The Reverend Roger Smith

I have been feeling so much for my dear old friend Cary, his Mum Headley and the whole Smith family and friends over the past few weeks.
Indeed a great time of sadness and one which really rips at so many hearts and souls.
What I do know is that Roger held a very special place in so many peoples lives.
For the year he was living at Wootton Ridge, Boars Hill near Oxford UK and Cary and I were great teenage mates, Roger and Headley were the best and kindest "friend's parents" you could hope for - always a very warm welcome and taking interest in what was going on in my life.
Plus, if Cary and I wanted to play football (English type) on the back lawn, Roger would put us to task mowing it first. We never minded of course, as long as we got to play - plus he unexpectedly gave us a bit of money for doing the work.
On one occasion, I remember him taking Cary and myself to London to watch a football league game between our own favourite teams Arsenal (mine) versus Chelsea (Cary) and travelled on the London tube to a shop just north of the Arsenal ground to get our tickets, which he treated us to, before getting back to the stadium for the game.
I consider I was most fortunate to know Roger as such a very kind gentleman and it kinda blew me away somewhat when I able to speak with him, as well as Headley, when Cary video called me on the occasion of her birthday as recently as last September.
I do hope everyone is able to truly celebrate his life later today. Amongst all the tears there will of course be, hopefully there'll be some smiles and cherishing of so many happy memories of such a very special gentleman...God bless you Roger

Deep in our hearts you will always stay.
Loved and remembered everyday

Warm thoughts to the Smith family. I have a good memory of hiking with Roger in Keene Valley the wedding weekend of Jill and Jo.

Geri and I send you our love and condolences. We are so sorry for your loss - Uncle Roger was a presence in my life even though our in-person times were few and far between and geographic distance vast. I felt connected to him through Mom and her deep connection to her sister, my Aunt Headley, and to also Roger. I will always remember him, especially through the stories Mom told about precious times spent in Keene Valley and, in recent years, lighting up the town in NY City together. xoxo Liza Culick (and Geri Migielicz)

Thinking of you all with much love.