Roger E. Sawyer

Roger E. Sawyer, long time Plymouth resident, and resident of Exeter, NH, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Exeter (NH) Hospital surrounded by his family. He was married to the late Phyllis Ann (Sullivan) Sawyer. He is survived by his sister, Sally Mitchell of Brewster MA. Son, William Sawyer and daughter-in-law, Alice Anderson of Exeter, NH, Son Mark Sawyer and daughter-in-law Karen Sawyer of Gloucester, MA. Grandson Daniel Sawyer of Blackstone, MA. Grandson Andrew Sawyer, his wife Georgie Sawyer, and his great-grandchildren, Isabel and Jake Sawyer, all of Lee, NH. His granddaughter Joanne Grobecker, her husband Mike Grobecker, and his great-grandchildren Evelyn and Olivia Grobecker, all of Merrimack, NH. Also step-grandsons Jeff Beck and Ethan Beck, both of Exeter, NH, and step-granddaughter, Hannah Beck of East Boston, MA.
Born in Somerville, MA, Roger grew up in Leominster, MA, and, played the saxophone in the Leominster HS marching band from 7th to 12th grades, graduating in 1951. He attended UMass Amherst and graduated 1956 with a BA in Business Administration. There he met his wife Phyllis Ann. They married after graduation. He served in the US Army 1956-1958 and National Guard 1958-1962. In 1958 they moved to Plymouth, MA where he became a teacher at Hedge School, then Nathaniel Morton School. He was in the National Guard and earned his MA in Education in 1962. In 1965 he became a teaching principal at Mt Pleasant school. He was the first principal of West School and then principal of Cold Spring School, retiring in 1993.
He and his wife, Phyllis Ann, moved into their home on Nicks Rock Rd, Plymouth, MA. He continued living there after Phyllis Ann passed in 2005. They were a close couple enjoying family and quiet activities at home. Roger did not work summers so he could spend time with his family. They, then, treasured summertime on the Cape with family. He was kind and generous. Roger spent many years checking in with elderly neighbors. He was a passionate advocate for financial planning for his friends and family. He valued his family and time with them, sharing his numerous life stories. Roger enjoyed family vacations to Naples, Sanibel, and Captiva, FL. He moved to Exeter, NH in 2021 living with his son, Bill Sawyer, and daughter-in-law Alice Anderson until June of 2023 when he moved to Rockingham County Nursing Center, Brentwood, NH, due to the progression of Parkinson's. There he enjoyed visits from family, walking around his room, watching TV, and talking with his sister, Sally, on the phone.
Calling hours from 10:30 am-12:00 pm followed by a time of remembrance will be held this coming Saturday, June 8, at the Cartmell Davis Funeral Home, 373 Court St., Plymouth, MA followed by a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research https://give.michaeljfox.org or take the time now to open a Roth IRA and start planning for your financial future. Next to his family what he valued most was compound interest.