GROTON - On December 8, 2024, we lost a great man to cancer. Richard S. Rogers, Sr., 77 was a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was born on August 23, 1947 to his parents, Daniel James Rogers and Ruth Marion Starr Rogers in Waterford.
He spent a lot of time with his father, fishing and boating on the docks where his home was located. He spent some young adult years in New London with his first wife where they had 4 children. Rich served in the US Army as a sharp-shooter and was honorably discharged in 1968. He worked as a truck driver for many years for the Gardner Moving and Storage Company in New London. He remarried and had another daughter. Later, he and his daughter moved to Arizona and California before returning to Connecticut. He worked as a crew leader at Caldor in Groton upon his return.
He married the love of his life Jeanne L. Richard Longo on October 27, 1998 and joined their two families which grew to 10 children, 19 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was beyond proud to help raise his grand-daughter Arianna. Rich had a special bond with his sister in-law Pauline Keller who pre-deceased him.
He had the best of friends in Henry Diem, Shawn Garvey and Mark Dessaules. He enjoyed being involved in Election work with his close friend Louis Venditti. Rich was the kind of guy who would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it. He also enjoyed completing crossword puzzles and watching game shows. He loved playing cards with his friends, Cindy Garvey, Liz Dessaules and Kristen Venditti. Rich’s greatest joy was watching his youngest daughter Trudy dance.
Those who knew him were aware of his love of classic country music, especially George Jones, he loved watching John Wayne western movies, and antique cars. He left his humor and sarcasm to each of his children. He could literally fix anything. No challenge was too great. He loved socializing with his buddies especially his times spent with his close friend Henry. His love of tinkering with cars and eating hotdogs was shared with his best friend Shawn Garvey.
Rich is survived by his children, Richard S. Rogers, Jr. of Waterford; Tammy Lynn Baptista (Gene) of Norwich; Patricia Ann Williams (Brian) of Norwich; Kenneth James Rogers (Anne) of Gales Ferry, Jessica Louise Rogers of Baltic; Trudy Pauline Rogers of Groton; Timothy Richard Longo of Groton; Anita Anne Longo of Groton; Anthony Vincent Longo, (also his Godson) of Niantic and Jennifer Lynn Contreras of Hilliard, OH. He is also survived by his siblings Dixie Rogers of New London and Candace Roberson of Great Falls, MT.
He so loved his 19 grandchildren, Stephen, Zachary, Jordan, Dezmond, Greysen, Arianna, Alexia, Diego, Gabriel, Josef, Lauryn, Tyler, Tobias, Lillian, Isabella, Anthony Jr., Cayden, Alexis, and Melynda.
He was predeceased by his Great Grandson John Rider Rogers, a sister Cheryl Zidick, Niece Mary Anne Dowd, Nephew Samuel Tremell and Nephew John Sisson, Jr.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 13, from 5 to 7pm at the Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Saturday, December 14 at 10:00am and process to Quaker HIll Baptist Church, 144 Old Norwich Road, Quaker Hill for an 11:00am Funeral Service.