Roy Croop's Obituary
Roy Croop. Family man, hotelier.Look up the definition of hospitality and you will find a description fitting of Roy;the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors or strangers.Although known for his quick wit and irreverent quotes, Roy’s oft-used phrase was “when is everybody getting here?”He loved hosting friends, family and strangers in his home, whether they were his kids’ ravenous post-game teammates, their college schoolmates evacuating Florida’s hurricanes, or the frequent weekenders with dogs in tow, convening at his home to attend Atlanta’s Kennel Club shows.Roy found the industry that suited this spirit, serving guests and mentoring employees for 42 years in the hotel business. After 25 years spent working his way through the ranks at Winegardner & Hammonds, Roy took a chance with the young hotel company Noble Investment Group, operating their first full-service hotel in 2001. After 17 years, Roy retired from his Noble family as Senior Vice President of Asset Management.Roy was born in Berwick PA and enjoyed returning there for reunions with aunts, uncles and cousins. He moved to different towns throughout his childhood but identified most strongly with western Pennsylvania and his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.On Thursday June 6 Roy died at his home in Cape Coral, Florida after a nine-month battle with advanced renal cell carcinoma.Roy’s overriding passion was for his family. He imbued in his children a sense of integrity, hard work and honor. He listened intently and gave them patient perspective that was tempered with pragmatism and humor. Roy is survived by his children Lauren Rodriguez (husband Ricael, grandchildren Sebastian, Isabelle, Rico and Cruz); Ethan Croop (wife Erin and grandson Embry); son Trevor Croop, and Carol, his wife and soulmate of 45 years.Although Roy’s job moved him around the country he held his extended family and longtime friends close. No matter where he lived he made two annual pilgrimages, his trip to northern Michigan for golf with his buddies from his Lansing MI days, and his vacation at the Outer Banks with his large and unruly extended family.Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Janet Croop, his dear friend John Rosendahl, and his heart dog, the four pound rescue Piccolo.The family will receive friends in Roy’s home on Sunday afternoon, June 9th.A service will be held at the Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home at 10:30 am Monday June 10, to be followed by a graveside ceremony.
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