Domestic relations judge for 24 years

There was no talking in Judge Leskovyansky's court, a colleague recalls.
YOUNGSTOWN -- He was Mahoning County's domestic relations judge for 24 years, but Judge John J. Leskovyansky also was known for being a loyal Democrat, a supporter of Boy Scouts of America and a card player.
Services will be Saturday in St. Matthias Church for Judge Leskovyansky, 81, of Youngstown, who died Monday night. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home, 5925 Market St.
Judge Leskovyansky's dark hair and thin mustache and face reminded some people of the actor Clark Gable. "I don't think he was teased about it as much as he enjoyed it. I think that sort of appealed to John," said Atty. Don L. Hanni Jr., a longtime friend and former chairman of the county Democratic Party.
For at least the past 10 years, Hanni and Judge Leskovyansky have been meeting for lunch the first Saturday of each month, including last week, Hanni said. Hanni recalled the judge's political activities, Boy Scouts involvement, interest in the card game known as hearts and longtime membership in St. Matthias Church, on the city's South Side.
Known for discipline
Judge Leskovyansky and Hanni were classmates at Youngstown College, and they later served as assistant city prosecutors while Frank X. Kryzan was mayor of Youngstown. They also served as municipal court judges.
Judge Leskovyansky was elected to common pleas court in 1973, while Hanni entered private practice as a criminal defense attorney.
Judge Leskovyansky had a reputation as "somewhat of a disciplinarian" in court, said Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. "Nobody was allowed to talk in his courtroom -- nobody," said Judge Evans, who was starting his law career while Judge Leskovyansky was a municipal judge.
Even a note passed between lawyer and client could bring proceedings to a screeching halt, with a stern reprimand from Judge Leskovyansky, Judge Evans said.
Judge Leskovyansky also was knowledgeable about domestic relations law and spoke annually to county bar association members about changes in the law.
"I sincerely felt we were a step ahead of our surrounding counties because of what he gave us" on a regular basis, Judge Evans said.
Judge Leskovyansky retired in 1996 because of a state law that prohibited him from running for re-election after his 70th birthday. Afterward, Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer of Ohio Supreme Court assigned him to cases in Northeast Ohio, Hanni said.
"Judge Leskovyansky served the people of Youngstown with distinction during his years on the bench, and he will be missed," said Chief Justice Moyer, who also was a friend.