Mr Corey Magee James Leslie Rogers

Corey James Leslie Rogers was born on May 21, 1975 at the Toronto East General Hospital. At birth he weighed only 5 lb. 2 oz., which he had to remain in hospital until he reached 5 1/2 pounds. As all babies do, Corey dropped in weight, which meant that he didn't get to go home for 2 weeks.

At 5 weeks of age he went with his parents to Liverpool, Nova Scotia to meet his maternal and paternal grandparents. While in Liverpool, he was christened at Zion United Church by Rev. Bill Titus.

The son of Jeannette and Paul Rogers, Corey grew up in Toronto, Kamloops, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Liverpool, Edmonton, and Halifax.

       Corey was raised with one sibling. He had one younger brother, Collin. He was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his sibling. He and his brother experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

       As a young boy, Corey had a number of interests. Like most children, he enjoyed playing and making up games. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. Corey was an active child who took part in hockey. He was in Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and the Hand Bell Choir. In his spare time he liked reading books (at a young age he read Greek Mythology on the way home from school on the bus and later switched to Stephen King novels), swimming, camping, riding his bike and playing with friends. However, to Corey, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends.

Corey unfortunately was a troubled soul in his later years and struggled with alcohol and drug addiction

       Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, Corey enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. While growing up, some of his best friends were his brother Collin, Richard Roy and John MacLeod. Later in life, he became friends with Glen Walton..

       As an adult, empathetic and loyal, Corey was committed to caring for his sick mother.

       Corey was blessed with four children: one son, Josh and three daughters, Ariel, Arianna and Hailie.

       His primary occupation was cook. He was employed for many years at several local restaurants.

Corey was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Corey will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Simply stated, Corey was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Corey leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember Corey James Leslie Rogers

Corey passed away on June 16, 2016 at Halifax, Nova Scotia. His cause of death is unknown at the time of writing. He is survived by his mother Jeannette, his brother Collin, his son Josh, his daughters Ariel, Arianna and Hailie. Services were held at Cruikshank's Funeral Home. Corey was laid to rest in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Port Mouton, Nova Scotia.

His brother, Collin, summed up Corey's life eloquently in the two eulogies he wrote for the service at Cruikshank's Funeral Home and his committal service at Laurel Hill Cemetery:

My brother Corey wasn't wise. Like any of us, he could be unkind. And, sometimes when he had a skinful of liquor in him, he could be a right pain in the ass, but I never doubted his love. If you touched his heart, there was nothing he would not do for you.

Forty-one is too young? Yes, forty-one is too young. Times like these will test your faith and understanding, your philosophy. How do we begin to make sense of his life or his passing? Corey lived his life in no small measure. He took it as an adult dose. There was a sadness and a distance in him. I often felt that Corey was trying, in his way, to be strong; so as not to lose any more than he felt he had lost already. And, in that attempt to be strong, lost much. We are all going to lose, something. We are going to lose our mothers, our fathers, our sisters and brothers, some of us our children. We are going to lose our own lives. So declare your blessings - today. Don't leave this place and forget that.

Corey had troubles. We all do. It is not what we are given in this life that matters most - it is what we do with what we are given; the mark that we leave on this world and the people we have the privilege to know. He was tired with how he was living his life - he knew he wanted to make a change. Corey persevered. It reminds me of St. Augustine, who asks, "Make me chaste Lord, but not yet!" He had four children, he read everything Stephen King ever wrote; those two things alone are exhausting. I am thankful that in these last months we had a better relationship. I will always remember his great sense of humour and delight in some kind of mischief...

....a full telling of his escapades would more than fill our time here, they are legion...but, that was our Corey. He's a hustler. baby. I just wanted you to know.

Whether he would have liked to admit it or not, Corey would have enjoyed this gathering - and to know and feel that he was loved by so many of those around him. Family and friends. Like many of us here, I loved Corey. I will continue to do so, that never passes with the body. That is what I choose to celebrate here today - the love that I know because of this man. I welcome you to join me in keeping his life alive in our lives, our hearts, and in our memories.

Now, I would like to share other's words with you - words that I'll wager have more poetry in them than mine. The first is a passage of lyrics from the song, "Stay",

"You did the best that you could do. You were a great you. You tried to nurture and preserve our faith in you...You see a line and then another, everything you fought for naught is uncovered. You're not a fighter, you're a lover. You've got no business in here brother - so stay. Stay."

The second is a song to lead us out. I chose it to try and express some of the thoughts and feelings you may all have about Corey; to keep him in our hearts for a while. For my mother, and myself, thank you all so much for coming today and being a part of this celebration of Corey's life.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE EULOGY FROM THE COMMITTAL SERVICE AT LAUREL HILL CEMETERY:

“I do not want to die. I do not want anyone I love to die. But, I am going to die. And, everyone I will ever love is going to die. That is why life is absurd.”

I am angry. Death is a thief, and has stolen from me. The loss has taught me a hard lesson about the value of things. I have grieved deeply in my private moments; and in that, feel it is important for all of us, in our measure, to share. My hope is for us to come away from here today with a full heart; to be made whole again.

My brother, Corey, never made it easy for you to love him. That came at a heavy price. I haven't come here today to tell you that I feel he lived a long, overly happy or full life. That, would sound like less than a full verity. I have come here today to tell you that I loved the shit out of him. Not in spite of the fact that he was a fabulous disaster - but because of it!

No one is upset with you if you have a disease like A.L.S., try being an alcoholic.You can be anything in this life - but the greatest of all sins is to be boring. Our Corey was definitely not boring.

I took great pride in knowing he enjoyed my supper “fry-ups”. That, and that he never tried to run his games on me. Well, maybe at chess.

So, let's not say 'He is no more', but live in thankfulness that he was. Let's help him cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.

* * * * * * * * * *

Rogers, Corey James Leslie, 41, of Halifax, passed away suddenly on June 16.

Born in Toronto, Ontario on May 21, 1975, he was the beloved son of Helen Jeannette Rogers and the late Paul William Arthur Rogers.

He was an avid reader, especially of Stephen King, enjoyed playing chess and spending time with family and friends.

Besides his mother he is survived by his brother, Collin Rogers; son, Josh Eisner; daughters, Ariel and Arianna (Ryker) Gay, and daughter Hailie Spindler-Rogers; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Everett and Lillian Rafuse and paternal grandparents Harry

and Lillian Rogers.

Rogers, Corey James Leslie, 41, of Halifax, formerly of Liverpool, passed away suddenly on June 16/16. Born in Toronto on May 21/75, he was the beloved son of Jeannette (Rafuse) Rogers, Halifax and the late Paul Rogers. Besides his Mother he is survived by his brother Collin Rogers, Halifax; his son Josh Eisnor, daughters Ariel and Arianna Gay, Hailie Spindler and partner Emilie Spindler; several aunts and uncles. he was predeceased by maternal grandparents Everett and Lillian Rafuse and paternal grandparents Harry and Lillian Rogers. He was a cook at several restaurants in Halifax, was an avid reader and enjoyed playing chess. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be buried next to his maternal grandparents at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Port Mouton on July 27/16 at 2p.m with reception to follow at Hunts Point Hall, Silver Rock Drive.