Ronald Wm. Root

Ron Root passed away quietly August 5, 2005, pretty much the way he lived his 57 years. He had been ailing for the past three years, although most people weren't aware because he didn't want them to be aware. Probably the first inkling that something was very wrong happened on the morning that his Piper Aztec 6353Y flew off the island, with someone else at the cockpit. Or when that huge mausoleum was ferried over to the Bay...what IS that? "My retirement home", Ron would say, with that knowing grin.
Ron never wanted recognition for all the good deeds he did. He just wanted to help people. He was that way pretty much all of his life. Ready to help. Always there when anyone needed him. Nothing he wouldn't do.
Ron was born in Toledo on November 19, 1947, to Bob and MaryJo (Gardner) Root. Well known in the Toledo area, he was a partner in Root Outdoor Advertising, and helped grow the successful business over the years with his father and brother until they sold the business in 2001. As a teenager, he discovered Put-In-Bay, and began a lifelong love affair with the island.
His other love affair was with his wife, Carol, who he met while attending Kent State University in the late 60s. There he was a Pershing Rifle in ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) and he majored in business administration. They were married on July 18, 1970, and had a son, Jason, who now lives with his new wife, Katrina, in Ottawa Hills.
Ron and Carol would boat over to the Bay frequently during their first summers together. They became members of the Crew's Nest and ILYC. Then, one day, when he and Carol were at the Bay, they learned of a property that was up for auction. In a matter of hours, they became islanders, and here begins the best part of Ron's story.
While Ron was a success at Root Outdoor, his real love was being a cop on the Bay. He joined the police force in 1994, and attained the rank of Lieutenant of the Marine Patrol at Put-In-Bay. He was also a member of the Honor Guard, served as a volunteer firefighter, and was the coroner's investigator for a number of years. He also served as vice president of the Port Authority, and other activities too numerous to mention.
An avid hobbyist, Ron was a learned guy with special interests, and when he had an interest, he went at it with zeal.
Ron leaves his wife of 35 years, Carol; son, Jason (Katrina); father, Robert W. (Carola) Root; brother, David (Kay) Root, and sister, Debbie Root. He was preceded in death by his mother, MaryJo, and nephew, James F. Root (son of David and Kay Root).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 6, 2005, at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, Put-In-Bay. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 1124 Fulton Street, Port Clinton. Entombment will be in the Root Family mausoleum in Mapleleaf Cemetery, Put-In-Bay. Memorial donations may be given to Stein Hospice or Put-In-Bay E.M.S. On line condolences may be given at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com