from Italy, Anna & Alfonse. Kenny was a younger brother to Alfred, and became an
adored uncle to Ricky, Gary, and Nancy, who still refer to him affectionately as ‘Unc’. Born and
raised in Rocky River, Kenny attended grades K-10, building lifelong friendships prior to
graduating from Lutheran West High School in 1963.
After graduation Kenny continued working as a Manager at Lum’s where he learned all
aspects of the bar/restaurant business enabling him to open his own Lum’s franchise 5 years
later. It wasn’t until 1970 when he met his beloved wife Peggy of 48 years at a Cleveland
Skyscraper’s dinner party. Membership to this club was unique as you had to be at least 6’ to
join, so at 6’ 7” Kenny was a shoe-in, and so was Peggy who had been recently crowned “ Miss
Tall Cleveland”.
After thee wed, Kenny joined the Bay Village Jaycees, years later becoming President
of that chapter. Then along came a daughter, Katie. Now a Dad, Ken felt it was time to transition
into a so-called 9-5 job, and thanks to friends in the biz, he landed his first sales job as a liquor
sales rep with Universal Marketing. Less than a year later, their son Matthew was born with a
life-threatening illness. Without hesitation, Kenny took on a 2nd job to support his young family,
doing what he missed most from Lums, tending bar.
It didn’t take long for Kenny to make a name for himself selling booze when he caught
the attention of locally owned Stanley Restaurant Supply Company. Ken was just what they
needed, and signed on as a Sales Manager to call upon and service the Cleveland areas top
bars and restaurants. He became respectively known by some as “Kenny from Stanley” and by
others as the “Gentle Giant”. Around that time Kenny took his bartending talents to Edgewater
Yacht Club where he became a fixture on Sunday nights for the next 10+ years. After 18 years
at Stanley, it was time to bid farewell, so in 2002, he began the final chapter of his career at
Darling International as an Account Manager.
Retiring was hard for Kenny, he loved going to work everyday, he loved making new
friends, but he loved his family more, and wanted to spend more time being a “Biggy” to his 3
Grandchildren, and that he did. Kenny enjoyed camping, fishing, garage-saling, yes
garage-saling, and most of all spending time with those he cherished most, he was truly loved by all and he will be missed.
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