Joseph Michael Rogers

He was surrounded by members of his loving family, including his devoted wife of 68 years, Carol (Nolan) Rogers.

Joe was often heard to proclaim himself the “luckiest man in the world” as he toasted Carol at every family gathering and tearfully thanked her for providing him with what he cherished most in all the world: their four children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Even up until his final moments, the sounds of their voices and glimpses of their faces brought a smile to his lips and moisture to his eyes.

Joe’s philosophy of life can be summed up in three words: Family, Health, and Strategy.

Family – first, last and always. Period. Not just his own nuclear family, but his whole extended family (including lifelong friends) could always count on Joe for love, support, and (sometimes unsolicited, but almost always helpful) advice.

Health – Joe was in phenomenal shape right to the end. His doctors were amazed that he didn’t take medications or supplements of any kind (not even an Advil) until his cancer left us no choice but to ease his suffering in the final weeks. He would credit his daily long walks (often by a body of water) and plenty of fresh air and sunshine. He loved sports. Playing with family and friends and coaching kids of all ages and abilities. The coaching kept him fit and young at heart while also giving him an outlet for his third passion: strategy.

Strategy – Joe was a master problem solver. He excelled at cards and spent several hours a day solving a wide variety of puzzles. He saw the world as a series of problems to be solved and took great distress from the observation that many of the systems seemed to be broken and most of the people in charge didn’t seem capable of fixing it. This applied to everything from a simple traffic jam to the NY Mets to the global political arena.

Joe was dealt a bad hand at birth. But he played his cards brilliantly and became a truly self-made man. He found the right strategies to overcome poverty and a lack of formal education. He made the right choices to live a fit and healthy life. He put his heart and soul into making every life he touched better for having known him. Most importantly, he found the perfect partner to help him build a life and a legacy for which we are all truly thankful.

In loving memory from his cherished survivors: wife, Carol (Nolan); daughter Pat, her husband Al Cantor, their children Becky and Max, Becky’s husband Zack Ahrens and their sons Jack and Ben, Max’s wife Alison Roman and their son Charlie; son Joe, his partner, Kim Hyde, his children Joey, Jonny, and Kim, and their mother Colette (Morson), Jonny’s wife Lindsay Tyson and their sons Luke and Owen, Kim’s husband Ryan Aanerud and their daughter Olivia; daughter Ginny, her husband Harold Meyer, their daughter Tory and her partner Andrew Andonian, their son Jake and his wife Rachel (Rutfield), their children Lacey and Jordan; son Jim and his wife Sarah (Gioffre), their children Jake, Rose, and Kate.

The family is in the process of relocating so we ask that you do not send flowers or gift baskets. Instead, please take a walk in the sun with a friend or family member. Share a hug and a smile. Remember a special moment you had with Joe and count your many blessings as he always counted his.