Terrence Kenneth Orvis
Terrence Kenneth Orvis (1937 – 2024)
Terrence (Terry) Orvis is remembered as being fiercely independent, artistic, fun-loving, and a loyal friend, who enjoyed working with his hands, hosting gatherings at his woodland home, travel, gardening and working in his woods. He was a man who lived life (and death) on his own terms.
Terry, an architect and accomplished oil painter from Chardon, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of August 11, 2024.
Terry was born in Elyria in 1937 to Suzanne (Murbach) and Albert J. Orvis. He grew up with sisters Patsy and Nicki and brother Tim and formed lifelong friendships with schoolmates. He served in the National Guard and graduated from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Architecture. After college he moved to Cleveland and worked at William Dorsky and Associates, then at the Dalton-Dalton-Little and Newport Architects, Inc. (DDLN). He won design awards for Haven of Rest in Akron, Ohio and the US Navy Data Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
Terry and his college sweetheart Bonnie Boyer (Pearce) married and lived in Shaker Heights with their children Stacia, Ginger and Ryan before moving to Chardon in 1977 to a home that Terry designed and built, inspired by the woodlands surrounding it. Terry left DDLN to start his own business after the couple divorced in the 1980s. He partnered with best friend and neighbor Hank Penttila to form Orvis-Penttila Architects, before branching out on his own as Terrence K. Orvis Architects. Orvis-Penttila were known for many unique commercial and residential designs, and notably the Cleveland Heights Motorcars Honda dealership, preserving the historic Cleveland Heights City Hall entrance and incorporating it into the design.
In addition to his interest in design, Terry was a talented artist who enjoyed oil painting, music, photography, cooking, sailing, and travel. He reconnected with his love of painting and drawing in the 1990s, becoming active with the Murray Hill Drawing Group based in Cleveland. Terry was prolific in oil on canvas still-life, portraits, abstracts, and later volunteered for the Geauga Park District (GPD) to construct “glaciers” paint museum quality wall-sized backdrops for the GPD’s “Engage the Ice Age” exhibition.
Terry met Paige Hosier in 1994 and the two became inseparable. They hosted painting workshops at their home and embarked upon trips to Europe, Costa Rica, Mexico, Caribbean and cross-country USA. Terry and Paige married in 2012, and Terry became the stepfather of Paige’s children Erin, Michael, and Brian.
Terry is survived by spouse Paige Orvis, daughter Stacia (Chas) Littleton, son Ryan Orvis, stepdaughter Erin (Chris Gelles) Hosier, stepsons Michael (Suzanne) Hosier and Brian Hosier, grandchildren Charli and Seth Littleton, grandson Jackson Hosier, nephews Paul, Rod and John Mugford, and niece Brooke (Donnie) St. Peter.
He was preceded in death by daughter Ginger Caitlin Orvis, parents Albert J. and Suzanne L. (Murbach) Orvis, sisters Patricia A. Mugford and Nichol L. Mitchell, and brother Timothy L. Orvis, nephew Jonathan Jacob Mitchell.
A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Rd, Russell & Newbury Twps. 44072 on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s memory to Hospice of the Western Reserve, or the Foundation for Geauga Parks.