I was saddened today to hear the news that Uncle Roger had passed away at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach yesterday at the age of 90.
Actually, truth be told…it was such a shock to read right as we were sitting down to lunch at City BBQ at White Oak this afternoon after Alex had his EEG leads removed that I had to step outside for a few minutes to find a measure of balance so I wouldn’t completely lose it and be utterly useless for the rest of the afternoon.
I think the only saving grace was that Aunt Betty was able to be by his side and say goodbye before he passed away about 15 minutes later.
That’s a blessing so few of us will ever have in a situation like this and I hope that she may find solace and peace and hold on to the multitude of wonderful memories of Roger’s life which was very well-lived. And I would offer my best wishes to their children and grandchildren that they may hold on to their good memories of Uncle Roger.
The last time I had a chance to visit with Roger and Betty was at their home in Willow Run five years ago when I was starting the process of clearing out Dad’s house. To be sure, they were a wee bit less fleet of foot than I had remembered in years past but their delightful Midwestern personality, humour, and especially their warm hospitality were on full display as it had been many times before at various family gatherings.
The only thing stopping Aunt Betty and Uncle Roger putting out the full spread was that I had already had something just prior to arriving!
It was as if time had ceased to pass as their house was exactly as I had remembered it with that Florida room that had heard many spirited debates over the issues of the day. That Florida room was certainly the most comfortable of in the four family homes that were within two square miles of each other.
Originally there were eight of us in that small geographic area…it’s rather sobering to consider that Aunt Betty is the only one still in the area and that she and I are the only ones still alive that lived there. It seems so surreal…it was as if it were yesterday that Dad had retired from the Army and was the last one to arrive a couple of months after I did to be that eighth family member in the area.
But enough of that.
There’s so many wonderful memories I have of Uncle Roger with most of my favourites having something to do with his wicked sense of humour that always managed to catch you by surprise when you least expected it.
You knew you were in for something funny when you’d see that quirky little half smile and the twinkle in his eye and then you’d hear that distinctly Midwestern drawn out “well” signalling he was going to make his point and then watch out because here it comes!
He was such a disarming charmer of a person and was one of the few I’ve ever known that I had never once ever seen get angry at anything. I’m sure he was capable of it as all of us are but every time I saw him, he would have a ready smile and a humourous observation to put you at ease. His easygoing nature was near legendary!
Then there were the debates in his Florida room where he rock back in that recliner and give as good as he would take. Oftentimes, Roger and Betty would square off with Grandma and Dad and Uncle Roger certainly didn’t lose very many arguments, especially in that Florida room!
I found myself being the “tie-breaker” more often than not and would amuse myself by playing on both sides whilst trying to remain undetected at it. Uncle Roger’s little smile says that hope of stealhtily stirring the political pot hadn’t work quite the treat I was rather hoping it’d be.
But what I will remember most fondly is that Roger and Betty were always very kind to Dad and me throughout the many years we lived there and that’s why I always have had a special place in my heart for them and still will until my time is at hand.
Rest in peace, Uncle Roger until we catch up with you in that place where no shadows may fall. 🙂
