TEWKSBURY: Leslie R. “Roger” Niederer, age 81, a resident of Tewksbury for 32 years, died Saturday, April 2, 2005 at the Fairhaven Nursing Home in Lowell.
He was the husband of Wanda B. (Sokoloski) Niederer with whom he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 19th.
Born in North Branch, Minnesota on June 25, 1923, he was the son of the late Alois and Mabel (Rogers) Niederer.
Mr. Niederer was raised in North Branch, MN and attended North Branch schools.
In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Niederer served during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Whitney, the U.S.S. Tucker and the U.S.S. MacKenzie. He was awarded several decorations and commendations including the American Area Campaign Medal, the European, African and Middle East Campaign Medal, the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign Medals and a letter of commendation from James Forrestal, former Secretary of the U.S. Navy.
He lived in Chelsea for many years until moving to Tewksbury in 1973.
Prior to his retirement in 1990, he was employed for 35 years as a truck driver with Local # 25 of Boston.
Mr. Niederer was a communicant of St. Williams Parish of Tewksbury.
He was a member and past commander of the Tewksbury V.F.W. Post # 8164. In addition, he served as a member of the V.F.W Honor Guard.
He enjoyed many activities including marching with the V.F.W Honor Guard in the annual Tewksbury Memorial Day Parade, attending social gatherings and functions sponsored by the Tewksbury V.F.W., gardening, lawn care, collecting rare coins, pitching horseshoes and fishing.
Besides his wife, he is survived by 3 daughters; Beverly A. Greeley and her husband William of Winthrop, Leslie B. Marsh and her husband George and Lois A. Turbie and her husband Gerald all of Billerica; 7 grandchildren; Elizabeth A. Greeley of Revere, Kristina B. Giangregorio and her husband Wayne of E. Boston, Kristen M. Cunningham and her husband Sean of Marblehead, Jennifer L. Griffin and her husband Kenneth of Tewksbury, Darren G. Marsh of Dracut, Justin E. and Eric G. Turbie both of Billerica; 6 great grandchildren; Anthony J. Greeley, Frederick Burns IV, Garbriella and Jake Giangregorio, Ronan Cunningham and Owen Griffin.
Mr. Niederer was the brother of the late Ione Keocher and Ray Niederer.
Calling hours Wednesday, April 6th from 4-8 p.m. at the FARMER & DEE FUNERAL HOME, 16 LEE ST., TEWKSBURY. Funeral Thursday, April 7th at 9 a.m. from the funeral home. Funeral Mass Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 are requested