Obituary of Leon C. Svendsen

Leon C. Svendsen, born to Tillie and Carl Svendsen on October 2, 1918 left this world to be reunited with them and his sister Caroline on January 16, 2013. Leon made a lifetime career as an entertainer, juggler, clown and acrobat. Working in Vaudeville, he performed in venues such as Radio City Music Hall in New York also serving as halftime entertainment with the Harlem Globetrotters for 10 years in the 1960's under the direction of Abe Saperstein traveling around the world. In later years he worked with several circuses and performed at Shriners Children's Hospitals as well. He loved making people laugh. Telling jokes was a daily occurrence. His grandchildren were the apple of his eye. Mr. Svendsen was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II in the Aleutian Islands. Special thank you to Dr. Donald Dahlen and staff and the Palliative Care Unit staff at Akron City Hospital for their loving care. He is survived by wife of 52 years, Anna; son, Richard; daughter, Debra (James) Luther; sister, Betty; and grandchildren, Aubrey, Jimmy and Nolan Luther. Funeral service will be held Saturday, 1 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron where the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fr. David McCarthy officiating. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northeastern Ohio Arthritis Foundation, 4630 Richmond Rd. Suite 240, Cleveland, Ohio 44128. (Anthony, Akron, 330-724-1281, www.anthonyfh.com)