Retired Juvenile Court Judge Damian Vercillo receives portrait for his 24 years of service

Judge Damian Vercillo speaks at the Ashland Bar Association's recognition for his retirement and unveiling of his portrait that will be hung on the wall of the courthouse on Monday, May 23, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM
Judge Damian Vercillo speaks at the Ashland Bar Association's recognition for his retirement and unveiling of his portrait that will be hung on the wall of the courthouse on Monday, May 23, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

ASHLAND – Countywide attorneys, magistrates, judges and prosecutors gathered in the Ashland County Common Pleas Courtroom on Monday to celebrate the retirement and portrait unveiling of Probate and Juvenile Judge Damian Vercillo.

Vercillo was surprised by the outpouring of law officials who came to celebrate, he said. Vercillo will be added to the wall of previous judges in the courthouse.

Vercillo, a graduate of Ohio State University, was known as a staunch and formidable defense attorney in Ashland County.

Municipal Judge John Good said he was even afraid of Vercillo during one case back when Good was a prosecutor. Former Ashland County Prosecutor Bob DeSanto told Good at the time, "good."

Vercillo deserved to be feared, DeSanto told Good.

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The former judge was on the bench from 1997 to 2021. He couldn't run for a fifth term because Ohio law prohibits a person from beginning a judicial term after turning 70.

In February 2021, Vercillo was given a plaque from the Ashland County Sheriff's Office for his 24 years of service to the county.

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Judge Damian Vercillo speaks at the Ashland Bar Association's recognition for his retirement and unveiling of his portrait that will be hung on the wall of the courthouse on Monday, May 23, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM
Judge Damian Vercillo speaks at the Ashland Bar Association's recognition for his retirement and unveiling of his portrait that will be hung on the wall of the courthouse on Monday, May 23, 2022. TOM E. PUSKAR/TIMES-GAZETTE.COM

Current Juvenile Judge Karen DeSanto-Kellogg: 'He has the best smile'

Current Probate-Juvenile Judge Karen DeSanto-Kellogg touched on Vercillo's ability to handle difficult cases and people, as well as his constant faithfulness to serve the public.

"He has the best smile," DeSanto-Kellogg said. "He served the public quietly without much fanfare."

Vercillo thanked the bar association, his staff for their excellent workmanship and the Ashland County community.

"Being a judge can be lonely," Vercillo said. "The irony is you can't work alone."

Reach Grant at 419-281-0581 ext. 259 or gritchey@gannett.com 

On Twitter: @ritchey_grant 

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland County Bar Association honors retired judge Vercillo