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With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Roger Leslie Aldredge on January 9, 2026 at the age of 86. He was surrounded by his loving family and left a legacy of love for his family and friends.
Born in 1939 and raised in Hillside, Roger was a graduate of Hillside High School. He met the love of his life Dorothy while on jury duty in Elizabeth and eventually they married and settled in Avenel. His first job was a Good Humor Man. He loved ringing the bell and selling ice cream to all who came running. He eventually became a jeweler at Jabel Jewelers in Irvington where he did Florentine designs on expensive jewelry.
After losing his wife Dorothy, Roger settled in Cranford at the Senior Housing complex where he was involved with musical productions, bingo, bible study, playing cards and many more activities. He was a volunteer there and drove others to their needed destinations. Roger also enjoyed art, puzzles and most of all photography.
Roger is pre-deceased by his wife Dorothy, his brother-in-law John and brother-in-law Robert Buchanan. He is survived by his brother William Aldredge (Bettes), sister Peggy Buchanan, and sister Rebecca Lutjen (Theodore), He is also survived by his 3 Godsons Robert J Buchanan II, Wayne Aldredge and James Bilderback, 10 nieces and nephews, 16 great nieces and nephews and 8 great great nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends. He will be deeply missed but remembered in the hearts of those he loved.
Roger’s visitation will be from 4:00-8:00PM Tuesday, January 13th, at Gray Memorial Funeral Home, 12 Springfield Ave. Cranford, NJ, where his funeral service will begin at 11:00AM Wednesday January 14, 2026. Burial will follow in Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.
Roger loved all his nieces and nephews with his whole heart so In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
12 Springfield Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

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