Will Sukenik

Loving husband of the late Janet Sukenik (nee Lipman); devoted father of Ellen and Joanne; Predeceased by his parents Nettie (nee Weissberg) and Abraham and sister Elaine Nussbaum; Uncle to many and friend to everyone he met.

He was 96 years old and died peacefully surrounded by love.

Will was born in Cleveland, Ohio where he lived happily for his entire life. He grew up in the Kinsman neighborhood and was very proud of being a “Kinsman Cowboy” during his days at Rickoff Elementary, Alexander Hamilton Junior High and John Adams High School. He played in the Mandolin Orchestra at 9 years old, loved riding the street cars downtown, and was always busy with activities at the Council Educational Alliance on Kinsman, forerunner to the Jewish Community Center.

It was on Kinsman and through school that he met his boyhood friends known as “The Regals” and maintained those friendships throughout his life. Through school, building careers, marriages, and raising families, the Regals remained united, sharing birthdays, celebrations, picnics, and travel.

Will met the love of his life and lifelong partner Jan while on spring break in Miami Beach. Maintaining a long-distance romance, Will convinced Jan to leave the beach and move to Cleveland, marrying in 1953. They recently celebrated 71 Years together. They took many vacations, often with family and friends in tow. He often said he felt lucky that the boy from Kinsman got to travel to wonderful places never imagined and was happy to carry Jan's bags all over the world. Their walls and minds are filled with pictures and memories of wonderful experiences and adventures.

Building a loving home, literally and figuratively, for his family was important to Will. Family and faith were central to Will’s life, and he used his time, treasure and talent for his family and extended family relatives, friends and colleagues who sought his advice and counsel.

Will studied business at Ohio University, joining Phi Sigma Delta Jewish fraternity and immediately started his own businesses, first opening Colony Lumber in 1949 when he was 20 years old and then Majestic Homes. He was an early innovator starting the Owner-Builder Program enabling families to become homeowners affordably. In the early years Majestic Homes built approximately 500 homes annually throughout Northern Ohio. Through Properties Development Company, Will expanded to construct large condominium developments in Mentor and Stow, the Victorian in Cleveland Heights, and building and managing office buildings in Beachwood (PDC and Fairways) and Mayfield Heights (Monarch Center). Will remained active in his business until his retirement in 2023.

Will gave generously of his time to the Jewish community and agencies supporting individuals with disabilities. When his daughter Joanne was not able to find school options to serve her needs, Will built the Glenwood School and Vocational Workshop in Twinsburg for developmentally disabled individuals. Glenwood included a therapeutic riding program, one of the first in Northern Ohio. He also helped fund and build the Forever Childrens Home and Hebrew Shelter House among many other contributions.

Equal to family was Will’s devotion to his Jewish faith as a lifelong member of the Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple and was deeply committed to its mission and growth. Whenever a project needed to be done, whether repairing the roof, building Purim Carnival Booths, or fundraising, Will was there. Will was an honorary and life trustee of the temple and served in multiple leadership positions, including board vice president and chair of several committees, including endowment and membership. He was a lifetime Board member of Fairmount Temple, Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Family Services Association, and Israel Bonds, and he believed in the importance of staying connected to his Jewish roots through involvement and contributions.

Will established the Sukenik Family Foundation to ensure the ongoing viability of many important local and national agencies. He shunned recognition for his efforts, believing that his reward was the best reflected in the success and achievements of those he helped.

His motto was “When there is Will, there is a Way.” This is how he lived his life and showed his love. He always made time for what and who was important to him and was a positive influence on everyone he interacted with. He truly built a legacy during his long lifetime and will be missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

A private service was held. To view this service, please scroll down to the Services Section and click on "JOIN LIVESTREAM"

Contributions in memory of Will can be made to Will and Jan Sukenik Donor Fund through Jewish Federation of Cleveland or to Hospice of Western Reserve.