Jeffrey J Yakovich

Jeffrey J Yakovich, 69, of Vermilion, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Cleveland Clinic’s Richard E. Jacobs Health Center following a courageous battle with a lengthy illness.

Born April 9, 1954, he was the son of Joseph and Rosemarie Yakovich of Lorain. He graduated from Lorain Admiral King High School in 1972 and continued his education at Bowling Green State University, earning a BS in industrial technology.  Jeff met Kathy (Miller) while attending Bowling Green and they were married in 1977.

Jeff developed an interest in orthotics and prosthetics as a result of his own experiences with an artificial limb.  In pursuit of that interest, he enrolled in the Orthotics and Prosthetics program at the Northwestern University School of Medicine in Chicago.  Following completion of his Masters of Orthotics and residency training at the Mary Freebed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jeff accepted a position as staff orthotist at the DT Watson Rehabilitation Hospital in Sewickley, Pennsylvania where he practiced for two years.  In 1982, he conceptualized, planned and then proposed an orthotics and prosthetics program for the Cleveland Clinic. He subsequently became the founding director of the newly created Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics at that institution. Under his leadership, the Department was hugely successful and Jeff enjoyed many opportunities for professional fulfillment. He became known as the “go to orthotics guy” for the Cleveland Indians, Browns and Cavaliers and maintained relationships with all three teams as a member of their medical staffs throughout his professional career.  He was thrilled to receive a championship ring from the Cavaliers following their title run in 2016.

Jeff was very active with the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of O&P (AAOP) and served as that organization’s president in 1991.  He also served as an orthotics board certification examiner for many years and is a past-president of the American Board of Certification for Orthotics and Prosthetics.  Jeff left the Cleveland clinic in 1990 to start his own practice - North Coast Orthotics and Prosthetics. With the help of Kathy and many wonderful employees Jeff grew the practice into one of the largest and most respected organizations of its type in the Midwest.  North Coast merged with Yanke Bionics in 2016, but Jeff continued to practice until he retired in 2019. Over the years he used his skills and personal experiences as an amputee to help hundreds of his patients return to a normal life.

Jeff was strong in his faith and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Parish, Vermilion.  Family was everything to him. His happiest times were spent with family and friends traveling, partying and watching football (Browns and Buckeyes). Many Saturdays and Sundays were spent tailgating. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, skiing, boating and had season tickets to the Browns, Indians and Cavs.  But more than anything he loved being with his family (and those friends that were like family).  He adored his grandchildren and loved teasing them.  Jeff was a man of true courage, having been an amputee for 46 years he never wanted anyone to think of him as disabled, because he truly wasn't. His struggles in life were real but nothing ever stopped him - he coached his kids’ teams, swam, played golf and even skied the Rockies (black diamonds and even double black diamonds on one leg). The one thing he didn't do was complain, he just endured and carried on, usually with a smile.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kathleen Sue (nee’ Miller) Yakovich of Vermilion; son, Adam J (Mellissa) Yakovich of Columbus; daughters, Katie (Roger) Driver of Vermilion and Kristie (Bryant Mayo) of Palm Coast, FL; grandchildren Layna, Maycie, Cove, Shayde, Coral, Luna, and Crest;  and his brothers, James (Jeanne) Yakovich of Amherst and Jack (Nancy) Yakovich of Lorain, brother-in-law Doug Miller of Plymouth MI, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Karen and Harry Caudill of Marion Oh, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Rosemarie (nee’ Harasty) Yakovich.

There will be a mass at St Mary's Vermilion on Friday July 14 @ 10:30 AM followed by a service with inurnment at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. Then in honor of Jeff's life there will be a party at German's Villa @ 5:00.

The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959  .

Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.