Roger Michael Papajohn, Sr.

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 States Army, and served faithfully from 1954 to 1956. Upon returning home, he pursued higher education at New York 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. A dedicated 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 grandsons Aodhan 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 the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

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, VA 22902 or on the Tribute Wall.