HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP — Thomas D. Apthorp, age 82, of Hambden Township, Ohio, passed away Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born August 24, 1927, in Cleveland, Ohio, he was a son of the late Grant T. and Violette (née: Barney) Apthorp. Thomas lived in East Cleveland before moving to the Chardon area in 1969. A Veteran, Mr. Apthorp served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Armstead Rust. On Dec. 28, 1996, he married Dorsey Mackey in Chardon.
Mr. Apthorp was an Industrial Engineer for Parker Hannifin Corporation from 1958 until 1978, when he joined Mentor Electric Corporation. He then joined Mercury Plastics until he left in 1986. During his tenure with Parker Hannifin, he managed several divisions through out the company. He was instrumental in the design of much of the equipment still in use today. Under his direction, Alpine Valley Ski Resort was built in 1965. He was the Chief Operating Officer and managed the facility until 2007.
Mr. Apthorp and his wife are the owner/operators of Phoenix Farms in Hambden Township. They raise and show Belgian Draft Horses. In earlier years, he was very instrumental with 4-H, The Great Geauga County Fair, the Lake and Ashtabula County Fairs, the Ohio State Fair and the Michigan State Fair.
He was a member of NASCAR and actively raced cars. He was an avid snow skier, enjoyed coin collecting, swimming and fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Dorsey (Mackey) Apthorp of Hambden Township, Ohio; children: Sherry (Mike) Baron of Ashtabula, Ohio, Scott (Terri) Apthorp of Munson Township, Ohio, Jim (Kathy) Apthorp of Surprise, Ariz., Fred Apthorp of Hambden Township, Ohio, Elizabeth Hagood of Munson Township, Ohio, and James D. Mackey II of Cleveland, Ohio; grandchildren, Rusty (Dawn) Chapek of Hambden Township, Melissa Apthorp of Thompson Township, Colin Apthorp of Arizona, Deanna Heiden of Munson Township, Danielle Apthorp of Newbury Township, Michelle Heiden of Munson Township and Lisa Apthorp of Munson Township; great-grandchildren, Mason, Dominic, Dion, Matthew, Shane and Natalie; and brother, Barney (Jackie) Apthorp of Thienesville, Wis.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Grant Apthorp.
A Celebration of his Life will be held 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13th, at THE BURR FUNERAL HOME, 116 South St., (on Route 44/Chardon Square), Chardon, Ohio. A private family burial will be held.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of the Service at the Funeral Home.
Donations may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 5786 Heisley Road, Mentor, Ohio 44060.
Arrangements by THE BURR FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE. Information and on-line condolences at www.burrservice.com and starbeacon.com
