Joseph "Jedge Guitar" Rogers, 91, of Rockledge, FL died Tuesday May 24, 2011 at Wustehoff Medical Center. He was the husband of Mary (Oliveira) Rogers; they had been married for 69 years.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Frank and Augusta (Cardoza) Rogers, he lived in New Bedford, Westport and for the last 20 years in Florida.
Mr. Rogers was formerly employed as an electrical engineer for Commonwealth Gas and Electric Company.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army.
He was a Ham Radio operator and enjoyed photography. He was a jazz guitar player who played with many big bands in the 1940's and also specialized in playing Cape Verdean music.
Survivors include his wife; three children, Sheila Allen of Rockledge, Edward J. Rogers and his wife Mary Ann of New Bedford, and Sondra Charrette of Coconut Creek, FL; three granddaughters, Desiree F. Charrette, Tiffani N. Rogers, and Mecaela A. Rogers; his siblings, Henry Rogers of Scituate, Roger Barros, Frank Barros, Josephine Lomba, Mary Brown, Cynthia DeBarros, and Cheryl Costa, all of New Bedford; and many nieces and nephews.
He was the father of the late Raymond Rogers and brother of the late Manuel Rodriques, John Rogers, Olive Rodericks, Candida Sousa, Anna Rocha,and Evelyn Vieira.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 9 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 3-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.