John Frola

A partisan donnybrook broke out in Akron last week when the Summit County elections board voted to hire a politically connected businessman. The decision was backed by Democrats Wayne Jones and Tim Gorbach.

Frola’s firm, Municipal Solutions, has worked with Parma schools for nearly eight years, earning $1,500 a month as a real estate consultant. But the Plain Dealer reported he hasn’t been licensed to do so.

Early Life and Education

john frola was born on March 1, 1938 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph and Helen Frola.

He was a biology professor for 35 years at the University of Akron. He was also a founding member of Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church.

His family was the most important part of his life and he would want you to spend your time with your children and educate them to better prepare themselves for the future. He had a great ability to create and maintain lasting friendships.

He lost a $1,500-a-month contract with the Parma schools this week, when school Superintendent Sarah Zatik accused him of doing little or nothing since December 2007. His name appeared on a federal subpoena delivered to the district as part of a broader corruption investigation.

Achievements and Honors

One of the more prestigious and interesting honors in Frola’s career was becoming Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Canada, in what must have been an unheard of occurrence for such a young talent. This accomplishment was followed by the more modest accolade of becoming a Principal at English National Ballet. The National Ballet is considered by many to be the top ballet company in the world, based on its reputation and quality of its performances.

Despite his impressive professional achievements, Frola may have had an even more remarkable personal life. He was a longtime resident of Uniontown, Ohio, where his family still calls home. His wife of 56 years, Cynthia, remains a close and much appreciated companion. In addition to her, John is survived by his sons, John L. Frola, Jr (Anna Salerno), and Joseph P. Frola; his adoring grandchildren, Giuliana Rose, John Pasquale and Joseph Antonio; and special family member, Caesar Vincenzo Salerno.

Personal Life

John Frola was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to Joseph and Helen Frola. He was a father and grandfather, a husband and friend.

A businessman with close ties to several Summit County elected officials, John Frola was hired March 1 as a poll coordinator by the Summit County elections board. But the hiring was soon thrown into question after it was revealed that Frola has close ties to the Cuyahoga County corruption probe.

Frola’s firm, Municipal Solutions, had a contract with the Parma schools to help sell a building in 2008 but it was cut off a year later after federal agents served subpoenas on Frola and his business. He also was fined $20,000 by the Ohio Real Estate Commission for working as an unlicensed real estate agent.