"my condolences to the Roger's family. Mr. Roger's was my teacher in school and also my neighbor at one time. He was always nice to me and always had a smile on his face. RIP Mr. Rogers I will always remember you"
In loving memory of
William H. Rogers
May 31, 2020
William H. Rogers, Sr., 80, of Woonsocket, died May 31, 2020 in Landmark Medical Center, Woonsocket. He was the husband of the late Fernande (Delvaux) Rogers, whom he married in 1965. Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late William H. and Venetta (McCarthy) Rogers.
Mr. Rogers was a 1959 graduate of Burrillville High School, and received his Masters Degree in history from Providence College in 1970. He was proud to be part of the Woonsocket education department for over thirty years. He worked as a teacher at Woonsocket High School, retiring in 1998. Mr. Rogers served in the Army National Guard. He was devout to his faith and was an active parishioner at St. Josephs Church for many years.
An exceptional athlete, he played hockey and baseball at Burrillville High School. He was a four year starter in baseball, and team captain in his senior year. Bill played on the state championship teams for hockey in both his junior and senior years, and was one of the captains on the first Rhode Island team to win the New England Championship. He was on the All-State team twice, and was chosen All-New England in his senior year. He continued to play both hockey and baseball while attending Providence College. He later coached baseball, softball, and hockey for Woonsocket High School, and was a Woonsocket Little League coach in the 70s and early 80s.
Bill was a past member of the Italian Working Mens Club. He was an avid golfer, reader, and enjoyed gardening. He spent many summers traveling, and especially enjoyed his train trips across the country. He spent numerous summer days enjoying the beaches of Rhode Island, Cape Cod, and a favorite spot of his and his wifes in Maine. Later in life one of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren, grandnieces, and grandnephews; perhaps surpassing what he enjoyed earlier in life, spending time with his own children and watching them pick blueberries and strawberries across various farms in RI on the hottest day of the summer. Like his mother, he enjoyed studying the night skies.
He leaves his daughter, Jennifer Morrison and her husband, Daniel, of Woonsocket; his brother, John Rogers and Patricia, of North Smithfield; two sisters, Carol Smith of Atlanta, GA, and Ellen Rogers of South Kingstown; two grandchildren, Ryan and Kenzie Morrison; many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his son, William H. Rogers, Jr., and his sister, Jeanne Mattiucci.
His funeral will be held Friday, June 5, 2020, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Josephs Church, 1200 Mendon Road, and may be viewed live at http://client.tribucast.com/tcid/48953150. Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Bellingham, MA, and may be viewed live at http://client.tribucast.com/tcid/824324 . Calling hours are Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 4-7 PM in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 So. Main St., Woonsocket. Social distancing guidelines will be followed upon your arrival.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Josephs Church, 1200 Mendon Road, Woonsocket, RI 02895; Woonsocket High School Athletics, 777 Cass Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895; or to The Tomorrow Fund, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903.
Tributes
"Thank you for your thoughts."
"Thank you so much, Connie. They did love Theatre Works!"
"Thank you."
"Thank you for sharing your memories."
"Thank you so much for sharing your memories."
"Thank you so much."
"Dear Jen, Dan and family: Our deepest condolences to all. Mark and I ran Theatre Works for many years and Bill and Fern were subscribers to the end. He was a dear friend to my brother, Ed Renaud. May he rest in Peace."
"Mr rogers was my history teacher and his wife was my english teacher great teachers and a great guy rip mr rogers my name is Kimberly gagnon"
"Lori,Thank you so much. I was just telling my children about all the good times we had at St. Joan's church and rectory when my Uncle was there. You were a big part of those years and fun!"
"my condolences go out to his Family he was a great coach and teacher...very well respected...fly high my friend"
"My condolences to the Rogers family.. I had Mr. Rogers for ancient history, around 1979. Great teacher.. took no guff, but was a gentleman.. I remember his freqent , , really frequent use of the short , like 5 minute pop quiz ."
"To Mr Rogers family My condolences , he was one of my favorite teachers in junior high school I loved ancient history because of him He made it come to life ! You could also see his love of Christ in all he said and did in life I still remember him to this day and that was about 40 yrs ago He now lives in heaven and meeting up with friends and loved ones again Rest in Gods promise that you will see him again one fine day"
"To Jennifer and family and all of the Rogers family I am so sorry for your loss! I never remember seeing bill without a smile on his face and was very close neighbors to the Rogers family for many years. Our children grew up together and we had a wonderful friendship lifelong with both Bill and Fern.we could depend on each other through thick and thin, through sad times and Good times. We have all lost a good friend... In closing I want to say that my friend Fern, told me many times that and I quote""there was no one in this world that I would have wanted to marry, except Bill....... So Bill, it's not goodbye, it see you sometime later.... May you rest in peace, love Elaine, Shayle and Janel.......R.I.P"
"RIP Mr. Rogers, one of the few HS teachers I had that left a positive mark on my life. I will always remember 10th grade Ancient History. Thank you for that. "
"Dear Rogers Family, Your father had a positive impact on many who went through the WJHS & WHS system. Didn't sugar coat anything; which is what many of us knuckleheads needed! He coached us to the RI Jr High Baseball Championship in 1972 when no one thought we had a shot. RIP Mr Rogers. Mike Coffey WHS 75"
"""Rise and face your peers!"" I can still hear Mr. Rogers's booming voice as we were randomly called on for oral essays as accountability for the previous night's homework. He was the only teacher I ever had who covered the whole textbook...and it was 800 pages! Mr. Rogers was a no nonsense teacher with high standards of learning. He was effective because to this day I can still recall so much from that Ancient History class in junior high. My sincerest sympathies for your loss. I hope knowing he made a difference for so many kids will comfort you at this time. May Jesus welcome Mr. Rogers into his heavenly home while embracing and comforting you at this difficult time."
"My condolences to the Rogers family. I met Bill about 40 years ago. I used to work at st. Joan's Rectory when his deceased brother in law was pastor. May you rest in peace. Now you and Fern are together again.Lori Lussier/Carlson"
"Mr Rogers was one of those teachers I have never forgotten. I had him for Ancient History in Junior High School. I was so afraid of him. He was no nonsense because he wanted you to learn. That I did. By the end of that school year he was one of my favorite teachers. I shall never forget him. Blessings to his family I know he will be missed. I am grateful to have known him."
"R.I.P. BILL U WERE A GOOD FRIEND"
"Definitely, the teacher who sparked a lifetime of fascination with History in me, and many countless others in High School, I'm sure. He was a dedicated teacher who always stopped and made time for we history geeks, recognizing our shared passion. May he travel well to the next leg of his infinite soul journey. Thanks, Mr. Rogers!"
"I found a love for history from Mr. Rogers. These last 4 months I have thought of him often and almost daily. Months ago....I even thought about visiting to tell him. Two men I admired..Mr.Rogers and Father Delveaux..."