Roswell "Rossy The Barber" Ortt

December 21, 1917 - March 15, 2017

Roswell “Rossy, The Barber” Jacob Ortt, age 99, passed away late Wednesday, March 15th at The Gardens Poplar Estates in Columbia, TN.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 22nd at 9AM at Heritage Funeral Home with Father Davis Chackaleckel officiating. A burial will be held on Wednesday at 11AM at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Pegram with military honors provided by the United States Navy. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Ortt was born in Upper Milford Township, Emmaus, PA and was the son of the late Charles J. Ortt and the late Sadie F. “Shelly” Ortt. A World War II Veteran, Rossy served in the Navy’s Naval Armed Guard from 1942-1945. He was a 2nd gunner’s mate on an escort ship that was part of the PQ18 convoy to Murmansk, Russia, served on a transport ship carrying troops to the Battle of Sicily and a transport ship carrying General Patton’s troops to Normandy for which he received the medal he was most proud of, France’s French Legion Medal of Honor.

He was the owner and operator of Rossy’s Barber Shop at the corner of 6th and Ridge Streets in Emmaus, PA for many years before moving to Lewisburg, TN for a short time, Spring Hill, FL for many years and finally Columbia, TN.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Ethelbert and Woodrow Ortt; sisters: Geraldine Rice, Evelyn Hillegass, and Irene Frisoli.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his bride of 74 years, Margaret “Peggy” Ortt; son: Bryant Ortt of Billings, MT; daughter: Vivian Hardison of Belfast, TN; granddaughters: Michelle Rock of San Jose, CA, Bridgette Walsh of Lewisburg, Jessica Bartling of Cary, NC; grandson: Dan Ortt of Missoula, MT; great grandchildren: Sarah and Jake Blasingim, Rylan and Aidan Ortt, Naomi and Matthew Rock, Paxton and Cooper Bartling; sister-in-law: Irene Lipositz; and several nieces and nephews.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to Poplar Estates: 1310 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, TN 38401.