It is with heaviest of hearts that I share with you, Roland Pierre Jotterand, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. He slipped away with family at his side to Frank Sinatra’s song, “My Way.” He was 94 years young.
Born and raised in Switzerland, he became a mechanical engineer and emigrated to America where he met the love of his life, Odette Lavanchy. With his brilliant mind, determination, excessive hard work, effervescent personality and talent for sales, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a successful business owner of Jotterand Corporation and Escotronics, which continue to operate, carrying on his legacy.
Roland was an ever-present, bigger than life, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Roland loved helping people and was extremely generous in heart to family, friends and those in need. He loved being the center of attention, telling jokes and making people laugh. He loved gardening, flowers, birds, animals and cumulus clouds. He loved to play his accordion, listen to music, dance and yodel.
He loved his Swiss heritage and the Swiss Alps. He loved his Canadian lake house, his charming Swiss chalet and his beach house view. He loved French pastries, Swiss Chocolates and fish & chips, and making Swiss cheese fondues for parties and family. And he loved traveling. He always reminded us how blessed we were. For him to have come from so little and to have accomplished so much was truly remarkable.
Being a good Catholic, he attended church for 65 years, donating weekly to first St. Martha’s and then to St. Michael’s.
We loved his hilarious sense of humor, his laugh, his fantastic perpetual smile, and the way he loved to play with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The way he called the female family members “Chouchou” and the males “Good Buddy.” His nightly two-minute FaceTime calls to all of us, just to check in. His need for speed, even on a scooter, the way he was the worst back seat driver, and being the candy man that passed out hundreds of Lindt candy balls.
He simply loved Life.
Roland’s Celebration of Life will be held on May 13, 2023 at 10 AM at the Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34232.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Tidewell Hospice of Sarasota, to whom the family is extremely grateful for their kindness and care. Their website can be found at www.tidewellhospice.org.
The Rendezvous French Bakery has kindly offered to host light refreshments after the service. Please RSVP to 941-371-4754 by May 8, 2023.
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