Stephen L. Root, 93, formerly of Root Orchards in Great Barrington, Mass., passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on December 22, 2020.
He was born to Dr. Maurice T. and Dr. Sophie T. Root of West Hartford, Conn., on November 10, 1927. He served in the Army during peaceful times, stationed in Germany and then Japan in the early 1950s. He attended Kenyon College in Ohio and the University of Massachusetts, earning degrees in Pomology, and Education. He was a plant science teacher at Smith Vocational High School for many years. He always loved tending to apple orchards, vegetable gardens, and his farm. The farm was his pride and joy, where he planted corn and vegetables, and picked apples.
Mr. Root is survived by his elder brother, John Root, his former wife Adelaide (Babs) Gross, and his four children, Stephen W. and his wife Angela, David P., Adelaide (aka Delsie) H. Dunn and her husband Jeremy, and Thomas L. and his wife Karen and adopted son John A. He also leaves six grandchildren, Stephen M. Root of Cannan, N.Y., Amanda Kennedy of Goochland, Va., Dr. Rachelle A. Gayle of Pittsfield, Mass., Lynn Root of New York, N.Y., Matthew T. Root and Nicholas A. Root of Barkhamsted, Conn., and seven great-grandchildren, Matilda Root, Freya Root, Finley Root, Hollis Root, Maya Gayle, Rayah Gayle, and Gage Gayle of Pittsfield, Mass., and George Kennedy of Goochland, Va., all of whom he loved dearly. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two older siblings, Mary R. Saunders and Timothy, and his grandson Daniel R. Root.
Services will be held at a later date.
To send remembrances to his family, please visit www.finnertyandstevens.com.
