Michael Grandillo Obituary

Michael Anthony Grandillo

Michael Anthony Grandillo, of Tiffin, Ohio, passed away peacefully on the deck of his beloved beachfront home in Port Clinton, Ohio.

He was born August 20, 1957, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Anthony D. and Lucy C. (née DeLuca) Grandillo. Three of his four grandparents were Italian immigrants; his maternal grandmother was born in a West Virginia coal mining camp. In just three generations, Michael fulfilled his ultimate dream of becoming a college president.

On August 4, 1984, he married the love of his life, Nancy L. Darmour. Together, they raised their two children, Vincent and Gina, in Tiffin.

Michael began his distinguished career as an Admissions Counselor at his alma mater, Ohio Northern University. He quickly rose through the ranks in higher education, eventually moving to Tiffin to become Associate Director of Admissions and then Associate Vice President for Development at Heidelberg University, where he served for 17 years.

Later, at Tiffin University, he served as Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs, during which time he oversaw the fundraising for and construction of ten campus buildings. One of his proudest achievements was his final project-acquiring and developing the land that now holds the Heminger Center and several residence halls.

Through his work with local universities, Michael was proud to have introduced countless individuals to the Tiffin community.

In 2012, he was inaugurated as the 12th President of Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 2015, he became the first lay President of Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan. During his years there, he expanded athletic offerings, built new residence halls, and raised millions in support from corporations, friends, and alumni.

Over his career, Michael received numerous accolades, including being named one of Detroit's Most Powerful Business Leaders, one of Northwest Ohio's 20 Under 40 emerging leaders, a White House Fellowship Regional Finalist, and the recipient of two Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards. He also earned the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the University of Toledo.

He served a decorated four-term tenure on the Tiffin City Council and believed strongly in the power of local government. A proud Democrat, he was heavily involved in both his local and state parties. While he was known for his unapologetic enthusiasm for his party, he was widely credited with being a friend to both sides of the political aisle. He enjoyed giving back to many local organizations, particularly Boy Scout Troop 444, with whom he traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2005.

Michael graduated from Meadowdale High School in Dayton in 1975. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Ohio Northern University in 1979, a master's degree in counseling from the University of Dayton in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Italian Renaissance Studies from the University of Toledo in 2006. His dissertation became the award-winning book Onward to the Dawn, chronicling the history of Tiffin University.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy; his son, Vincent (Amy), and their daughters, Mia and Isabella, of Cleveland; his daughter, Gina, of Tiffin; and his brother, John, of Upper Sandusky.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Thomas Grandillo.

The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Tiffin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of several scholarship funds: The Michael A. and Nancy L. Grandillo Scholarship Fund at Lakeland University, W3718 South Drive, Plymouth, WI 53073; The Nancy L Grandillo Madonna University Endowed Fund, 36600 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia, MI 48150; The DeLuca-Grandillo Scholarship at Tiffin University, 155 Miami St., Tiffin, OH 44883; St. Joseph Catholic Church, 822 Barclay St., Marblehead, OH 43440; or a charity of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be sent and guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.