ROCHESTER -- Passed away peacefully at Highland Hospital on April 24th after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and pneumonia, at the age of 86.
He is predeceased by his parents, Gertrude Foss and Frederick C. Roth, Sr., brother, Frederick C. Roth, Jr.; and brother-in-law, Fred “Chicky” Puleo.
Survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Carol (nee Goldberg); daughter, Suzanne (Marty) Golia; son, Dwight (Jen) Roth; grandchildren Nathan (Amy), Roy, Zane, and Leo Golia, Leah Green, Heather (Eric) and Michael Stewart; four great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Ernie (Mae) Goldberg; sister-in-law, Alice Puleo; and several nieces and nephews.
Born April 8, 1932 in Kingston, PA, Don grew up in nearby Forty Fort. After graduating from Forty Fort High School, he earned a BA from Bloomfield College (NJ), and an M. Div. from Bloomfield Theological Seminary.
Don met his soul mate, Carol Ann Goldberg of Clifton, NJ, during his college years, and they were married in 1955. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church for nearly 60 years, Don served as an installed pastor in six churches: First Presbyterian, Mexico, NY; First Presbyterian, Cairo, IL; First Presbyterian, Ashley PA; Second Welsh Presbyterian, Wilkes-Barre, PA; First Presbyterian, Dunmore PA; and Disciples of Christ, Dunmore. When Carol’s job brought them to Rochester in 1979, he began a new stage of ministry as an interim pastor. Over 24 years, he served in 22 churches mostly in Western and Central New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, and Western Florida.
Devoted to family, church, and community, Don followed his faith as an activist in the civil rights and social justice movements. In the 1970s, he was elected to the Dunmore (PA) School Board and served as its president. During that time he was also active in the Dunmore Rotary Club and served on the Planned Parenthood board in Scranton, PA.
A service celebrating Don’s life will be held Saturday, May 5th, at 1:00 p.m. at Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St., Rochester. In lieu of flowers, donation in Don’s name may be made to Third Presbyterian.
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