Douglas A. Rogers

ORANGE- Douglas A. Rogers, 77, of South Main Street, died unexpectedly at Athol Hospital on January 25, 2025 after being stricken ill at home.

Born in Gardner on March 29, 1947, he was the son of the late Leon S. and Lena B. (Carey) Rogers and grew up in Orange, graduating from Ralph C. Mahar Regional in 1967.

On September 11, 1967, Douglas enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and was honorably discharged on September 10, 1971.

Douglas had worked for the L. S. Starrett Co. in Athol for over 25 years, retiring in 2013. He had previously worked for the Orange Foundry.

A World War Two history buff, Douglas especially enjoyed the history of airplanes used during the war. Douglas also enjoyed sports with football being his favorite. He was a member of the Starrett 25 Year Club.

Survivors include his brother, Dennis Rogers and his wife Cynthia Schlener of Hubbardston; his sister, Donna Merkle and her husband Donald, of Rutland, Vermont; nieces, Heather Kerwin and her husband Jason of Florida, Jesa Angelica and her husband Gus Beucke of California and Sonja Blanco and her husband David of Arizona; nephews, Christopher Merkle and his wife Susan of South Easton, Massachusetts; grandnieces, Aurora Kerwin and Mia Blanco; and grandnephews Finn Kerwin, Everett Kerwin, Nicholas Merkle and Matthew Merkle.

Douglas was predeceased by his father on February 27, 1999 and by his mother on November 11, 2012.

Doug, little was given to you in this life, yet you learned to walk gently on this Earth and to always live your life the way you wanted. The world was and still is a better place for your presence. You are missed.

There are no calling hours.

Services and interment in South Cemetery, Orange, will be private.

Donations in Douglas' memory can be made to Second Chance Animal Services Adoption Center, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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