Joseph Hada Jr.

Joseph Hada Jr., 75, of Painesville, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2025. Joe was a beacon of the community, known for his dedication to education and passion for coaching local sports teams. He loved sharing time with his family, running, biking, baseball, and fishing.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Mary; daughters Betsy and Julia (Brad); son Joseph; grandchildren Jaxon and Alexis; his brother Ronald Hada of Highlands, Texas; sister Cheri (Douglas) Hada-Scheckelhoff of Laurel, Md.; brother-in-law Warren Remein of Bay Village; numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and the small dog he learned to love, Ruby.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Sr. and Dorothy, and sisters Joyce and Connie.

Joe was born on January 5, 1950, in Painesville, Ohio. He graduated from Thomas W. Harvey High School in 1968, Heidelberg University (B.A. in political science and education) in 1972, and Cleveland State University (M.S. in urban studies) in 1978. He began his teaching career by spending one year at Leetonia High School and went on to teach U.S. history and government at Mentor High School for 29 years. He closed out his time in the classroom as a Sports Management instructor at Heidelberg.

Wrestling was a passion of Joe’s, dedicating over 50 years to the sport as an athlete, coach, and official. An outstanding wrestler for the Harvey Red Raiders, Joe went on to grapple his way to the 1970 NCAA National Championships and All-American status for Heidelberg University. Joe was head coach of the Leetonia Bears for a season before amassing a 217-61-7 record as head coach for Mentor Cardinals. At Mentor, Joe coached a state champion, numerous state placers, received the OHSAA State Wrestling Coach of the Year award and earned recognition from the National Wrestling Coaches Association for his 200th dual win. In 1999, Joe left Mentor to help coach his son Joe through his senior year with the Raiders. He then followed younger Joe back to the Berg, where he stayed for 12 years as an assistant coach and a brief stint as interim head coach. He helped Heidelberg win 10 Ohio Athletic Conference championships and coached 25 OAC champions, 40 national qualifiers, nine all-Americans, and one national champion. Joe finally left his shoes on the mat in 2015. He was inducted into the Ohio chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022.

Joe served as president of both the Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association and the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association. He is also a member of the Thomas W. Harvey High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, the T. W. Harvey School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Mentor High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Heidelberg University Athletic Hall of Fame, and received the Mentor High School Football Stadium Dedication award.

A proud lifelong resident of the City of Painesville, Joe was first elected as an at-large councilperson in 1982 and served a record-setting eight terms. He was honored to be voted Council President for several terms, and he chaired the Economic Development Committee. He and Mary, who herself spent over 21 years on the School Board for the Painesville City Local School District, were named the Eastern Lake County Citizens of the Year in 2016.

Joe was a proud member of the Painesville Masonic Lodge #28 F.&A.M. and the Valley of the Cleveland Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, 32 Degree, for over 50 years.

Calling hours will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home 667 Mentor Ave., Painesville, OH, 44077. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, at First Church Congregational, 22 Liberty St., Painesville, OH, 44077. The Rev. Thomas Cofer will officiate.

Donations to the First Church Foundation, 22 Liberty St., Painesville, OH, 44077, are requested in lieu of flowers.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Hada Jr., please visit our floral store.