Over three years after the death of local newspaper editor Roger Di Paolo, the prolific Kent chronicler now has a headstone. But leave it to Di Paolo to shake things up — the headstone is at his feet.
Di Paolo’s son, Brian Di Paolo, explained the chain of events that led to the unusual placement during an unveiling ceremony for the headstone, held Aug. 9 at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent.
Roger’s husband, Tim Krasselt, knew that Roger had selected a plot. The pair planned to be laid to rest side by side with a double headstone marking their eternal resting place.
Tim and Roger reasoned that the vacant spot next to Roger would be perfect for Tim when his time came, so they ordered the double headstone.
What Tim and Brian Di Paolo didn’t know was that Roger had selected a different plot so he could spend eternity next to his mother, Pauline Soule, who died in 2015.
Call it, as Tim did, “another Roger surprise.”
To make matters worse, another family owned the vacant spot next to Roger, and Tim and Brian were unable to locate the owners.
It seemed that either Roger would have to be moved, or he and his husband would not be laid to rest side by side as they’d planned.
Ever resourceful, Brian and Tim conceived of a way to please everyone.
Roger is indeed buried next to his mother, and his headstone was placed at his feet, in a row of plots where he and Tim had originally purchased their plots. To ensure that they are together for eternity, Tim said he plans on being cremated and being laid to rest in the same plot as his husband.
“This is where dad always wanted to be. He is with some of the most important people in his life,” Brian said. “Our extended Siciliano clan calls this ‘the unofficial family plot.’ Dad is buried next to his mother Pauline and her husband Harvey Soule. He is caddy corner with his sister Linda’s husband Paul, who passed away many years ago. Nearby are Aunt Elda and Uncle Sammy. He is also nearby many of his numerous cousins and relatives.”
Roger died June 18, 2021, at 66 years of age. Besides being a long-time editor-in chief of the Record-Courier, he was a local historian, member of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library board of trustees and champion of all things Kent. He was also instrumental in helping to launch The Portager.
Brian said he and Tim went “back and forth” on Roger’s epitaph, wanting one that was “sentimental but not to the point of being hokey.”
They succeeded. The inscription reads, “A great man who told the story of Kent. May he forever be part of its history.”
“Roger was a very special person,” Tim said. “He was a great part of this community.” Roger’s friends, and the community he loved so much, wrapped its arms around Tim after Roger’s death, and hasn’t yet let go. For that, thanks are due, Tim said.
Though Brian characterized himself and Tim as broken men after Roger’s death, they have dedicated themselves to carrying on his legacy of community service. Two scholarships have been set up in his name: one with Kent State University’s Wick Poetry Center and one with the King-Kennedy and Skeels-Mathews community centers in Ravenna for graduating seniors.
Tim and Brian also plan on creating a website to memorialize Roger. They envision a virtual space where people can listen to Roger’s oral history of May 4, 1970, interviews he did with any number of people, enjoy his memories, share stories, listen to music he liked and appreciate his poetry, art and writings. The website will include links to purchase his books and make donations to the scholarship funds.
They also hope to laminate some QR codes on the back of Roger’s head (or foot) stone so people can easily find the website while they are paying their respects.
Tim and Brian also hope to self-publish a coffee table book of Roger’s poetry, photography and artwork.
Brian closed with a poem he wrote on what would have been his father’s 67th birthday. The ending stanza bright tears to the attendees’ eyes:
“My father’s name
Was Roger,
I was his only son,
I was his only one and I’m a lucky one.
To Roger.”
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.