May 3, 1942 – May 26, 2025 Perrysburg, Ohio
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 3, 1942, at Toledo Hospital, in Toledo. Jon was greatgrandson 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 merged 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, Massachusetts, 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 U.S. 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 president, he organized a 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 1979-80, he worked for Jimmy Carter for President in the Fourth and Fifth 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 Farmers 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 farmers 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 and 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 on 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 12 Ivy League Schools.
Those who knew Jon would describe him as generous, intelligent, humorous and 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; 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); brotherin- law, Douglas Born; niece, Caroline C. Born; cousins, Ford LeBoutillier, Phil LeBoutillier (Kent), George LeBoutillier, Grace Ford, and Milton (Tony) and Debbie Knight. He also is survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.
There will be a private burial for family. A celebration of life will be announced this month.
Memorial contributions are encouraged for the following: •The Toledo Symphony Orchestra
•The Toledo Museum or Art
•The Toledo Zoological Society.
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