At the age of 77 years, of Ottawa, ON, died November 13, 2019 peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 9, 1942 to Albert and Marie-Paul Vezina (nee Denis), in Hull, QC. He was loving husband to Marion (nee Peacock) for 53 years. Roger was father to Ron and BJ and father-in-law to Virginia and Sarah. “Poppa” leaves four grandchildren: Alexander, Sydney, Victoria and Lily and a step-grandson, Joshua. Roger leaves sisters Diane, Suzanne, Lise and Carol, as well as brothers John and Robert and many other extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Marcel. “Rog” was a career plumber and pipefitter and worked on many large construction projects which improved services to the people of Ottawa. He was a long term employee of Comstock Inc. and a proud member of UA Local 71 for well over 50 years. Roger worked hard to build a good life for his family and himself. He enjoyed the fruits of his labour in travel, good food and drink, and spending time with friends and family. A man of few words, he made up for that with a warm and charming smile and his signature “thumbs up”. He was a badminton champ and bowling kingpin in his younger years, could tear the rug up with his jive, and could snook you in pool basically at will. Roger was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed cheering on his favourite teams in person and on TV. His true passion, however was the game of golf. The social side of the game is what appealed to him most. He made new friends on and off the golf course as a member at Carleton Golf and Yacht club, and later at Greyhawk GC where his sons enjoyed weekly rounds with him for memorable years. Rog was never a scratch golfer but he was deadly within 100 yards and earned himself 3 career holes in one, where his envious sons’ combined total is zero!
Rog was fortunate to have a wide network of friends from work, golf, and social circles, both in Ottawa and his snowbird “family” at the Bay Mariner at Indian Shores, FLA. The family would like to thank you all for your support, kindness and friendship through the years. The family would also like to thank the many care providers that helped add years to his life and life to his years, from his primary care team, to cancer centre staff, people in palliative care and hematology, hematology-oncology, rehab services, home care and many more. We would like to offer special thanks to the incredibly caring staff at the Hospice at May Court where Roger spent his final weeks. It is truly a special place made special by its people. You gave us the gift of compassion and dignity at the end of Roger’s life, and for that we are profoundly grateful.
A celebration of Roger’s life will take place Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road (at Albion Road). Light refreshments will be served.
In memory of Roger, donations to the Hospice Care Ottawa (May Court Site) in lieu of flowers would be appreciated to ensure others receive the same compassionate end of life care Roger had.
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