Roger Alexander Ristich, a resident of Brighton, New York, passed away on December 08, 2017 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. After a valiant battle to live, he succumb to heart failure at four am. Roger was predeceased by his father, Alexander Srbin Ristich, and his mother Disma Velia nee Amato Ristich. He leaves his wife of 16 years, S Rose Huntress-Ristich of Brighton, New York, step children James Michael Glidden of Unalaska, Alaska, Hilary Ann nee Glidden Covert (Jason) of Henrietta, New York, and Jessica Michelle nee Glidden Bialon (Steve) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and a granddaughter Addie Covert of Jamestown, New York. He also leaves behind many cousins in the United States, Canada, Italy, Serbia, and Australia along with numerous friends and co workers from his many years at Delphi Automotive in Rochester, New York.
Roger was born in Rochester, New York on February 02, 1948. He was to be the only child of Disma nee Amato Ristich and Alexander Srbin Ristich. HIs mother was born and raised in Naples, Italy. His father was born in Bitola, Yugoslavia, and was raised an orphan only able to obtain a third grade education. Apprenticed as a cabinet maker/carpenter after third grade Alex later emigrated to the United States at the start of World War II in Europe. Alex went on to serve in North Africa in the artillery as a private in the US army. He was present at the liberation of Italy in Naples where he met Disma Velia Amato. He later brought her to the United States as a war bride. She did not become a United States citizen until a number of years after Roger was born.
Roger was a life long resident of New York State, Monroe County. He lived on Park Avenue in Rochester until he graduated from Monroe High School. Roger went on to attend RIT taking evening classes in engineering. He also attended MCC for auto technology, and took a year long auto body repair course at Monroe I BOCES. After working for 28 years at Delphi Automotive in assembly Roger took early retirement in 2006.
Roger loved to travel and took many vacations by boat including ocean liners and cruise ships. Extended European trips with long stays in Naples, Italy as a child, and more tropical climes later in life including South America, the Caribbean and Hawaii as well as a cruise to Alaska. He took many photos wherever he went to document the experience. Before his passing Roger was planning a trip to Egypt to see the pyramids, one of the few places he had never visited.
A private memorial service was held on December 30, 2017 at the LDS Chapel in Brockport, New York. Roger will be interred on May 01, 2018 in White Haven Memorial Park, Grave 2, Lot S-949, Section M, 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford, New York. Friends and family can pay their respects there with flowers or with donations to The American Heart Association in his name.