Roy E. Ditto, at 101 years old passed away peacefully on February 8, 2023 with his family beside him at Maplewood Assisted Living Home in Chardon Ohio. Roy was born March 10, 1921 in Chesterland Ohio to Dale W. Ditto and Mary S. (Whitman). Chesterland was Roy’s home his whole life. He worked as a carpenter for over 50 years and belonged to the union. Roy married Phyllis Barstow on January 2, 1946. He built the home the lived in for over 75 years where they raised their 3 children together. Roy had a long and meaningful life, he would always lend a hand to anyone in need. He enjoyed caring for their home working outside in the yard. Roy loved taking Phyllis to the dance hall at Painesville Park where they would meet good friends and dance the night away. Another favorite pass time was playing cards with a group of friends they went to school with and grew up together and he outlived them all.
In 2008 Roy was bestowed upon him the title “Keeper of the Cane” in Chesterland. He is the third generation of our family to have this title over the last 85 years, there have only been 21 “keepers”. He was honored to have the cane for as long as he did. The house he was born in is still standing on Mulberry Rd. A reminder that things were built to stand the test of time back then and so did he. In his life time there has seen 18 presidents, 4 wars, and a world that went from simple to complex. He was a son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a great-great-grandfather, a man of few words but when he did speak people listened. Roy is predeceased by his father & mother Dale W. Ditto, Mary (Whitman) Ditto, by his sister Gerrie Crotty, Donna (nee Wendt) Tursic, Dorothy (nee Wendt) Paglio, and Son-in-Law Tom Havlicek. He is survived by his wife of 77 years Phyllis, Daughters Peggy Havlicek, Nancy Aloi (Phillip), Son Dale Ditto, Grand Daughters Stacie Malone (Jeff), Lindsey Nelson, Tiffanie Petty (Virgil), Kelly Alisesky (Dan), Karen Roderick (Josh), Anita Mehmood (Asher), Grand Sons Tim Howson, Bob Havlicek (Karianne), Brad Aloi (Brittani) Great Grand Daughters Lauren Malone, Allison Malone, Jordan Malone, Megan MacCartney, Grayson Howson, Maggie, Harper, Laurel, Emma, Ella, Dani, Morgan, Nayah, Great grand sons Cody Howson, Liam Nelson, Austin MacCartney, Xavier, Kasen, Zion, and Great-Great-Great Grandson Cole Schneider (Allison Malone). Family and friends may call at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Rd., Chesterland on Sunday 2-5 pm, where services will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 11:00 am. Interment in Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland. Memorial donations in Roy’s name may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve at www.hospicewr.org Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GattozziandSon.com for the Ditto family.
