Terrence Kenneth Orvis
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 Aug. 11, 2024.
Terry was born in Elyria in 1937 to Suzanne (nee 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’s degree in 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 and the U.S. Navy Data Center in Cleveland.
Terry and his college sweetheart, Bonnie Boyer (nee Pearce), married and lived in Shaker Heights with their children, Stacia, Ginger and Ryan, before moving to Chardon in 1977 to a home 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, the 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. (nee Murbach) Orvis; sisters, Patricia A. Mugford and Nichol L. Mitchell; brother, Timothy L. Orvis; and nephew Jonathan Jacob Mitchell.
A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at The West Woods Nature Center, 9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township, on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s memory to Hospice of the Western Reserve or the Foundation for Geauga Parks.
