Judge C. Roland Centrone was elected to serve on the Massillon Municipal Court for the term beginning January 1, 2008. Prior to becoming Judge, he served as the Court Magistrate for 18 years, and gained practical experience in a private law practice before being appointed as Magistrate.
Centrone graduated from Canton Central Catholic High School in 1963; the University of Dayton in 1967; and received his Juris Doctorate from The University of Akron in 1980. In 1977, he was hired to serve as a bailiff and clerk for Judge Ira G. Turpin of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. He was taught the nuances of the law and legal history by his mentors, Judges Ira Turpin and Norman J. Putman.
Judge Centrone brings a lifetime of real world experience to the Massillon Municipal Court. He has been employed as a laborer with the City Street Department, The Hoover Company, and Sugardale. He was a salesman for Linwood and Searle Laboratories, then toiled as a bellman at a hotel, as he worked his way through law school.
He was appointed by the Stark County Common Pleas Judges to serve on the Public Defenders Commission and retired as its Vice Chairman in 1996, due to his appointment as full-time Magistrate with the Massillon Municipal Court. Centrone also served on the Board of Stark County Trial Lawyers Association for ten years.
Public service has always been an important component to Judge Centrone’s life. He takes special interest in the health and well-being of those less fortunate in the community. He has served on the Boards of Catholic Community Services of Massillon, Catholic Community Services of Stark County, and the Western Stark Medical Clinic, a free clinic for those citizens without health insurance. At the end of his term as Board President of the clinic, he was lauded with the Shining Star Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the organization.
Judge Centrone is married to Kathleen for 23 years and has two daughters, Dr. Charla Anne Ramsey and Regina Centrone. He is a member of St. Barbara Church and Knights of Columbus #554.
