Robert Smeraldo, the longest tenured member of the Kinston Indians staff, passed away after complications from a stroke.
Kinston Indians (High Class A; Carolina League) Clubhouse Manager Robert Smeraldo died Tuesday night from complications of a massive stroke suffered early Monday morning. Smeraldo was 59 years old.
Smeraldo was the longest tenured member of the Kinston Indians staff, working 17 years with the team.
“Words can’t describe what Robert meant to not only the Kinston Indians, but also the Cleveland Indians Organization,” said Kinston Indians General Manager Shari Massengill. “He spent almost two decades taking care of Cleveland’s future stars; he worked around the clock to make sure their needs were met. He loved this team and we in turn loved him.”
Originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, Smeraldo was an outstanding high school athlete and spent 22 years as a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force. Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.
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