Father Thomas W. Rogers

01/15/1923 - 12/06/2005

Father Thomas W. Rogers, 82, of Rostraver Township, a retired priest of the Diocese of Greensburg, died Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005, in Monongahela Valley Hospital, after serving the Lord for 53 years. Father Rogers was born Jan. 15, 1923, in Saranac Lake, N.Y., a son of the late Arthur Francis and Ethel (Harrington) Rogers. He attended elementary school and high school in Saranac Lake; Niagara University (New York); and then St. Francis College in Loretto and graduated from the former St. Francis Seminary in Loretto. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was ordained Jan. 26, 1952, in Covington, Ky., and came to the Diocese of Greensburg in 1953, and was incardinated in the diocese Jan. 6, 1961. Father Rogers served as parochial vicar at St. Edward Parish, Herminie, in 1953; St. Mary Parish, Freeport (1953-54); Immaculate Conception Parish, Connellsville (1954-55); Immaculate Conception Parish, Irwin (1955-56); SS. Simon and Jude Parish, Blairsville (1956-58); St. John the Baptist Parish, Scottdale (1958-60); and the former Holy Trinity Parish, Ford City, in 1960. He served pastorates at the former St. Michael Parish, Glen Campbell, and its chapel in Arcadia (1960-65); the former St. Anthony Parish, Clymer (1965-68); St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Sutersville (1968-72); the former St. Mary Parish, Ford City (1972-81); Seven Dolors Parish, Yukon (1981-92); and St. Anne Parish, Rostraver, and its chapel in Webster (1992-98). He is survived by his sister, Nancy R. Morgan, of Saranac Lake, N.Y.; two nephews, Mark Rogers, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and Anthony Rogers, of Alabama; and two nieces, Dr. Gail R. Rice, of Saranac Lake, N.Y., and Paula Fish, of Cadyville, N.Y. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, his twin, Neil R. Rogers, James H. Rogers and Colin A. Rogers. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday in the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC., 580 Circle Drive, Sweeney Plan/Rostraver Township (724-929-7934). A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Thursday at Seven Dolors Church, Yukon, and a funeral Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt at 11 a.m. Friday at Seven Dolors Church. Interment will follow in Seven Dolors Cemetery, Yukon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Seven Dolors Church, 102 Center St., Yukon, PA 15698.