Cary Michael Root
Cary Michael Root age 71 passed away peacefully on January 6, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of Barbara (nee Budimlic). Cherished father of Stefanie (Matthew) Sullivan and Stacie (Carl) Emshoff and his stepchildren Lauren (Brandon) Cantwell and Shawn (Elza) McKinney. Proud "Papa" to his granddaughters Ellie and Emma Emshoff and Josie and Savannah Sullivan. Loyal "fur dad" to Bella, Riley, Callie, Jade & Hunter. He is preceded in death by his mother Bernadine "Bunny" Cimbalo (nee Waller). He is also survived by his father Sherman Root, sister Cheryl Clark & brothers Dan (Meg) and Ken ( Beth) Root.
Cary was born on November 14,1951 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Purdue University where he achieved Bachelors and Masters degrees. Cary worked at Burroughs Corporation and at Cleveland Consulting Associates before founding Root-InfoTech in 1981. He was a trusted advisor to his clients with over 40 years of experience in IT and training. He served on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau, Ohio Commerce Bank, Jewish Family Service Association, the BBB Educational Foundation and the Solon Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he volunteered his IT experience with Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, Virginia, Children’s Tumor Foundation, and Breakthrough Charter Schools.
Cary loved his family and pets fiercely and was a trusted friend and colleague to so many. He was well known for his generosity, eternal optimism, perpetual smile and positive attitude. He was constantly mistaken for Chuck Norris as he loved mixed martial arts and was considered as tough and courageous as they come. He held black belts in Karate, Shito Fu and Muay Thai and was a Krav Maga Master Instructor at Asian Sun in Hudson. He recently achieved his Master level third degree black belt from USKMA in Krav Maga while still undergoing chemotherapy.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. The family is requesting donations to Friends of CITY DOGS Cleveland at https://friendsofcitydogscleveland.com/donate . A special thank you to Dr. Dale Shepard and the entire Oncology team at Taussig Cancer Center for the amazing care that they provided during his 7 year battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. The family also wants to recognize Corrine, Bridget & the staff at Miracle City Hospice for the kindness and care that they provided to Cary and his family.