Obituaries

John Borgia

March 22, 2023

John Borgia

John Borgia, 92, died at Memorial Home in Norwalk, Ohio March 22, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Cleveland, OH, on January 3, 1931, to Anthony and Mary Borgia. His mother moved John and his brothers Ross, Joseph, and James to Norwalk, where his grandparents settled after relocating to the United States from Sicily. John married the former Audrey Strong on July 4, 1952. They were happily married for 65 years. John was a graduate of the Norwalk City Schools where he was a proud member of the band and a varsity athlete who participated on the football and basketball teams. After high school he joined the U.S Army. He was subsequently hired as a Huron County Sheriff’s Deputy by Sheriff Harry Broom. Following Sheriff Broom’s death, he ran for and was elected to the office of Sheriff and served six successive terms from 1961 to 1985. As Sheriff, John also served in several state level positions with the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, ultimately as President. John was a committed law enforcement officer and community leader who was sought by local, state, and federal level law enforcement and political leaders for his counsel. He also served one term as Norwalk Mayor. In his spare time over the years, he umpired softball, served as a basketball referee, worked as an officer of the Municipal Court, and volunteered to support school student events at St. Paul Catholic Church where he and Audrey were members.

He enjoyed fishing, playing cards with friends, and took the occasional trip to his favorite casinos.

John and Audrey had four children, Stan (Beverley) Borgia; Diana (John) McCarty; Donna (Steve) Barber, and Cindy (Drew) Holwerda. They had ten grandchildren, Lindsey Borgia, Melissa (Chad) Engle, Christine (Troy) Flodin, Jackie (Scott) Haynes, Autumn Purdy, Kelly (Fred) Stevens, Tyler (Hope) Barber, and Graham Borgia, as well as ten great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his wife Audrey, his mother Mary, his brothers, two grandsons, Nicholas Borgia and Jason Barber and many dear family members.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk with interment to follow at St. Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 or Southern Care Hospice, 9501 US Hwy 250 N., Suite 2, Milan, OH 44846.

View Printable Version

John Borgia

John Borgia, 92, died at Memorial Home in Norwalk, Ohio March 22, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. John was born in Cleveland, OH, on January 3, 1931, to Anthony and Mary Borgia. His mother moved John and his brothers Ross, Joseph, and James to Norwalk, where his grandparents settled after relocating to the United States from Sicily. John married the former Audrey Strong on July 4, 1952. They were happily married for 65 years. John was a graduate of the Norwalk City Schools where he was a proud member of the band and a varsity athlete who participated on the football and basketball teams. After high school he joined the U.S Army. He was subsequently hired as a Huron County Sheriff’s Deputy by Sheriff Harry Broom. Following Sheriff Broom’s death, he ran for and was elected to the office of Sheriff and served six successive terms from 1961 to 1985. As Sheriff, John also served in several state level positions with the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association, ultimately as President. John was a committed law enforcement officer and community leader who was sought by local, state, and federal level law enforcement and political leaders for his counsel. He also served one term as Norwalk Mayor. In his spare time over the years, he umpired softball, served as a basketball referee, worked as an officer of the Municipal Court, and volunteered to support school student events at St. Paul Catholic Church where he and Audrey were members.

He enjoyed fishing, playing cards with friends, and took the occasional trip to his favorite casinos.

John and Audrey had four children, Stan (Beverley) Borgia; Diana (John) McCarty; Donna (Steve) Barber, and Cindy (Drew) Holwerda. They had ten grandchildren, Lindsey Borgia, Melissa (Chad) Engle, Christine (Troy) Flodin, Jackie (Scott) Haynes, Autumn Purdy, Kelly (Fred) Stevens, Tyler (Hope) Barber, and Graham Borgia, as well as ten great grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his wife Audrey, his mother Mary, his brothers, two grandsons, Nicholas Borgia and Jason Barber and many dear family members.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, March 31, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk with interment to follow at St. Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations to St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 or Southern Care Hospice, 9501 US Hwy 250 N., Suite 2, Milan, OH 44846.

Leave a Message

Online Condolences

John T Kelley

Norwalk, OH, United States
April 01, 2023

Mr. Borgia for me was a good friend of my father and for me a terrific 5th grade basketball coach, he inspired me to always do my best! From that point on in my life he was always looking out for me, I'll never forget his kindness. God Bless his family.

Marilyn Kamm

New London, OH, USA
March 28, 2023

John was such a nice man. He was yet another one of the good guys that you could depend on to always step up. I knew John while working at Citizen's National Bank and I lived on West League. He was a fine man and always a friend. My sympathy and prayers to his family .

Donald Goretzki

Norwalk, OH
March 27, 2023

I first met John at the Carriage house. I will miss our talks in the morning.
Everyday he would come down and have 1 orange 2 hard boiled eggs and a cup of raisins.
Rest in piece John.

Bob & Karen Ringholz

Spring, TX, USA
March 25, 2023

Mr. Borgia was a sweet man…I knew him from Norwalk Memorial Home were my mom lives. He will be missed by the staff, residents and their families. God help your family get through this hard time

Joyce Seitz

March 25, 2023

May God be with you during this difficult time. He is at peace with your mom. With deepest condolence.

Top