Roger Deakin

Roger Deakin, a resident of Essex since 2001, passed away on February 12, 2026 in Middlesex Hospital at the age of 91. Born in 1934 and educated in England, he pursued a career that brought him overseas. Initially joining the Royal Dutch Shell Group in London, he moved to Canada and spent six months in the arctic on Baggin Island, helping to build the Distant Early Warning radar stations (the DEW Line) around the Arctic Circle, which were used through the 1980s. After rejoining Shell in Toronto he returned later to the UK, and started a new career in the chemical industry by joining Imperial Chemical Industries. ICI continued his international journey, first to New York for three years, then to Indonesia for two.

He spent the next several decades traveling the world for Allied Chemical Corp, Tenneco, the American Natural Soda Ash Corporation, and Solvay, holding executive positions in Singapore, Hong Kong, Houston, TX, Westport, CT, Belgium, and finally Essex. It is said that he relocated from Houston to Westport with “unseemly speed,” an act that was undoubtedly replicated when he moved from Houston again to Essex.

Locally, Roger was a pillar of the community in Essex. His various interests led to a three year term on the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex, followed by a further three years as the Diocesan Representative. He also became a director of the Southeast Connecticut Committee on Foreign Relations, the Essex Historical Society, Friends in Service Here, the Heritage Cove Condominium Association, and formed a chapter of The Churchill Centre in Chicago, known as the Churchill Society of Connecticut. In his free time he was an active member of the Essex Yacht Club, volunteered by reading and recording texts for the blind, and played tennis at the Old Saybrook Racquet Club.

Roger had a way of bringing a touch of elegance to any situation. He was kind, polite, and had a sense of humor as dry as his favorite wines, a combination that made him the life of every party. A lover of travel, he brought his light everywhere, returning to his favorite destination, Switzerland, most often. All of this, plus his refined accent, love of classical music, tea, dark chocolate and marzipan, and the finer things in life contributed to shaping Roger as a quintessential English gentleman.

Roger is survived by his brother Brian Deakin of England; daughters Laura Allard of Murphy, NC, and Nicola Rivera of Charlotte, NC, and son-in-law, Richard Rivera; his son, Nigel Deakin of Endicott, NY; six grandchildren - Dustin Allard, Samantha Avellard, Joshua Allard, Wyatt Allard, Brad Rivera, and Jack Rivera; and three great-grandchildren – Jaxon, Kennedy, and Ivory Allard. Roger leaves behind countless loved ones and a lasting legacy of compassion and support, both within his community and beyond.

The family requests those who wish to express condolences consider making a donation to Connecticut Volunteer Services for the Blind and Handicapped. A celebration of Roger’s life will be held at a later date.