Rochester Ezell passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 31, 2026.

Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, to the late Beatrice Ezell, Rochester was the eldest of five children.

He was raised by his grandparents, John and Ida Ezell.  He accepted Christ at an early age. Immediately following his graduation from Tuskegee High School, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio to build his future.

Rochester attended and graduated from the Lincoln Electric Welding Technology & Training Center. This foundation led him to The Ford Motor Company where he ultimately retired from with 41 years of credited service.

For many years, he was a faithful member of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church, where he was actively involved in the music ministry, playing the bass guitar for the choir.  Later, he and his family moved their membership to The Word Church.

Rochester was a masterful, self-taught musician. He mastered both the bass and lead guitar; developing a unique style of playing that was widely admired by his peers.  He was a long – standing member of the Sensational Saints, as well as a member of the Revelations and The Singing Crusaders of Cleveland.  He was also the co-founder of the group Bo and the Metros.  He would often reminisce about performing at the Legendary Apollo Theater in New York City as a member of The Singing Crusaders of Cleveland.  He also had the rare honor of having a jam session with B.B. King and with Bobby Womack.

His first marriage he married Opal Mathis. From that union came one daughter Tammy Ezell, and he shared in the life of their bonus child Spencer Sherels.

In 1991, he married Patricia Harris, beginning a 34 plus year journey of love and companionship and also gaining an additional bonus child Shayla Harris.

Rochester was preceded in death by his mother Beatrice Ezell Talbert, his grandparents, John and Ida and two siblings Sylvester and Harry.

He leaves behind to cherish his memories his devoted wife, Patricia, his daughters Tammy Ezell of Euclid, Ohio; Shayla Harris of Cleveland Hts., Ohio; his son Spencer Sherels of Cleveland, Ohio; one brother, Johnny Green (Emma) of Warrensville Hts., Ohio; one sister, Geraldine Green of Leesburg, Florida; one granddaughter, Kayla Harris of Cleveland Hts., Ohio.  He also leaves four brothers – in – laws:  Leon Layton (Thoy) of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Jerome Layton (Joyce) of Cleveland Hts., Ohio; Rick Layton Paulette) of Ladson, South Carolina; and Reginald Layton (Beverly) of Kenosha, Wisconsin; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.