Harry W Rogers

Portland, ME- Harry Wolbert Rogers of Portland, Maine, was called to his heavenly home on Monday evening, December 11, 2017, with his loving family by his side. Harry was born on January 6, 1926, he was the son of Ella Mae and Wolbert E. Rogers.

After finishing his early education in Portland, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps, in 1944. He participated in the pacific campaign and fought on Iwo Jima. Later after the war, while a member of the Quantico Marine Boxing team he achieved top Boxing status for his weight class, winning the Washington D.C Golden Gloves in 1949. He later served as 1stSgt of D Company 3rd Recon 64-65 where he earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action and Navy Commendation w/Valor. Finally, he finished his 27 year career retiring a Sargent Major in 1971. After, for a short period of time, he worked at the White House Washington D.C as assistant to Special Assistant Jon Huntsman who served in the Nixon administration. He then came back to Portland and managed the GSA Motor pool, which serviced all the Federal govt. agencies in the local area until it was closed in 1983.

Harry was a loving, dedicated father, grandfather and husband who was married to a strong, understanding woman named Dorothy, whom provided him with six happy children, Marty, Karen, Nancy, Cynthia, Harry, and Andrew, all born in various Marine Corps bases and ports on the East Coast of the USA.

Harry, AKA Dad, always found time to be with his family when he was not on the next deployment, whether it be a fried chicken picnic at a park or beach, blueberry picking on the power lines or polishing our shoes together for church the next day, he was all in. He encouraged us to become honorable citizens, always work hard, and never back down from a challenge, learning lessons every day

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When Dad became a grandfather a bright radiant smile would appear when that special child would enter the room, he loved children, and being their proud patriarch of our family. Harry loved the Lord and instilled these values in his family, he prayed often and knew how important it was to sow this seed into his children’s cloth, through attended weekly services, Sunday school, and church activities. He volunteered his Christian services in many capacities, whether it be running errands for a church, doing yard work, or painting a garage, he was the soldier on call, “ready for duty”. He also loved to be adventurous and drive, with this love, he turned it into a job in his later years, and worked as a Bank runner for Mid Maine Mutual bank. Dad loved eating and visiting the “unique diners” across Maine, coming away with many stories, and then visiting us children on his way back to Portland, his home base.

Dad had a full life and did not miss an opportunity to make every minute count, he was a great role model, an inspiration of good healthy habits, work ethics, he always had open loving arms to hug, and demonstrated his love for the Lord daily in everything he did. We will miss you dearly, however we will “Never forget” all your life’s lessons, love your children, and grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

He was pre-deceased by his immediate family: parents, Ella Mae and Wolbert Rogers; loving Aunt, Anna Thomsen; Uncle, Albert; sister, Elaine Summers; his wife, Dorothy; children, Marty, Karen and Harry.

He is survived by children, Nancy, Cynthia and her husband Wallace; Andrew and his wife Mizpah; daughter in-law, Jen; grandchildren, Jessica, Julia, Elijah, Rayne Lea, Ike, Justin, Fallon, Vanessa, Melissa, Jennifer, Robert, Travis, Renee, Eric (JR), Andrea, Jordan, Jonah; great grandchildren, Jeremy, Gabe, Zavier, Isaiah, Carmyn, Damon, Jade, James, Jude, Joshua and his three newest great- grand babies Wyatt, Getchel, and Logan.

Friends and relatives are invited to a time of visitation from 4-7 pm on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Jones Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A funeral with Marine Honors will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 29th at the funeral home. Spring interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Falmouth.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Harry’s online guest book.