The village has lost a true friend in Randy Berryhill
He may not have lived in town, but he was a part of its fabric
A little more than a week ago the community of Norwood was shocked to hear about the untimely passing of one they considered their own.
Randy Berryhill passed away on Feb. 7. Randy was not a resident of Norwood; however he was more of a Norwoodian than some of us who have lived here for years. As the owner and operator of the village’s popular take out eatery Wrap it Up ‘n Go, Randy was more in tune to the mechanics of Norwood then anyone.
I met Randy and his son Rob the day they opened in June 2008. I quoted him back then as saying “We look forward to serving you and being your friends.” It was a mission that he fulfilled over and over again.
His restaurant was very popular with adults and children and perhaps even more so with the students of the local schools. It didn’t matter if you were old or young, toddler or teenager it was impossible not to feel comfortable and at ease around the man.
His greeting was always the same: Your name (he had an uncanny ability to remember everyone), an infectious smile and a desire to know how you were doing. Randy apparently would tell his wife Cathy that he had three kids at home and 3,000 kids in Norwood. Many of these “kids” considered Randy a role model, a mentor and a father figure, as Randy said, “some of them even call me dad … except for the weird ones that call me Grandma.” Randy’s mission was to make sure you had a smile on your face to match his.
I will not even attempt to list the countless community organizations and people that Randy has helped over the years, regularly and quietly donating his incredible food to many events and causes. His subtle and timely counsel to the hundreds of teens and individuals that knew him and respected him, helped an entire generation to grow up into better adults and citizens.
Wrap it Up’s Facebook Page is flooded with tributes and there is no way I can summarize them and do them justice. His son Rob posted a touching tribute on the page and I hope he will not mind me paraphrasing from it as it epitomizes the feelings that his father had for Norwood and also how the village felt toward him. Randy considered himself retired as far as he was concerned, he didn’t come to work — he was just going to see his friends.
Randy Berryhill passed away suddenly on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, at the age of 55 years. Loving husband of Cathy Berryhill nee Burroughs of Brighton. Loving father of Randall “Randy,” Krista (Jeff ), and Robbie (Deejay). Proud grandpa of Jeffery, Jacob, Emily and Lydeea. Randy is survived by his siblings Cindy Berryhill (Allan Huycke), Tim Berryhill (Ronda), and predeceased by his brother Wally and his sister Judy Berryhill (Shannon McMaster). Predeceased by his parents Wally and Betty Berryhill.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Weaver Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Norwood District Skating Club or Norwood District Minor Sports. Online condolences at www.weaverfuneralhomes.com.
The Norwood community would also like to honour Randy with a permanent memorial in the village. A Facebook page has been started (search “Randy Berryhills Memorial Fundraiser”) where ideas and donations are being accepted for the possible installation of a bench in the park or other suitable memorial. As the page says, “Selfless souls like Randy’s are not easily found today, let us be the community he believed us to be!”