Wayne Thomas Bifano, age 84, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio died peacefully at his home of 49 years with Hospice care on January 6, 2023. He was born on June 25, 1938, to Angelo and Vera (nee: Vesele) Bifano, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Wayne spent his professional life as an educator, with degrees from Kent State University, John Carroll University, and Case Western Reserve University. He taught for Chardon, Solon, and Independence Public Schools. Wayne also worked as a librarian/media specialist in educational levels from Pre-School/Kindergarten to graduate school.

Wayne retired after forty years in formal educational work and then became interested in museum education. He wrote scripts and performed at historic sites—Hale Farm/Wheatfield Village and The Western Reserve Historical Society. At these venues Wayne role-played a lawyer, a minister, a Connecticut pioneer, a pilot, the Ice Cream Man, and the Socialist reformer, Eugene V. Debs. He scripted some roles and, in other instances, interacted with visitors as a first-person interpreter, requiring him to improvise and interact with visitors in his designated time period.

In 2003 Wayne became an interpretive guide/historian at Lake View Cemetery’s historic site, The Wade Chapel. In many ways this position was a return to Wayne’s family roots. His grandfather and father immigrated from southern Italy to work in this historic site as stonecutters. The Wade Chapel is an architectural, technological, historical, and spiritual gem. Wayne researched the history and backstory for the Chapel, trying to fill in the blanks for visitors for

15 years. After being asked: “Is there a book that has all this information

you’ve shared with us?”, Wayne wrote a book. The Wade Chapel: 

A Story of Art, Spirit, and Family.

Wayne is survived by his wife Martha (Price) Bifano, daughter, Laura Bifano and son, Matthew (Maria Mercedes) Bifano.

Wayne was proceeded in death by his parents and siblings, Mildred Camp, Erwin Rabek, and Vera Nichols.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 10:00 am at Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Church, 2230 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. (Parking lot is off Prospect Ave.). A private interment will be held at Lake View Cemetery’s Community Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, the Family recommends contributions be made to: Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St Clair Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 44110-2602 or to Trinity Cathedral/ Out Reach Programs, 2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, 44115.

Arrangements made by the Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon, Ohio.

Information and condolences on-line at www.burrservice.com.