Dr. LeRoy "Lee" Philip Roesti, Jr., 80, joined the heavenly choir on Friday, November 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 3 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, Virginia on

December 9 at 3 p.m. Fellowship and reception will follow in the church's parish hall