Lewis Andrews Sutherland

The world lost a true original on Friday, May 17th, 2013.  Lewis Andrews Sutherland passed away peacefully with his family telling funny stories & sharing memories by his side.  Depending on how you knew him, you may have called him Pop, Andy, Lou, Jesse Charles, JC, or even Left Reverend.  His interests as well as his potential names were vast.  During his ample life he was a "Legitimate Business Man", actor, bongo player, standup comedian, music lover, grass mower, hole-in-one golfer, and constant practical jokester.  

His practical joke co-conspirators, as well as frequent victims were his brothers, Jesse Charles Sutherland (deceased), survived by Judy, Stephen Ray Sutherland (deceased), survived by Jenny, and his sister Wanda Louise Schimpf (John) of Lykens, Ohio who survives.  He was not only a wonderful father but also best friend to his sons, Greg Sutherland (Wapello, Iowa) and Brian Sutherland (Michelle) (Tiffin, Ohio). Nothing meant more to him than family, he loved his grandchildren Levi, Jacob, & Savannah (Greg) immensely and routinely cheered them on from the stands at their sporting events.  He made it a point to attend at least one game of every sporting interest they had throughout the years.  Also surviving is his lady companion and kindred spirit, Carrie Pirrotta, whom he shared the finer things of life with.  His love & support extended to his numerous nieces, nephews & special loved ones and he would always make an appearance at graduations, weddings, concerts, games, and plays.  His generosity and support extended beyond family to many individuals who throughout the years sought refuge or wished to make a new start.  Lou opened his home to all who needed it. 

 His life began in Richlands, Virginia where he was born on July 27th, 1948 to Mary (Jackson) and George Sutherland (both deceased).  He lived the majority of his youth and young adult years in Lykens and Columbus, Ohio before moving to Orlando, Florida in 1976.  He moved his family to Orlando to begin a successful real estate title insurance business that continues today.  He took on a partner and confidant in Heather Stephenson and for more than 25 years they have built Mortgagee Title Services into a family business with their children working with them at some point throughout the years.  He was also involved in the local theatre community performing in over 20 plays.  In 1990, Jesse and fellow cast members represented Civic Theatre of Central Florida's (and the United States) production of Doubles in an international amateur theatre festival sponsored by the American Association of Community Theatre which included 15 theatre groups from more than a dozen countries.  Doubles placed second in the competition and Jesse was chosen one of four best performers at the festival. 

He knew how to tell a good story and did he ever have some stories to tell. He made everyone around him laugh.  There were a few things that didn’t make him laugh which included being called Louie (“not even my mother calls me Louie!”), getting sneezed on and candy canes. He loved THE Ohio State Buckeyes, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Ballreich's Potato Chips, Macaroons, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, being unpredictable, never throwing anything away, motorcycles, classic cars (including his most recent purchase; an El Camino), yelling “Who De Who!” as he drove away and his sister Wanda’s homemade canned sweet pickles and anything she cooked from her fresh garden on the farm.  

A celebration of his life will be held at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (Goldman Theater) Orlando, FL on June 28th at 7:00pm with a gathering immediately following in the Darden Courtyard.  The family asks that in lieu of flowers, people become involved in "Be the Match" national bone marrow registry or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (lls.org).

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