Thomas R. Rogers, 72, of Sebastian, passed away of heart complications on Oct. 2, 2015, with his wife of 35 years, Karen Rogers by his bedside.
He is survived by his youngest daughter, Kelly Rogers; four stepsons: Jeffrey Sousa (Noreen), Paul Sousa (Denise), Robert Sousa, Jr., and Joseph Sousa; his brother, John Rogers, and extended family members Steven Farrell, Kristi Farrell, Ryan Sousa, Christina Sousa and a host of other precious family members and friends.
Three of his four younger brothers predeceased him: Dennis, Stephen and Michael.
Rogers was born in Lowell, Mass., on Jan. 18, 1943, to John J. Rogers and Florida G. Rogers, where he was christened with his mother’s maiden name, “Thomas.” A classic eldest child, Rogers developed a strong sense of responsibility and grew into a family patriarch known for his wisdom, compassion, and selflessness.
He attended Lowell City schools and joined the United States Marine Corps, earning an honorable discharge in 1964. In 1965, he began working as an assemblyman for General Motors (GM), from which he retired.
Rogers moved in 1972 from Lowell to Bellingham, Mass., where he established deep roots and raised a large extended family. There, he was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Over 30 Softball League and the Bellingham Sportsman’s Club, for which he served as president and several other board positions during the 1980s.
In 1995, shortly after retiring from GM, he and his wife moved to Sebastian where they owned and operated a small transportation company in partnership with lifelong friends and former coworkers Harold (“Butch”) and Gisela Lovelace, who had previously retired to the area.
He and Karen became active members of the Sebastian VFW Post 10210 and the Sebastian Italian American Club, and drew many of their friends and family members from New England to the vicinity.
Rogers was an avid Red Sox fan, a passion he shared with his father, and was happiest when sharing a beer and good humor with friends and family over a game. He spent his golden years surrounded by people who loved and respected him, and who will deeply miss his presence.
The family is hosting services in both Florida and Massachusetts. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Italian American Club of Sebastian at 861 Sebastian Blvd. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. For loved ones in the Massachusetts area, a memorial service will be held at Cartier’s Funeral Home on 151 S. Main St. in Bellingham, Mass. on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m., following a 10 a.m. visiting hour.
Final prayers will be held at the St. Jean the Baptiste Cemetery at 310 Wrentham Rd. in Bellingham, where he will be laid to rest next to his oldest daughter, Diana Rogers. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at the VFW Post 7272 on 940 S. Main St. in Bellingham.
To sign the guest book, please visit www.cartiersfuneralhome.com. For anyone wishing to make a donation in Tom’s honor, please consider Homes for Our Troops.