Retired priest Father Richard G. Roger dies at 80

    LEOMINSTER - Bishop McManus will celebrate a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Cecilia Church, 180 Mechanic St., for Father Richard G. Roger, 80, former pastor of Holy Family Parish, Worcester, who died Jan. 6 at home.
Father Roger was born on May 20, 1937, in Leominster, the son of Oliva J. and Exina Marie (Fontaine) Roger. He graduated in 1955 from St. Bernard Central Catholic High School and in 1959 from Assumption College.
He studied for the priesthood from 1959 to 1964 at the Seminary of Philosophy and the Grand Seminary in Montreal.
 He was ordained a priest May 7, 1964, by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan in St. Paul Cathedral.
He was associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Worcester. He later was associate pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Southbridge, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Winchendon. From July 1976 until August 1979, he was resident chaplain of Anna Maria College, Paxton. He then was named associate pastor of Notre Dame Parish, Southbridge.
In 1977 Bishop Flanagan named him diocesan moderator of the Marriage Encounter Movement
On Jan. 15, 1982, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Webster, where he remained until June 28, 1991. He then was named pastor of Holy Cross Parish, East Templeton.
On Aug. 10, 1994, he was appointed pastor of Notre Dame-St. Joseph Parish, which subsequently became Holy Family Parish. He retired from active ministry on July 6, 2013.
St. Cecilia’s Church in Leominster was his home parish. He loved St. Cecilia’s and its parish family and continued to assist there after his retirement.
He had a great love for and pride in his family, always looking forward to enjoying holidays with them, presiding at and celebrating many sacraments and liturgies, and he was the family historian.
He was a dedicated son, brother, and uncle. He enjoyed annual trips with his mother and other family members to visit relatives in Canada, and in his younger years took his mother on trips to visit Rome and Vatican City and other parts of Europe. Father Roger was a dedicated, obedient, faithful priest. He was selflessly present to those in need, and inconspicuously generous to many, giving with no expectation of a return.
He leaves his brother, Paul F. Roger and his wife, Pauline (Caron) of Ashburnham; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins; his former sister-in-law, Renee B. Roger and sister-in-law, Ruth A. Roger.
He was predeceased by his brother, Raymond E. Roger and his sister, Madeleine E. Siciliano, wife of the late Joseph F. Siciliano.
A visitation and wake service will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday in Simard Funeral Home, 14 Walker St.  After the funeral Mass, burial will be in St. Cecilia Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Cecilia’s Building Fund, 170 Mechanic St., Leominister, MA 01453, or to the church or charity of one’s choice.