Roger Donald Vertefeuille

Roger D Vertefeuille, husband of Carol (Bezzini) Vertefeuille, of town of Wethersfield CT, passed away on June 28, 2022, with family by his side. He was born on November 18, 1933, to his late parents Ann-Marie and Lucian Vertefeuille. Roger was a veteran of the United States Air Force, who fought in the Korean War. He played baseball for the Air Force team, and after leaving he was selected to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Roger was a member of the 1950 undefeated football team of Buckley High School in Hartford, and played with some of the greats. Roger graduated from the University of Connecticut with BS degree in physical Education. He was an outstanding baseball player, and was looked at by some of the mayor league scouts, Roger held a physical education and coaching position in the city of Harford. Roger then coached for over 30 years at Buckley High School in three sports; cross country, wrestling and outdoor track.

Roger was a master teacher for teaching the fundamentals of wrestling to young men. He could train and mold a novice athlete into a state champion, New England champion and high school All American. Roger was famous for driving his green Volkswagen bug alongside his athletes while running. He also used this technique on his wife yelling encouraging words to “run faster”. Roger has a love for playing golf with his friends at Goodwin Park in Hartford, and also enjoyed playing cards afterwards, he was a kind and loving person who always there for neighbors, family and friends. Roger’s achievements throughout his life are as follows:

Elected to the National wrestling Hall of Fame, 2004, 15 State Sectional champions, 13 state champions, 10 conference champions, 9 open champions, 5 USA All American coached, 10 State sectional championships, wrestling teams won over 250 matches from 1968-1994, High School coaches Association coach of the year.

He was predeceased by his two twin sons; Brandon and Brett. He leaves behind his sister Jeannine Robitaille and her deceased husband Edmund, his nephew John and his wife Linda Robitaille and nephew Phillip Robitaille, his niece Arlene Degan, Sharon Baxter and her deceased husband Beau, followed by 5 great nephews, 1 great niece, and 1 great nephew.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Roger will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St Mary Church, 15 Maplewood Ave, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. Following the Mass of Christian Burial will be a Committal Service at 11:05 AM at St Mary's Cemetery, 930 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, CT. In lieu of flowers donations to a charity of your choice in Roger's name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewkirkandWhitney.com for the Vertefeuille family.