John J. Roth, age 72, of Oxford, Michigan passed away December 20, 2021, with his family at his side. He was born Donauschwaben in a Zaječar, Yugoslavia Prisoner Work Camp on April 21, 1949. John immigrated at the age of six as a “Displaced Persons” to Detroit, Michigan with his parents Peter and Anna Roth and his sister Hilda Coleman.
John is survived by his wife Kathleen Paonessa Roth of 50 years, his daughters Katrina Oliver (Brian Oliver) and Anna Kristine Moceri (Francesco Moceri), his sister Hilda Coleman and her family, his three grandchildren and a multitude of wonderful family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Anna Roth, and brother-in-law Roscoe Coleman.
Those that knew John will tell you he was truly one of a kind! A teacher of 35 years and selected as the Outstanding Social Studies Teacher by the Michigan Council for Social Studies. He wanted to relieve world suffering by educating his students about personal growth. If asked what subjects he taught, his response was LIFE. He wanted his students to learn about themselves and make a difference in the world. As an activist, John’s passion was always to help ease the suffering of the world through service work. This included building a well in a developing country, raising thousands of dollars to remove landmines, supporting children through UNICEF, and committing to a vegan way of life. John lived in a constant endeavor of making the planet a better place.
In his retirement John found joy in riding the roads of Northern Michigan and Appalachia on his Harley motorcycle for many years. In 2015 he began an exploration of woodworking that led him to becoming a master woodworker in just a few short years.
His work and children carry his love into the world upon his passing.
A celebration of life date will be determined and announced by his family. In lieu of flowers please support the work John was so passionate about by making a donation in his name to either Farmers Footprint: A path to soil health and food indepence https://farmersfootprint.us or UNICEF: Helping save children’s lives
unicefusa.org
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