James London Rogal

James London Rogal, 65, of Rowley, Massachusetts, beloved husband of Stefanie Rogal, died on May 18, 2021 at the Kaplan House in Danvers following a tenacious seven year battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was the father of three daughters, Liz, Rachel and Sondra, and the grandfather of Olivia. Jim was the son of the late Dr. Paul B. Rogal and Sondra London Rogal.

Jim grew up in Danvers and Topsfield, earned his B.A. from St. Lawrence University and J.D. from New England School of Law where he wrote for the New England Law Review Forum for Criminal and Civil Confinement. Jim practiced law for over 35 years, both on the North Shore and in Boston. His areas of expertise included criminal defense, real estate, foreclosure litigation and housing law. His most satisfying professional achievements were the two successful criminal appellate cases he argued before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturning lower case convictions and creating new law in the Commonwealth.

Outside the courtroom Jim was an athlete and rabid Boston sports fan. He played on two championship over-50 basketball teams in Methuen, won two golf Glen Cup titles, was the longtime player/manager of the Yankees in the Topsfield Men’s softball league, skied Tuckerman’s, and played pickup hockey and basketball for decades. Each spring for 25 years he traveled across the country attending the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament with his March Madness buddies.

Jim also gave back to his community, coaching youth sports and serving as both the Chairman of the Topsfield Planning Board and Board of Selectmen.

He was captivated watching his girls compete on the playing fields and performing onstage. An insatiable reader, he was a New Yorker subscriber for over 30 years. He loved the beach, especially sunny days in Salisbury and Anguilla. He contended dubiously that he never sunburned.

Jim faced his Parkinson’s diagnosis with the same tenacity and competitiveness that he displayed on the court and in the courtroom. He golfed and played tennis up to several weeks ago and participated in medical studies in the quest to find a cure for the brutal disease that took him too soon.

Jim was a wonderful family man and a cherished friend with a sharp wit; who laughed until he cried.

He will be missed terribly.

Along with his immediate family, Jim is survived by his devoted siblings Pam Zlota (Andrei) and Peter Rogal (Laurie Nash), his Uncle Eddie, Aunt Joni, Uncle Jay, numerous nieces and nephews, and his cherished chocolate lab, Finn.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Jim’s memory to Care Dimensions via https://www.caredimensions.org/

A memorial service for Jim will be held on Sunday, May 23rd at 3:00PM at Temple Sinai Cemetery, 16 Buxton Road, Danvers, MA 01923. Guests are welcome to arrive between 2:00 and 3:00PM to greet the family.