Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Roger Obituary
John Bostwick Roger was reunited with his beloved wife Biddy on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. He was born on November 22, 1933, to David and Molly (Bostwick) Roger of New Milford.
At the University of Maine, John completed ROTC training, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Wildlife Conservation, and proposed to the beautiful girl he met on a blind date just before graduation.
After college John served two years in the U.S. Army Tank Division in Germany, and was among the top sharpshooters of the combined U.S. Armed Services in Europe. Upon his return home, he married the beautiful girl. They settled in New Milford, raising three daughters in the house he grew up in. Over the years he served on the Police Commission, Town Council, and as an NMPD Special Constable. John was a Boy Scout leader and built a custom gear trailer for his troop. He was awarded the BSA Order of the Arrow for service and leadership.
Dad was active in St. John's Episcopal Church for over 60 years in many offices including Shrove Tuesday pancake chef. He actively supported Loaves & Fishes as President, general handyman and do-gooder.
After his retirement as civil engineer with the state Dept. of Transportation, John and Biddy enjoyed gourmet club, fine wines, and travel. He especially enjoyed travelling with family, taking his children and grandchildren on cruises and to Europe.
Until his death he ran The Jolly Roger Sporting Goods, which he opened with his father in 1962, and which his daughters are continuing. Dad loved to hunt and fish, and was a lifetime member of the NRA. He taught Hunter Safety to generations of sportsmen. Dad and his best friends Art and Joe owned a camp deep in the Maine woods and made many treks there for hunting, fishing, rest, and renewal.
Dad was a great patriot, and a member of one of New Milford's founding families. He was proud to trace his heritage back to the Doomsday book.
John was predeceased by his beloved Biddy, his parents, son-in-law Rick Keizer, in-laws Gray and Lynne Smith, and Goddaughter Alice Beauton. He leaves his daughters Jessica Keizer, Molly (Ralph) Sherman, and Missy Sawyer (Aaron Swift); grandchildren Richard (Ashley), and Zach (Becky) Stebbins, Michaela (Dave) Williams, Stephen Keizer; JC (Ashley Figueiredo), Andy, and Gaby (Chloe Bratton) Sawyer; Emma (Zack) Capitao, and Sam and David Sherman; great-grandchildren Olivia, Barrett, Karinne, and Winter; and his beloved companion Black Jack.
He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Bob and Becky Roger, cousins Art and Judy Howland, in-laws Sanna and Andy Watts, best friends Art and Joe, and a wide circle of family and friends. Heart-felt thanks to the shop guys – Mark, Ray, Bob, and Richard – for taking such good care of Dad.
Services will be held when it is safe again. Please consider memorial contributions to St. John's Episcopal Church or Loaves & Fishes. John B. Roger loved Biddy, his family, his country, teaching, fixing anything, ice cream, and the Lord God. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Roger
John Moreland
July 29, 2020
John was a good man who lived his principles. Devoted to his family, his work and his town. I enjoyed working with him when I lived in New Milford and always appreciated his judgement and point of view. The world is better having known him.
Sandy Tortorici
June 20, 2020
I considered John a friend of mine. He did a favor for me years ago which I will never forget. God bless you John and your family...rest in peace my friend.
April 28, 2020
I have known John through the shop for almost 3 decades. He was a wonderful man and a pleasure to do business with. He was honest and very generous. My son Brian and I will truly miss him. Rest in peace my friend.
Jim
April 26, 2020
I met John in 1962 when he became my scoutmaster at the old troop 77 (my dad was his assistant scoutmaster)
Under his tutelage I went from being a tenderfoot to a life scout and spent several weeks in the summer of 1963 with him, his dad, friend Art, and several other scouts fishing at his cabin in Maine
John wrote a Boy Scout poem from my Panther Patrol titillated Take Ten'
It starts:
This is the roll of a Boy Scout patrol, the Lazy Ten by name.
A group of young men, their number was ten, from troop 77 they came.
They took a trip (and the skies did drip) on the Appalachian trail.
Two day they were gone, as they rambled along, thirty miles of hill and dale
The poem goes on for four pages; funny, thoughtful, with just the right among of suspense. (would they ever get to the end) I have it still, 58 years later.
Several decades later John and I would serve for three terms together as Councilmen and fellow members of the Police Board.
John, Take Ten' my very dear friend
Peter Henderson
New Milford
Bob
April 25, 2020
I've known John since he and his Dad started the Jolly Roger. He was my hunter safety instructor and a mentor about firearms and reloading. I was a constant visitor to his shop. As a Constable he rode patrol with me at NMPD. He was an outstanding police commissioner and always had the best interest of both the town and the NMPD officers in mind. He was a lifelong friend and I will surely miss our talks when I would visit. My wife Joey and I visited a few times last September and both of us know we've lost a good friend. God speed John, it was a privilege to be your friend.
john Ridd
April 25, 2020
John was a lifelong friend, too much to say in these small spaces, But we have a saying in Britain, An officer and a gentleman, and we have just lost one of the last examples of the best of them. Rest in peace Mate, You deserved it All. John/
April 25, 2020
As the sole surviving member of The Thursday Nite Club, a moniker given to us by Biddy Roger, may I offer my heartfelt condolences to Jess, Molly, and Missy, on the loss of their Dad. He will definitely be missed!!
Way back in the late 60's, thru to about the mid 90's, our little band of New Milfordites would meet at the gun shop on Thursday nites to discuss?? the problems of the week, in a vain attempt to put the world right.
I'm still a regular attendee at the shop and hope to continue!
John and we deciples of all things gundom had many conversations that lasted well into the late evening.
I'll miss you, John, but stand down now as your earthly hitch is done! JIm Fisher
Mary
April 24, 2020
Dear Molly and Jessica. So sorry to hear of your fathers passing. He was a wonderful man and did so much for his community . My heart goes out to everyone. May he be at peace and may his legacy live on.
Pam Weltzien
April 24, 2020
I met John when he was my manager at the DOT. 35 years later I can say he was the best manager I ever had. He was also a scholar and a gentleman. My sympathies to his family.
Steven McCarthy
April 24, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Bruce Benysek
April 23, 2020
God bless you John. You were a true gentleman and Christian.
I will miss you!
Joe
April 23, 2020
My condolences.
April 23, 2020
I will miss John very much. He was a kind and generous man with a heart of gold. Besides his demeanor and personality, John was a encyclopedia and research center of information when anyone brought in a firearm with questions or wanted to make a purchase from his store. Within the firearms community, the Town agencies he volunteered in, the state DOT where he retired from, the law enforcement agencies he sold to and to the community non-profits he helped, he will be missed. God bless you John.
Herb Furhman
New Milford
Charles Bendrick
April 22, 2020
Often when I would visit John's shop, I would make a small donation through John to Biddy for Loaves and Fishes. One day I asked John if he thought that I had donated enough to buy my way into Heaven. His response was "That's hard to say", which was his way of telling me to keep those donations rolling in. His shop was as much a hangout as a retail establishment, with a meeting of those he referred to as "The Liar's Club" seemingly always in session. John, I shall sorely miss you. You earned your way into Heaven a long time ago, but just to be safe, never rested on your laurels. God bless you John!
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in John Roger's name
Memorial Events
for John Roger
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Roger's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
