Richard G. Roger

LEOMINSTER- Reverend Richard G. Roger, 80, of Leominster, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2018, in his home. Father Roger was born May 20, 1937, in Leominster, son of the late Oliva J. and Exina M. (Fontaine) Roger. He was a 1955 graduate of St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School in Fitchburg. He graduated from Assumption College in 1959, the Seminary of Philosophy in Montreal in 1960, the Grand Seminary of Montreal in 1964. Father Richard Roger was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Worcester at the Cathedral of St. Paul on May 7, 1964. Father Roger was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Worcester from 1964-1967, Sacred Heart Parish in Southbridge from 1967-1972, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Winchendon from 1972-1976, Anna Maria College in Paxton from 1976-1979, Notre Dame Parish in Southbridge from 1979-1982, Sacred Heart Parish in Webster from 1982-1991, Holy Cross Parish in E. Templeton from 1991-1994, and Notre Dame/St. Joseph Parish in Worcester from 1994-2013. During many of these years he was very involved in Worldwide Marriage Encounter as chaplain and advisor. Father Roger retired in 2013. St. Cecilia’s Church in Leominster was his home Parish. He loved St. Cecilia’s and its parish family and continued to assist there after his retirement, including being their Parochial Administrator for awhile after his retirement. He had a great love for and pride in his family, always looking forward to enjoying holidays with them, presiding and celebrating many of their sacraments and liturgies, and he was known as the family historian. He was a remarkably dedicated son, brother, and uncle. He enjoyed his annual trips with his mother and other family to visit relatives in Canada, and in younger years took his Mom on trips to visit Rome and Vatican City and other parts of Europe, memories which he cherished. In recent years his great joys were helping out at St. Cecilia’s and other nearby churches, holidays and visits with family, pastoral ministry toward those in need, and his Thursday lunches with his cousins Ron and Jeanette and Connie and other relatives and dear friends. Fr. Roger was a dedicated, obedient, faithful priest. He was selflessly present to those in need, and inconspicuously generous to many, giving with no expectation of a return. No one remembers him ever asking for anything for himself. He leaves one brother, Paul F. Roger and his wife, Pauline (Caron) of Ashburnham; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins; his former sister--in-law, Renee B. Roger and sister--in-law, Ruth A. Roger. He was predeceased by his brother, Raymond E. Roger and his sister, Madeleine E. Siciliano, wife of the late Joseph F. Siciliano. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 13, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Cecilia Church, 180 Mechanic St., Leominster. Burial will follow in St. Cecilia Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday, January 12, from 3:30 to 6:30 P.M. in Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St., Leominster. His body will be reverently transferred to St. Cecilia Church privately in the evening hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the St. Cecilia’s Building Fund, 170 Mechanic St., Leominster, MA 01453, or to the church or charity of one’s choice.