BASIL JOSEPH PROVENZALE

Basil Joseph Provenzale (BJ), age 95, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family. Beloved father of Diane Flieger, Mark (Sue), and David (Sharon); ex-husband and lifelong friend of Marilyn J. (nee Willson) Provenzale (deceased); longtime companion of Diana Lee Johnson; Beloved grandfather to Rachel and Julia Flieger, Brendan Provenzale (fiancé, Darcy Engle), Samuel Provenzale (Chelsea), and Cara Provenzale; great-grandfather to Kaelan Provenzale.

Lifelong Clevelander, Basil first lived in Tremont with his Italian-American parents and family. As a young child, his family moved to Fairview Park, where he attended school, was senior class president and played on the football team.

After graduation, Basil married and enlisted in the Air Force. He was a Decorated veteran, serving in the Korean War as a Medic. He returned to Ohio and worked as a plasterer, a trade he learned from his father. He sold insurance for a short time. In 1971, Basil started a commercial construction company, B.J. Provenzale Construction Co., in downtown Cleveland.

BJ, as he was known by his friends, was a man of many interests. He was actively involved in Clague Playhouse theater for many years as an actor, director, producer, and playwright. During the (1967-68) season at The Clague Playhouse, BJ starred in the musical "The Fantasticks".He later brought his performance skills to television commercials for companies such as the East Ohio Gas Company and Invacare. His talents also extended to film, appearing in "Revenge of the Dawgs" as Art Modell and in "Connected" where he played a wise Grandfather.

BJ shared the past 20 years with his companion, Diana Lee. He enjoyed a lifelong love of music - playing the accordion, keyboards, guitar, mandolin, banjo – and even composed a few original tunes. Some of his happiest moments were spent jamming with friends, singing, and dancing the night away. His artistic talents did not stop there – he also had a passion for painting in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media. He surrounded himself with art and lovingly shared his creations with others.

In his 50s, he played softball with his two adult sons on the Provenzale Construction team, winning many a summer championship. He also enjoyed keeping fit at North Olmsted Rec Center, where he worked out several times a week and enjoyed seeing the staff and chatting with his fellow exercise enthusiasts.

While a patient at Ames Family Hospice of the Western Reserve, BJ formed warm friendships with staff and volunteers, who enjoyed listening to him play the piano and watching him create his new art on canvases his family provided.

BJ was a friendly, outgoing man who found joy in life's simple pleasures - the love of his family and friends, his artistic pursuits, and the warmth of the sunshine on his face during a walk in the Metroparks.

He remained vibrant until the very end, sustained by his deep love for his family and his enduring passion for living…. He will not soon be forgotten!

We Love you, Pops!

Friends will be received Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at Misencik Funeral Home, 36363 Detroit Rd. Avon, Ohio. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110 (https://www.hospicewr.org)