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Dr. LeRoy “Lee” Philip Roesti Jr., 80, joined the heavenly choir on Friday, Nov. 17, surrounded by music, prayers and loving family. 

LeRoy “Lee” was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota to LeRoy Sr. and Margaret Kirn Roesti. From an early age, Lee was a prodigy with piano and composition. Raised as a preacher’s kid in rural Minnesota, he attended a one-room schoolhouse and hung around the church as much as possible for the music and delicious potlucks. Summers were spent fishing and camping on Lake Huron on Bois Blanc Island. LeRoy was salutatorian of his high school and studied music at Luther College, and North Central College. He earned his doctorate in piano from West Virginia University. LeRoy married Cora Ackerly and they raised two daughters, Darlena Butler-Roesti and Susanna (Susan) Halliday. 

Dr. Roesti created countless compositions for piano, orchestra and voice, while also serving the Lord as a gifted choir director, organist and pianist for colleges and churches, retiring in February 2016 from the Farmville Presbyterian Church. Dr. Roesti published three compositions: Give Me Jesus, How Silently and The Miracle of Christmas Day. He also composed a musical, “The Balladeer” and a tri-tonal mass “Misse Tritone.” 

Lee enjoyed watching WVU football and any college basketball game. He loved visiting the Christmas train display at Bevell’s Hardware in Blackstone and couldn’t turn down a slice of a well-made lemon meringue pie. Known to Isabelle, Kenneth, Troy, and Cecelia as ‘Dad Dad,’ he was a loving grandfather, and saved every card and picture they created. Lee leaves a legacy of music appreciation and lifelong faith. 

LeRoy is preceded in death by his wife, Cora. 

LeRoy is survived by his daughters: Darlena Roesti-Butler (Maryland) and Susan Halliday (Farmville) and his brother, Frederick Roesti (Michigan). 

A memorial service will be held at Johns Memorial Episcopal Church in Farmville, on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. Fellowship and reception will follow in the church’s parish hall. 

The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the kind staff of Centra Southside Community Hospital and The Woodland of Farmville. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Dr. Roesti’s name to Farmville’s F.A.C.E.S. Food Pantry or Meals-on-Wheels of Prince Edward County. 

Shorter Funeral Home is serving the family. shorterfuneralhome.com