ROGER FRANKLIN

FRANKLIN--Roger, PhD, the Broadway veteran actor, singer and stage manager, opera director and author, died on May 23, 2011. He was 84 years old. Dr. Franklin, with his resonant baritone voice, played Officer Krupke in the original Broadway production of "West Side Story." Other Broadway appearances included "Canterbury Tales," "The Vamp" and "H.M.S. Pinafore." The "Dean of New York City's Santas," and one of few to earn the much coveted five-candy-cane rating from "The New York Times," Roger personified Christmas for 22 years at the South Street Seaport. Rutgers Presbyterian Church mourns the loss of our beloved Elder. For many years Roger wrote and edited the church's newsletter, “Renewal.� He served as both friend and generous host for more than a decade at the church's weekly film series, which follows Thursday night's community dinner. He was preceded in death by his life partner of 35 years, Robert Bruce Holley. Plans for a memorial service will be posted soon on the church's website at: www.rutgerschurch.org.