Cloud, Florida and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Second World War.

[1] After the war, he attended the University of Maryland, where he played football as a linebacker and fullback.

[3] Cianelli served as team co-captain alongside Bob Ward during the Terrapins' 1952 Sugar Bowl upset victory over "General" Neyland's number-one ranked Tennessee.

[4] Cianelli later worked in Washington, D.C. as a lobbyist for Bethlehem Steel.

His son, Dave Cianelli, is currently the Virginia Tech track & field coach, and was named the 2007 ACC Coach of the Year for both indoor and outdoor track.