Roger Barry Pettibone, 82, of Newbury, Ohio and Raleigh, North Carolina – formerly of Richfield, OH; Parma, OH; and Jefferson, OH – passed away peacefully on Feb 17, 2021.
Roger was born on December 26, 1938 to Frank and Alice Pettibone in Jefferson, OH. He attended Jefferson schools through middle school and then moved to the west side of Cleveland where he graduated from Parma High School. After attending General Motors Institute for two years, Roger graduated from Kent State University with a business and accounting degree.
Roger met Joan Hartzell while attending Kent State University and they married in December of 1962. They were blessed to have three children – Craig, Kristin, and Carter.
Being among the most gregarious accountants known, Roger attended Newbury UCC Church then Federated UCC Church in Chagrin Falls, OH with Joan where he “sang out loud and sang out strong” in the Church Choir and the Ensemble. He was known widely as a greeter, a hugger, and a positive energetic soul.
Roger worked first as a staff accountant at Lybrand, Ross Bros, and Montgomery in the early- and mid-1960s, then moved to the manufacturing company, Morrison Products, of Cleveland, OH as Accountant and Controller. After a successful 36-year career with Morrison, he retired in 2003 as VP & Chief Financial Officer.
Keeping busy in his retirement, Roger volunteered for many years as a driver for Geauga County Meals on Wheels and as the Treasurer of the Geauga County Habitat for Humanity. He and Joan also found a love of ocean cruises as they explored the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Canadian and Alaskan Coasts with friends and family.
Through the years, his main source of pride and enjoyment was spending time with his family and participating fully in his community. Whether coaching and attending his sons’ sporting events or attending Kristin’s and Joan’s musical performances, he (and Joan) supported and raised up those around him. Once they were empty nesters, Roger and Joan participated in Geauga Lyric Theater Guild musical productions; enjoyed every pancake breakfast & spaghetti dinner fundraiser that they could find; and sang – first in the Newbury UCC Church choir, then in barbershop quartets in the Cleveland and Akron areas and eventually at the Federated UCC Church. He also enjoyed volunteer work with the Newbury Recreation Board, playing softball in the Newbury “Old Men’s League” and playing volleyball on Sunday afternoons at the Newbury High School gym.
Later in life, Roger loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren, which included a healthy dose of backyard barbeques, dinners out, musical events, and storytelling. He was a vocal supporter at the grandkids’ sporting events, an outdoor guide for the grandkids as they explored the woods and the waterfalls at the Music Street property, and a late night supportive conversationalist.
He is survived by his daughter, Kristin (Bill) Bohna; his sons, Carter (Deidre) Pettibone and Craig (Kristi) Pettibone; grandchildren Riley Pettibone, Tristan Pettibone, Erin Pettibone, Schuyler Pettibone, and Kyra Pettibone; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He is predeceased by his loving and supportive wife, Joan; his parents; his brother, Arthur Bruce Pettibone; and his sister, Carolyn Aumont.
A very special thank you to the entire staff of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular ICU units J-64 and J-55. We are so grateful that you were able to care for him with spirit, with humor, with kindness, and with joy over these last few months. He valued and admired your assistance.
Due to Covid-19 a memorial service and celebration of life will be set for a later date.
Arrangements by Stroud Lawrence Funeral Home. www.stroudlawrence.com
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