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45Grove City Area Chamber Community Guide Vol. VI 2015-2017 To hear Georgie Hodge describe Rocco Puntureri as a leader who was thoughtful ethical kind and intelligent its apparent theirs transcended the normal boss- employee relationship. He was aptly nicknamed Rock and thats what he was to Hodge. He was my best friend he balanced me she said of her colleague and mentor. The two worked together for a local real estate agency in the late 1980s and when Puntureri left to go out on his own with Grove City Realty Hodge went too. I always knew Id follow him wherever he landed she said. Prior to becoming a licensed real estate agent Hodge was a hairdresser and for many years she juggled both careers. A beauty salon and real estate was a beautiful marriage she said. You get to know lots of people and spend a lot of time talking to them. But a problem with her arm spelled out the writing on the wallshe wouldnt be able to cut hair forever her doctor said. So she put down her scissors for good and turned her full attention to her new favorite profession. Hodge and Puntureri complemented each other well. He was reserved and contemplative while she is animated and outspoken. He was my voice of reason she said. The two worked together long enough15 yearsfor her to know when something was wrong. Over lunch one day at the Main Street Diner Puntureri began telling Hodge what she needed to do if anything ever happened to him hire a secretary hire more agents. Looking back I realize he was preparing me she said. Then came the day he shared with her that he had cancer. From the time Puntureris friends and family learned about his disease until he died in September 2013 was just two months. Near the end Puntureri pulled Hodge into his hospital room at Grove City Medical Center and told her he wanted her to purchase the agency and keep it running. A lawyer Puntureri had drawn up a contract that outlined all the necessary details the only thing missing was her signature. Here I was 54 years old and buying a real estate agency said Hodge. It seemed a little crazy. But she and her husband Jeff did indeed purchase the company and followed Puntureris advice. Staffed with a team of six new agents and a capable secretary Grove City Realty is humming with activity. Business is up 20 percent over the previous year and Hodge looks forward Beyond the Sale Looking back I realize he was preparing me. -Hodge