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Ross Hessman Obituary
Age 71 of Canton, passed away Sunday afternoon in the Laurels of Massillon following an extended illness. Born in Toledo, Ohio he lived in the Stark County area for over 30 years and served in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman. He attended the University of Toledo, Walsh University and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. During his working career he held many jobs including working at the Jeep Company as a punch press operator, a funeral director/embalmer working at several Ohio funeral homes and more recently as a custodian working at Walsh University. Peter loved people and enjoyed several hobbies including fishing, playing basketball, writing poetry and telling jokes.
He is survived by his wife, Ann (Taddonio) Hessman of the home; son, Maxwell (Chad) Hessman of Silver Spring, Md.; daughter, Elisabeth Hessman of New Hope, Ala.; sisters, Thelma (Willis) Trainor of Newark, Ohio, Suzanne (Martin) Charney of Toledo, Ohio, Ruth (Thomas) White of Green Valley, Ariz.; brother, Errol (Faye) Lam of Bowling Green, Ohio; grandchildren, Patrick, Julia; many nieces and nephews whom he was close to.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Myers Lake Ballroom in the Garden Room. Donations may be made to Community Hospice of Stark County, myhospice.org. For those unable to attend services you may register on line at our: 'On Line Registry Page' at www.wackerlyfuneralhome.com
(Wackerly 330 455-5235)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ross Hessman
Vern, Illa, and Sherrie Weisgarber/Zagorc
December 20, 2012
Dear Ann, Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are so glad that we had the opportunity to meet you and Pete at The Laurels - room 232. Pete was a creative, gentle man.
December 2, 2012
Dear Ann, family and friends,
I am so sorry for your loss and that I've just found out about Peter's passing this morning. A few days ago, I was going through my treasure trove of special gifts and notes from friends I've made through my music. I came across a poem that Peter wrote for me during one of my gigs,,, "Dulcimer Lady" he called it... what a gift he was and what a wonderful expression of appreciation he gave to me. And this for you Ann... from and email I got dated January 12, 2011... I hold these things as quite precious and I will lift you up in prayer my friend... it's another poem and notes by Peter:
THIS UNIVERSE
Music so mellow.
A love song
sung by two.
I
next to my love,
through the corner of my eye
I see flashes of another universe.
Another layer of eternity?
Is there eternity?
There is love.
I'm not so sure it crosses universes.
I am sure it is in this universe.
I am sure that my love next to me
loves me
and I her.
Just Me
Peter
1/9/11
This poem is for Ann.
However, it was inspired
by Rick Brunning and Jan Hammond
as they sang a love song that
Rick wrote.
Lori Snook
November 25, 2012
Peter was a wonderful man. We are glad we got to hear him speak his poetry at First Friday. We will miss him. Thoughts and prayers go out to Pete's family.
~Lori and Joe
November 24, 2012
Peter was a kind and a likeable person.. Even though he was ill he always tried to have a smile on his face. He was a great neighbor and friend. Peter will be missed by everyone that knew him. He is in a better place now. No more pain, no more wheel chair, just peace. Donna Wuchnick
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Becky Smith (Stitt)
November 23, 2012
Ann,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
November 22, 2012
Sorry for your loss. Florence Orzak
candi gaiser/king
November 22, 2012
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
November 22, 2012
my condolences to the family.. my only regret is not having the opportunity to meet him personally.. although i feel as though i know him through the stories his daughter has told. may he live on in the hearts of those he touched, including my own, in which he has touched trough the traits he has passed on to his daughter. <3 sending love to all<3 ~ laura
November 21, 2012
Peter's poems will continue to bring his gentle and generous to mind. Blessings for your family
Marcy Zink Orchard
November 21, 2012
Dear Ann,
I was sorry to read of Peter's passing. May God be with you and your family as you deal with the difficult days ahead.
Sincerely,
"Mike" Paris
Jane Hutchings
November 21, 2012
I will never forget his poems he wrote for us! He will be truly missed. I was blessed to know him.
Heather Jones
November 21, 2012
Elisabeth, Patrick, Julia, Max and family, my thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. Liz, I can tell your Dad was a wonderful and well-loved man.
Carla Thompson
November 21, 2012
Dear Ann and family,
I can't tell you how much your friendship and words have meant to Jacob and me. Peter's sweetness and humor touched us and our students. You simply could not frown when he read. I wish we had been able to spend more time with you both, but know that you remain in our hears.
Carla and Jacob
Theresa Gottl
November 21, 2012
What a beautiful soul...Peter will be missed by everyone in the poetry and music community, for his support and love, but also for the way he took every situation in stride. Even during his illnesses, friends rarely heard him complain. Instead, he'd make up a pun, tell a joke, or write a funny poem. Ann and the Hessmans have my prayers of peace. Rest easy, friend. May your puns make the angels laugh so hard that they cry, raining joy down on us all.
Patricia Beane
November 21, 2012
Dear Ann and Family,
My sincere sympathy to you and your family on the passing of your loved one. I will pray that God gives you comfort and peace in the days ahead.
timothy gates
November 21, 2012
Every time a friend falls asleep to this time and space i see their face within. every time I sing Memory Eternal remembering one I then see the entourage of faces I've loved and realize ... the impermanent nature of the.present breath, and the timelessness of love known. Grateful that Peter, and Ann, have called me friend. Will miss you Peter but will not forget you. Memory Eternal
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