Anthony "Tony" Allen Rogers,
July 25, 1942 - June 23, 2021.
Anthony "Tony" was a person full of life and open to all its possibilities. He was looking forward to celebrating his 79th Birthday and marching towards his 80th.
Tony shared a fulfilling and exciting life with his beloved wife, Rose-Marie.
They had a whirlwind romance meeting at the end of February and married just a few short weeks later, in early May 1967. They were happily married and heading towards their 55th Wedding Anniversary.
Their daughter Monika Christine (Rogers) Clodius has a special connection to her parents and was undeniably Daddy's little girl.
Tony was liked and treasured by many, sharing undoubtedly an intense love for both Mark W. Clodius (son-in-law) and two grandchildren, Christopher Anthony Clodius and Annabel Christine Clodius.
Tony's many accomplishments and experiences, among some of them, being an awarded loyal US military member (1965-1974), globally traveling and working for the 3M Corporation, excelling as an entrepreneur, utilizing his sales and leadership skills for various opportunities and lending his talents to CLODIUS & CO. Jewelers for some time, before fully retiring. He had many hobbies and interests, leaving us with memories and stories, a lifeline for us to hold on to.
Tony had a special appreciation for life, and one of the many mantras he passed along to the family, was sharing a smile with others. His smile would light up a room. His zest for fun and jokes spread joy and laughter, and he always shared his knowledge and wisdom, growing confidence in others.
Tony not only had an incredibly invested and doting wife in Rose-Marie but a life partner. This special connection and bond allowed them to enjoy life's adventures and to confront the numerous challenges they faced over their lifetime together. The strength of their love, cemented with courage and tenacity, formed the foundation, creating the incredibly close-knit loving family we are today.
Despite or perhaps because of his wartime encounters and post-war experiences in dealing with his service-connected health issues and disability, he focussed on living with grace and humility. A positive attitude and optimism, flanked by Rose-Marie, Monika, and the family's support and advocacy, warranted him the grit to defy a grim health prognosis given in the early 1970s by some 40 plus years. He was always a model patient, brave and accepting of new medical challenges; his determination and fight are impressions for all of us to try and live up to.
Sadly, on June 23, 2021, he received new deployment orders for his next mission. This one, without his cherished wife or family.
He is dearly missed by Rose-Marie, Monika, Mark, Christopher, and Annabel. Their [Rose-Marie and Tony's] pet puppy Ali and puppies Benno Beau and Admiral Augustus share the void we feel.
"Godspeed Pathfinder, safe travels in charting a new path for all of us to find you. Until we meet again, Daddy!"
In lieu of flowers, we would love to collect monetary donations to present in Tony's name to a charitable organization (TBD) at a later time.
Visitation for Anthony will be from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM Friday July 2, 2021 at Sunset Funeral Home 8800 N. Alpine Road in Machesney Park; service to celebrate Anthony's life with Military Honors will be 5:00 PM Friday July 2, 2021 at the funeral home.
