Dr. Victor Lenzo, a family physician practicing in Marion, passed away Saturday, December 1, 2012. He was a native of Newcomerstown, OH, born April 12, 1924 to Carmelo and Sarah Lenzo.
He first knew he wanted to become a doctor during his sophomore year of high school at Newcomerstown, where he graduated in 1941, but it was almost 10 years after high school that he went on to attend medical school.
He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943. He served as First Mate Pharmacist before being discharged in 1946. He then went into business with his brother, opening the Touraine Supper Club in their hometown in 1948.
At the time he began undergraduate college, he and his wife, Lucille, had one child and were expecting another. When he graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s of science degree and received his diploma from OSU’s College of Medicine, they had five children.
He completed his internship at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, OH from 1958-1959. He then came to Marion to start his practice. He provided health care to five generations of families for over 50 years.
When he was not taking care of his patients, he was assisting members of the Marion community. He dedicated himself to establishing the polio program in Marion and forming the Marion Arts Council in 1966.
Dr. Lenzo served as cultural chairman for the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce; Marion General Hospital Executive Committee 1968-1972; and was Chief of Staff at Marion General Hospital in 1971. He also served on the hospital’s board of governors from 1980-1984. As a forty year member of the Marion City Board of Health, he served as the Medical Director. He was a member of the Marion Symposiarchs; Red Cross; Medical Advisory Committee; Tri-Rivers Joint Vocational School; and Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice (1979); Member of the Ohio State Medical Association; American Academy of Family Practice and North Central Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of family Physicians. He served on the Marion City Health Board and was recognized by the Junior Service Guild for renovation of the permanent Clearinghouse building in Sawyer Ludwig Park. He was active with the Marion Concert Association, serving as president in 1967, as well as vice president of the International Concert Association. During his retirement, he was the Medical Director for the Marion City Health Department.
Dr. Victor Lenzo is survived by his wife, Lucille, of 64 years of marriage. Five children: Stephen (Joyce), Thomas (Debi), Vickie (Robert Davidson), Ronald, Jan (James Ferree). Eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great great grandchild; and brothers Arthur (Judy) and Michael (Mitzi).
He was a world traveler. The highlight of all his journeys was his trip to Rome, Italy with his wife and children for a private audience with Pope Paul VI in 1971. He worked endlessly to manicure and preserve the perfection of his lawn, trees, and garden. You could find our father on any given Saturday coaching the Ohio State Buckeye football team.
The family will greet family and friends one hour before the 10:30AM Funeral Mass on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at St. Mary Church, 251 N. Main St., Marion, OH, where Fr. Dwayne McNew will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.
In place of flowers, please donate in the name of Dr. Victor Lenzo to: Marion General Hospital Hospice, 278 Barks Road West, Marion, OH 43302; Attn: Teresa Hazlett.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors. Condolences may be expressed, online, to the family at www.gunderhallandfolk.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
