Dr. Anthony Lawrence Cervino

Dr. Anthony Lawrence Cervino, age 86, peacefully passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of 40 years, children Darla (Dan) Majnaric, Bill (Toni) Cervino, Mary (Tommy) Olechnowicz, Joan (Greg) Kunklier and Anne Flesher, and 7 grandchildren (Nathan, Kyle, Owen, Joey, Tenaya, Cedar and Daisy).

Dr. Cervino was born and raised in Jeannette, Pennsylvania in 1938. He and three siblings were raised by Dorothy and Anthony (a first generation Cervino doctor). His passion to follow in his father’s footsteps started at an early age. He always and only wanted to be a physician. He attended Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh for his high school years, and then he headed to Princeton University for his undergrad. After Columbia Medical School, residency, additional fellowships in hand and reconstructive surgery, and a few years in a MASH unit in Vietnam, Dr. Cervino landed in Akron, OH to begin a long and amazing medical career as a plastic surgeon. And what a career it was! 

Paramount to Dr. Cervino and at the center of his compass was medicine. It was a journey that he pursued with extraordinary energy and genuine motivation. There was never a case too complicated or a day too long, and he worked tirelessly and selflessly for his patients. It was his life’s purpose, and he fulfilled it so beautifully. 

Dr. Cervino was one of the founders of the Crystal Clinic in Montrose in 1989. As the Crystal Clinic wrote upon hearing about his passing… “His vision, expertise and commitment to excellence were instrumental in building the foundation of who we are today. His presence and contributions will be deeply missed, but his legacy will endure in the lives of his countless patients he cared for, the surgeons he mentored, and the culture of excellence he helped create.” 

Dr. Cervino was an energy-giver! He radiated enthusiasm and left others feeling inspired (even after 12-hour cases). Anything was possible if you worked hard, if you were dedicated, and if you believed in what you were doing. He was loyal, he was unwavering, and he seemed to have a limitless capability and capacity for everything, especially work. He enjoyed an occasional game of golf, but much more for the banter than the score, and he certainly wasn’t going to show up early for his tee time. He always looked sharp in a beautiful sport coat or herringbone suit. He loved a good dinner out, and he loved to tell a joke or a story (most of which might not have been true). He loved to entertain and make others laugh. Boy did he ever! He was a gift to all of us who knew and loved him, and he will be forever missed. 

Dr. Cervino was “Big Time Baby!”

Funeral services are private. The family will greet all those who loved and worked with him at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Fairlawn, 3180 W. Market St. on Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 4-6 p.m.

If you would like to Donate in Honor of Dr. Cervino, Contributions can be made to the, Akron Plastic Surgery Foundation, Inc. Care of Ananth S. Murthy MD President, 3925 Embassy Parkway Suite 300, Akron, OH 44333

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