Roger D. Steele

STEELE, Roger D. Roger D. Steele, 52, of North Maple Street, Enfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, (May 31, 2004) surrounded by his loving family at his home, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Mary Jane (Tkacz) Steele. Born in Stafford, a son of David T. and Betty (Carter) Steele of Enfield, he was a lifelong resident of the Enfield community. Roger was a member of the Class of '70 at Enfield High School and also an Honorary Member of the Hazardville Fire Department. For the past 13 years he had been employed as a gas distribution mechanic for Yankee Gas. A sports enthusiast and outdoorsman, Roger enjoyed fishing and golfing, and was an avid Boston Bruins fan and F-1 racing fan. He was also a talented and imaginative craftsman who had the knack of creating artwork out of discarded materials and tools. In addition to Mary Jane, his devoted wife of 26 years, and his parents, David and Betty, he is survived by his two daughters and a son-in-law, Tracey and Christopher Lafleur of East Windsor and Bonnie Steele of Enfield; his maternal grandmother, Kathleen Carter of Nottingham, NH; a brother, Brad Steele in Florida; a sister, Carol Steele of Enfield; his brothers and sisters-in-law, William and Phyllis Tkacz of Hebron, Jack Tkacz of Enfield, Elizabeth and Lawrence McCloskey of Windsor Locks, Richard and Carolyn Tkacz, James and Sue Tkacz, and Michael and Donna Tkacz, all of Enfield; many nieces and nephews, especially, Caitlin, who proved to be one of the best medicines for Roger; his Godchildren, Julie Tkacz and Jonathan Murphy. A special thanks to Corinne Connelly, who was warmly referred to as the "third" daughter by Roger and his family, and to his lifelong friend, Jack Flanagan and his wife, Marilyn, for their unwavering friendship and support. A funeral procession will gather by 9 a.m. on Thursday at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Adalbert's Church. Burial will be in St. Adalbert's Cemetery, Enfield. Roger's family will receive relatives and friends at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Home & Community Health Services, Inc., Hospice Program, P.O. Box 1199, Enfield, CT 06083-1199.