Roger A. Andrews Sr., 78

STANDISH — Roger A. Andrews Sr., 78, died on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at the Gosnell Hospice House with his loving family by his side.

Roger was born Feb. 22, 1940, in Milo, the son of the late Philip W. and Dorothy A. (Davis) Andrews. After school, Roger enlisted and served in the United States Air Force. On July 20, 1968, he married the love of his life, Dolores Greene. It was an instant family, as Roger took on the father role, and helped raise Dolores’ four children before having a fifth child of their own.

Always wanting to provide for his family, Roger worked for 31 years as a fork lift operator at W.H. Shurtleff Company before retiring in 2002. In his spare time, he was a collector of coins, records and baseball cards. He loved playing cribbage, poker on his computer, sitting outside by his fire pit, hunting and fishing, and was an avid history buff and especially loved watching old WWII movies. Roger loved spending time in the outdoors and was most proud of his five children that he and Dolores raised. He will be long remembered as a big hearted, kind, gentle and loving husband and dad who never once raised a hand to any of his children. He was a life member of the Harold T. Andrews Post of the American Legion, and a life member of the VFW.

Roger was predeceased by his wife, Dolores Andrews, in 2018; and a stepson, Ronald Vezina.

He is survived by a son, Roger A. Andrews Jr. of Auburn; two stepsons, Philip Vezina and Richard Vezina, both of South Portland; a stepdaughter, Margaret Lucier of Standish; 10 grandchildren including Ronald Vezina of Naples; six great-grandchildren including Rylee and Emily Vezina of Naples; a brother, Dale Andrews of Gorham; a sister, Judith Dolan of North Carolina; several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours celebrating Roger’s life were held on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A service followed at 12 p.m. at the Chapel. Burial was in Brooklawn Memorial Park, Congress Street, Portland.

To view Roger’s memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com

Those who wish may make contributions in Roger’s memory to: Westbrook Animal Refuge League, PO Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.