Dominic Iezzoni helped champion cherries' benefits.

The cherry industry lost one of its champions last month with the death of Dominic Iezzoni.

Iezzoni, a retired clinical researcher who died Jan. 20, worked as a conduit between the Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) and the University of Michigan’s Department of Integrative Medical in examining the therapeutic benefits of red tart cherries. Over the past five years, Iezzoni volunteered as scientific advisor to the industry and helped guide the development of studies that test the effects of compounds contained in tart cherries on heart disease.

On behalf of her father, Amy Iezzoni, a Michigan State University adjunct professor credited with bringing the Balaton cherry from eastern Europe to Michigan in 1984, accepted a “certificate of appreciation” awarded by CMI’s board of directors at the 2008 Orchard and Vineyard Show last month in Acme. She delivered the certificate the day before he died.

“He held it to his chest and wouldn’t put it down,” said his wife, Ruth, a part-time county resident who with her husband established Bel Lago Winery & Vineyard north of Cedar in 1987.

Iezzoni’s legacy will live on for years to come, according to cherry industry insiders.

“Dr. Iezzoni was a pioneer for the cherry industry in the area of health research,” said CMI president and Lake Leelanau native Phil Korson II. “He believed that cherries had health properties and used his research talents to organize CMI’s research program at the University of Michigan Alternative Medicine Unit.”

The primary focus of this research was to link the anti-inflammatory properties of cherries to reducing the risk of heart disease.

Iezzoni was also instrumental in launching a new research study at the University of Scranton, where CMI is investigating the quality of anthocyanins found in tart cherries.

“He also designed and presented a research protocol for osteoarthritis of the knee,” Korson said. “It remains CMI’s goal to get a research project funded in this area in the near future.”

Iezzoni served on the CMI board as an outside director for the past four years.

“He was a brilliant scientist and a great friend to the growers in the cherry industry,” Korson said.