Memorials › Robert Harry "Rob" Sutton

Robert Harry "Rob" Sutton

21 Jul 1919 – 21 Jun 2005

Birth	21 Jul 1919
Death	21 Jun 2005
Cemetery	Saint Joseph's Cemetery Avon , Lorain County , Ohio , USA
Added by	Debra DJ Moran on 15 Jul 2021
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88443721

Bio

Robert Harry Sutton was born July 21st, 1919. He was the oldest child (of four) to Albert John Sutton and Margaret Coletta Freund-Sutton. He was named after two of his uncles (Robert E Smyth and Harry Coldicott Sutton). His middle name was legally Harry – not Harold. He was about 5'10", average to lean build, with blue eyes and slightly reddish blonde hair. When he was born, his parents were living at 3142 W. 52nd Street in Cleveland. This is mentioned because until 1957, he lived on West 52nd St at various addresses. The last one being at the house belonging to his in-laws (Ignatius & Martha Rini at 3156 ). * the lot is there, but the house has been torn down (about 2007). The Rini's had moved to West 52nd St.in about 1934 or 1935. It was when they moved to this location, that Rob met Nina for the first time. She was 13, and he was 17. Rob graduated from West Technical High School. By 1940, he was an assistant manager for A&P Grocery Store (which was considered a nice large grocery chain at the time – famous for their Eight-O'Clock -the red bag, BOKAR -the black bag, Red Dot -the yellow bag coffees). The couple applied for a marriage license in 1939, and again in 1941. Rob and Nina married Sept. 6th, 1941 at St. Boniface Church. Shortly afterwards, perhaps about late 1943, or early 1944, Rob was drafted into the Army. He served in Wichita Kansas as clerical staff to the officers. We know that in May of 1945, his wife Nina went to visit him there, and shortly thereafter, he returned home honorably discharged. – the war was ending / over. In about 1957, the family (now four daughters) moved to the West Park area (near Kamms Corner) of Cleveland. They gardened. They sometimes had a swimming pool. Rob worked at the US Postal Service in the Commercial Window, sorting mail for all the businesses in downtown Cleveland. At night and on weekends he sold real estate, and sometimes accompanied his brother Bill Sutton to 'shoot weddings' as professional photographers. He worked long hours to provide for his family. Not having sons, his daughters learned how to shoot (bb guns), fish, garden, bow & arrow, fly kites (the "right way"), how to swim, horseback ride, things about weather and so much more. Rob was a terrific father (and uncle) always kept in mind that the children should have fun while they learned. He took his family on driving vacations. And he played with his kids. On weekends, Rob and Nina and children would drive out to Ashtabula County and help Nina's parents with their home and garden. This included side trips and playing cards, free to wander the cow pastures and creeks and visiting relatives, AND tending to the graves of the great-grandparents Romig and Uncle Kenneth that are interned at nearby Footville. Nearing retirement, the couple moved to Westlake, a suburb of Cleveland. They enjoyed the property immensely. They travelled to Hawaii, California, Upper Lake Superior, and the Upper Peninsula, especially "the Soo Locks" of Michigan ( they loved it there), and even went to visit with their daughter living in Costa Rica. They became snowbirds and over-wintered at Palmetto Palms, a senior living community near Sanibel Island in Ft. Myers Florida. They decided to move there and become year-round residents. The first year they decided to go year round – Nina passed away from a massive coronary while playing tennis. (Nov. 1999) Rob was heartbroken because as he often said " She is My Girl". Nina was cremated and was in a nice fancy urn. Rob put that urn into a box that said "cookie jar" on it. Whenever he would travel away from home, he took Nina with him. His health began to diminish nearly immediately. An enlarged prostate led to a distended bladder, which precipitated the need for dialysis. Ultimately, he died from kidney failure with his devoted daughter Donna at his side. (June 2005) His cremains and those of his beloved wife Nina were both placed inside a vault at the Mausoleum at Saint Joseph's Cemetery. Family members in attendance placed a kite and a tennis ball in with the two urns as these represented moments in their lives that they enjoyed. Rob was the first of Albert & Margaret's children to die. He was predeceased by his parents and his wife Nina, and survived by his two sisters Marie Haynes and Florence Zangari, his brother Bill Sutton; his four daughters Nina, Gail, Donna & Deb; 9 nieces and nephews; and 9 grandchildren. This memorial bio is being placed on his birthday: July 21st. If he were still alive, he would have been 102 years old today. (7/21/21) ** WE REMEMBER *** 7/24/21: from niece Pam " I never forget your Dad's birthday. I have so many fond memories of him. One of my favorite is when we would be at grandma and grandpa's and he would pick me up by my ears. I would giggle so hard I would be tearing and he giggled with me. I can still see the twinkle in his eyes!! My Mom sure loved him...we all did." ***** 7/24/2021: daughter deb " Super Bowl 1967 - the First Televised - Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. My dad liked to make a sandwich of Limburger Cheese, a "Spanish" red onion, on heavy seeded rye bread. He'd have a strong beer and this was like heaven to him. Moreover, in a household full of females, it guaranteed that he could sit in the living room and watch the Super Bowl uninterrupted by requests to change the channel. The smell was so strong, that no one bothered him, and he got to watch the game in peace". (BTW - The Packers won 35 / 10 Kansas City)

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Family

Parents

Spouse

Nina May Rini Sutton 1923–1999 FaG

Siblings

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