Wayne G. Ambrose's Obituary
Wayne G. Ambrose departed his earthly life and went to his Heavenly home on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Hospice House in Cape Coral, FL. He was born May 24, 1934 in Cleveland, OH the second of two sons born to Clyde W. and Hilda F. (Scheurger) Ambrose. He moved with his family to Rittman, OH in 1946. Wayne was a 1952 graduate of Rittman High School where he was elected the school’s first student council president. He served his country from 1953-1957 as a member of the US Navy. He married the former Donna Bordacs on July 28, 1957 and they shared a beautiful life of love for 61 years.He is survived by Donna; daughter, Elizabeth (Kevin) Rafferty; sons, Kirk (Beth) Ambrose and Franklin Ambrose; grandchildren, Colin and Caley Rafferty, Ella Ambrose; step-grandchildren, Conor (Heather) Rafferty and Erin Rafferty; three step-great grandchildren; niece, Kristin (Joe) Smith and nephew, David (Kathy) Williams; former daughter-in-law, Suzanne Ambrose.He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Clyde, Jr.Wayne received his Bachelor Degree of Education from Ashland University in 1961. He served as a graduate assistant in football at Bowling Green State University while earning his Master’s Degree of Education in 1963. He was an assistant coach at Warren G. Harding High School and served as head football coach at the following Ohio high schools: Hardin Northern, Eastwood and Celina Senior High School where his 1968 team had the school’s first undefeated, untied season. In 1972 he returned to Rittman where he served as head of the English Department and Athletic Director until 1975. He went to Northwestern High School as its principal through 1979. He returned to Rittman to serve as Rittman Middle School Principal until his retirement in 1989. While at the middle school, the school received the honor as the outstanding Ohio Middle School in 1985 and he was chosen Ohio Middle School Principal of the year in 1986. Wayne also served four years as the middle school representative on the Ohio High School Athletic Board of Control.Wherever he lived, he served his community through Lions International, an organization he joined in 1961. He was president of his local Rittman Lions Club, governor of District 13-G and then chairman of the Ohio Council of Governors the following year.He was a devoted Christ follower in the United Methodist Church. Serving the Lord as an adult Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leader, and as a board member of administrative councils of the churches in every community he lived. Until recently he was a member of the Counting Team at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Coral.A Celebration of Life for Wayne will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, May 24, 2019 at Grace United Methodist Church, 13 SE 21st Place, Cape Coral, FL. A reception will follow at Horizon Village clubhouse, 9300 Littleton Road, North Fort Myers, at 1:00 PM.Wayne’s cremains will be placed at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio at a later date.In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made in Wayne’s honor to Grace United Methodist Church, Hope Hospice or the donor’s favorite charity.Arrangements for final care have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907, (239) 936-0555. To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer a condolence at this difficult time please visit www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign the guestbook.
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