Roger M. Fry

On 3/16/24, Roger Fry of Aurora, OH passed away at the age of 84 years.

He was born on 3/18/1939 in Ogden, Utah to Gwen and Milton Fry. Roger was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He touched the lives of many with his kindness, gentle spirit, loyalty, and unshakeable optimism.

Roger began his life lending a hand in the family drive-in movie theater business in Boise, Idaho alongside his two younger brothers Dutch (Ronald) and Dennis. Following high school, he served in the Air National Guard which ignited a passion for aviation that ran deep for the rest of his life. He graduated from Idaho State University with a degree in Marketing and moved to Ohio to make a career in the steel industry. In 1965, he married his wife of 36 years, Elaine, (nee Onacila) and they raised 2 children on the Westside of Cleveland.

After retirement, Roger moved back to Idaho where he worked part-time at a local golf course in Boise. He spent many happy days there throughout the summers with his fellow golf enthusiasts.

Outside of work, Roger was passionate about aviation and space. In his early 40’s, he became a private pilot and cherished the time he spent in the cockpit flying to cities across the Midwest. Throughout his life, Roger maintained a voracious appetite for books about planes and space exploration. He celebrated his retirement by attending space camp at Kennedy Space Center. He was a lover of science documentaries and, in his words, was a “collector of experiences”. He was insatiably curious about the world around him.

In his final years, Roger returned to Cleveland to be closer to family. He spent 3 happy years at Independence Village of Aurora where he loved to play cards with other residents, root for the Browns and cheerfully joke with his loyal caretakers.

He will be deeply missed by his devoted family. His son Gregory; daughter Monica (Griffin); grandson Liam and brother Dutch (Tonie). He was preceded in death by his former wife Elaine; brother Dennis and parents Gwen and Milton.

A private interment will be held at a later date, per his wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made in memory of Roger to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care of Uniontown.