A Celebration of Life for John Rogers of Mississauga

On our way from Waterloo to Mississauga

It was a gorgeous end of summer and the start of an autumn day!


We were in Waterloo this Sunday but ended our visit early as we wanted to attend the memorial service of John Rogers and honour his life.

Life is precious and fragile; it can end suddenly taking with it the ones we love with little forewarning.

A memorial service for John Rogers

As we were driving to John's memorial service, I thought of John Rogers and images of his friendly face kept coming back to me.

Unfortunately, I did not have the privilege of  knowing John on a more personal level. What I knew of him was through a few encounters at some family gatherings.

 A humble person, John never bragged about his numerous community involvements, valuable contributions made to the city he loved and the medals he was awarded for his community services.

A successful business man who opened and ran a business for many years in the city of Mississauga, John still  found time to volunteer in public service.

Credit Valley Golf and Country Club, Mississauga

The memorial service was held at the Credit Valley Golf and Country Club where John and his beloved wife, June, have been members for years.

The place was packed with guests who wanted to celebrate John's life

We got there shortly after 5:30pm and the place was packed with people who wanted to honour and celebrate his life, a tribute to John's down to earth personality, his open, and warm welcoming approach to everyone he met.

M., John's son paying tribute to his dad

I remembered well the first time I met John. It was at a co- ed wedding shower for his elder son, M, and his bride to be, J.

The shower was held at the backyard of our humble abode and the guests were mostly young people, friends and families of the bride.

John and June hardly knew anybody at the party save their son and his betrothed.  There were some obvious and subtle cultural differences that John experienced for the first time at this party.

However, John did not feel uncomfortable or awkward in this unfamiliar setting.  He did not just sit back and kept to himself talking only to people he knew like so many of us tend to do. He made an effort and talked to others he didn't know, genuinely enjoying the party.  He was a good sport and he took part in all the games and activities which we planned for the soon to be married couple and guests.

We had a really fun time together!  As I am writing this piece, I vividly recall the good laughs we had bringing a smile to my face.

As in the movie " The Big Fat Greek Wedding", John's son's wedding was a big fat Chinese wedding. John and June made an effort to get to know his new in-laws and other extended family members.

Though we are not immediate family members of John's daughter-in-law,  my husband and I and other family members were invited to John's house for a lovely luncheon.  My brother and his wife, John's new in-laws were invited to their cottage and other events long after the wedding. I often heard my brother talking about their pleasant visits with John and what a great time they had together.

There were many tributes and interesting stories shared at John Rogers' memorial service including Hazel, the former mayor of Mississauga.
I learned of John's wonderful contributions and services to his community and the tremendous support he gave to the young people through  tributes paid by fellow guests. I wished I knew him better.

A reception followed after guests paid tribute and celebrated John's life 

I read once somewhere that it is not important how long one has lived on this earth but by HOW one lived and how much one accomplished in his/ her life.

John has lived a good blessed life and he was dearly loved by his family and friends. His life has touched many and impacted numerous.






Farewell, John, till we meet in heaven one day. I will make sure I'll get to know you much better in the eternal life!

R.T.
Toronto