[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 11, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2650-H2651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JONATHAN FORD ORSER

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Jonathan Ford Orser.
  Jonathan was a devoted family man, public servant, community pillar, 
and proud son of northwestern Ohio.
  Born into the Ford family, whose vision helped build northwestern 
Ohio's glass manufacturing legacy, John Orser lived a life shaped by 
service to his family, his country, his city, and his neighbors.
  From his time in the U.S. Marine Corps, which he didn't have to do, 
to his diplomatic service in Africa and his amazing leadership as mayor 
of Perrysburg, Ohio, John never ceased working for the greater good.
  By launching the Perrysburg Farmers Market, he brought new life to 
his hometown of historic Perrysburg, Ohio. He nurtured the arts as a 
generous benefactor of Toledo Symphony and its zoo and preserved the 
history for future generations to come. He was unselfish.
  His legacy includes more than buildings or institutions. His lasting 
legacy lives on in the lives of people and communities he inspired time 
and time again.
  John's deep commitment to civic duty, his boundless generosity, and 
his reverence for tradition marked every chapter of his productive 83 
years.
  We offer our deepest condolences to his beloved wife and first mate, 
Deborah, who walked in life with him every step of the way.
  May she and his enormous extended family, numerous friends, and all 
who cherish his memory be blessed with gratitude and the memory of a 
generous, kind, and patriotic American who left his community and 
America a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the Record the 
obituary of Jonathan Orser.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Barrett). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.

                        Jonathan Orser Obituary


                          jonathan ford orser

       Jonathan Ford Orser, 83, or ``Jon'' as he was referred, 
     passed away peacefully on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, with 
     his loving wife of 28 years, Deborah L. Born, and family at 
     his side. He was born to Horace Gilbert Orser and Grace Ford 
     Orser on May 03, 1942, at Toledo Hospital in Toledo, OH. Jon 
     was great-grandson of Caroline Ross Ford and Edward Ford, 
     founder of the Edward Ford Plate Glass Company. This company, 
     which became the Libbey Owens Ford Glass Company (LOF), later 
     merging with Pilkington Glass.
       Jon grew up in Perrysburg and enjoyed playing little league 
     baseball with his friend, Roger Mericle, and being with 
     friends and family. As a youth, he would often swim at his 
     grandmother, Grace Ford's, pool at the Belmont Farm where he 
     often celebrated holidays with family. Jon attended Elm 
     Street School (now known as Toth Elementary), and Junior High 
     at the old Perrysburg High School now known as the Commodore 
     Building. He then attended Prep School at Brooks School in 
     North Andover, MA, where he graduated on June 10, 1961. Jon 
     served the United States Marine Corps and honorably until his 
     discharge.
       Jon went to college at the University of Pennsylvania where 
     he played ``150 football'' and was a member of the Zeta Psi 
     Fraternity in Philadelphia. He graduated in 1966 with a 
     Baccalaureate degree in Political Science.
       Upon graduation, Jon worked for the United States' State 
     Department in Washington, D.C. He was stationed in Africa 
     where he lived in both the countries of Chad and the Ivory 
     Coast. Jon was fluent in both French and Arabic languages.
       In 1976 Jon began playing with the Toledo Celtics Rugby 
     Club. He served as President of the Club in the early 1980's. 
     As club President, he organized a club trip to Ireland and in 
     2024 he was inducted into the Toledo Celtics Rugby Club Hall 
     of Fame.
       Jon was active in the Democratic Party and local politics. 
     In 1979-1980 he worked for Jimmy Carter for President in the 
     4th and 5th Districts in Ohio. He was an elected Democratic 
     precinct committeeman and Perrysburg City Councilman, 
     President of City Council, and served as Mayor of Perrysburg. 
     During the period Jon was Mayor, he developed the concept of 
     the Farmer's Market in Perrysburg with planning meetings 
     being held in the living room of his home. He was passionate 
     about its positive health, economic and cultural impacts for 
     the community. The ribbon cutting was held in May of 1999. He 
     attended the 25th anniversary of the Farmer's market in 2024 
     where he was again asked to cut the ribbon.
       Among his other achievements and recognitions was the Ohio 
     Democratic and Wood County Democratic Executive Committees as 
     well as the Perrysburg Democratic Committee where he served 
     as President as was named ``Man of the Year'' in 1987.
       Jon was passionate about the arts. He was on the Toledo 
     Zoological Board of Trustees, and also the Toledo Symphony 
     Board of Trustees. A significant supporter of the Toledo Zoo, 
     Jon was a generous donor of the Tembo Trail in memory of his 
     mother, Grace Ford Orser.
       While on the Board of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, he 
     purchased a ``Steinway in D'' piano for the symphony ensuring 
     the orchestra has a world class instrument from which to 
     perform. Music from this piano, ``The Jonathan F. Orser 
     Piano'' is featured in many performances to this day. Along 
     with the piano, Jon also endowed a piano chair for the 
     Symphony with Valrie Kantorsky serving as piano chair. He was 
     on the President's Council of the Toledo Museum of Art and 
     was a member of the Georgia Welles Apollo Society. Jon's 
     family were founding members of the Carranor Hunt and Polo 
     club and he was a member there for many years.
       Jon's favorite holiday was Independence Day and annually 
     threw a ``4th of July Party'' on the grounds of his home. He 
     and Deborah immensely enjoyed entertaining friends and family 
     at various functions, but the annual 4th of July event was 
     Jon's favorite event. He also had a passion for traveling and 
     was always interested to learn new cultures and cuisines.
       Jon's love of Perrysburg was reflected in his efforts with 
     historic preservation. He was the investor-owner of 
     Perrysburg Heritage LLC whereby he acquired and preserved 
     historic properties for generations to come. Jon and his 
     mother, Grace Ford Orser, established the Horace Gilbert 
     Orser Scholarship for a Perrysburg High School student who 
     qualifies for one of twelve Ivy League Schools.
       Those who knew Jon would describe him as generous, 
     intelligent, humorous and

[[Page H2651]]

     thoughtful. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace 
     and Horace; his father-in-law, Ronald C. Born; his half-
     brother Peter R. Orser and his wife Caroline Orser; and half-
     brother Stanton Orser, and Cousin Stephanie ``Stepper'' 
     LeBoutillier. He is survived by his loving wife Deborah L. 
     Born; Sister-in-Law Janet Orser, mother-in-Law Janet M. Born, 
     sister-in-law Karen Rybczynski (Terry), brother-in-law 
     Douglas Born, niece Caroline C. Born; cousins Ford 
     LeBoutillier, Phil LeBoutillier (Kent), George LeBoutillier, 
     Grace Ford, and Milton (Tony) and Debbie Knight. He is also 
     survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.
       There will be a private burial for family. A celebration of 
     life wi11 be announced this month.
       Memorial contributions are encouraged for the following: 
     The Toledo Symphony Orchestra, The Toledo Museum of Art, The 
     Toledo Zoological Society.

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