Elton A. Root Jr.

Elton A. Root, Jr., proud husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on August 19, 2009, in Worcester County at the age of 82.

He leaves his wife of 52 years, Joanne Griffith Root, and three sons: Robert G. Root and wife, Anna Maria Marzullo of Easton, PA; Harlan C. Root and wife, Laura Utz Root of Wakefield, MA; Marshal E. Root and wife, Deborah Slocum of Westport, CT, as well as grandchildren Noah, Benjamin, Thyra, Angela, Megan, Allison and David. He is also survived by his brother Stuart D. Root of Monticello, N.Y.

Born in Cleveland, OH, on March 21, 1927, to Elton A. Root, Sr. and Virginia D. Root (nee Dowling), he was raised in Chagrin Falls, OH. Elton graduated as president of his high school class though he left school a few months early in order to serve in the Merchant Marine and the US Navy during World War II. While in the navy he witnessed atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. Elton used the GI bill to go to the University of Pennsylvania where he was a proud Fiji (Phi Gamma Delta). During his summer vacations he worked as a wheelsman on ore freighters on the Great Lakes. After graduating from the Wharton School in 1954, he married Joanne Griffith, also of Chagrin Falls, in November, 1956. In 1964 his sales job with Woodbury & Company took the family to Holden, MA where he has lived since with his wife. In the mid 70s, anticipating the growth in corporate branding, he became an entrepreneur operating under the name "Corporate Identification," and maintained this enterprise until his retirement.

In the Holden community, Elton assisted troop leaders for the Boy Scouts and served on the Board of the White Oak Land Conservation Society. He was also active at Second Church of Christ, Scientist, in Worcester. At an early age Elton developed a love of jazz that continued throughout his life and resulted in an extensive collection of recordings and books. Using the pseudonym "Pee Wee" he wrote a jazz column for The Landmark in its early years. His other avid hobbies were bridge, golfing and rooting for the Red Sox. He enjoyed the beauty, camaraderie and serenity at a family vacation home in East Otis, Massachusetts, where he spent his final days.

Calling hours are from 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23rd at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24th at the First Congregational Church of Holden, 1180 Main Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Second Church of Christ, Scientist, 255 Salisbury St., Worcester 01609 or the White Oak Land Conservation Society, P.O. Box 346, Holden 01520.

www.milesfuneralhome.com