Roger Michael Papajohn passed away Sunday, September 10.
Born in New York City, July 30, 1933, Roger worked in his father’s store from a young age, and was of Greek-Cypriot
heritage. He was drafted into the United StatesArmy, and served faithfully from 1954 to 1956. Upon returning home, he
pursued higher education at NewYork University and, a decade later, Adelphi University.
In September 1961, Roger married Lydia Martin, a recent immigrant to the United States from Germany, and the pair
remained together until her passing in June 2023. Adedicated family man, he devoted himself to his wife and their two
children, Michele and Roger Jr.
Roger’s education and work ethic allowed him to purchase a house in Coram, N.Y., where the family spent the majority of
their time together. In 1993, the Papajohn's would eventually settle in Virginia, where Roger and Lydia would remain for
the rest of their lives. He would later welcome into the family grandsonsAodhan and Alexander from Michele, and
granddaughter Kassandra from Roger Jr.
He was a proud part of Charlottesville’s burgeoning Greek community; taking an active role in the local Orthodox Church
for decades, and as a member of theAmerican Hellenic Educational ProgressiveAssociation.
Roger passed away at Martha Jefferson Memorial Hospital in the company of his daughter and grandson, shortly after his
90th birthday, and three months after the loss of his wife, Lydia. He was preceded in death by his older brother, John, and
is survived by his younger brother, Nicholas.
All are welcome to attend the funeral service to be held on Wednesday, September 20, at 11 a.m. at the Transfiguration
Greek Orthodox Church, 100 Perry Dr, Charlottesville, VA. Interment will follow the service at Holly Memorial Gardens,
3251 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, VA.
Flowers and condolences may be sent to Hill and Wood Funeral Services, 201 1st St. N, Charlottesville, VA22902 or on
the Tribute Wall.