Shrewsbury – Albert A. Rogers (formerly Rojcewicz), 96, of Shrewsbury and St. Martin, formerly a longtime resident of Northborough, died on March 1, 2021. Albert was a proud and decorated World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force.
He leaves his wife of 73 years, Adelaide (Staplin) Rogers; a son, Albert Rogers II of Northborough; and three grandchildren, Jill Becker-Witherell of Louisville, Ky., John Anthony Becker of West Boylston, and Albert Rogers III of New Hampshire. Albert was preceded in death by his daughter, Anna Karbowski of West Boylston; his five sisters, Felicia Fontain, Leocadia Guenter, Gertrude Barry, Helen Maher, and Johanna Parker; and his brother, John Rojcewicz).
Albert was born in Worcester, son of Felecian and Teresa (Solohub) Rojcewicz, and lived many years in Auburn, Northborough, Worcester, and Shrewsbury.
He attended the University of Missouri and in 1942 enlisted in Army Air Corps where he became a Navigator Flight Officer and honorably served duty in the China, Burma, India theatres with the 374 Bomb Squadron, which was part of the Flying Tigers. He received the Presidential Citation Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with Bronze Star besides numerous other citations.
In 1946, Albert purchased the Wesson Estate in Northborough and opened and operated it as the Northboro Manor. Selling it in 1953, the name was then changed to White Cliffs. He then became a distributor for the Kirby Co. in Worcester and owned the Aladan Vac Center where he worked for 33 years. He was also a real estate broker and associate real estate developer.
Albert was past president of the Suburban Antique Dealers Association, past president of Kiwanis Club of Shrewsbury and a past member of the Northborough Lions Club, Worcester Exchange Club and the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 in Northborough.
He was an avid organic gardener and devoted many years in caring for unwanted, abused dogs.
Albert’s family respectfully suggest that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Coast Italian Greyhound Rescue, c/o Mary Frankio, 143 Fullerton Ave., Whitman, MA 02382 (http://www.eastcoastigrescue.org/Donate).
A calling hour will take place on Saturday, March 6, from 9 – 10 a.m., at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main St., Northborough. A funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. in St. Bernadette Parish, 266 Main St., Northborough. Albert will then be laid to rest with Military Honors in the Howard Street Cemetery of Northborough. All services will follow current Massachusetts Covid 19 guidelines for safety and social distancing. Please plan accordingly.
To leave a condolence or to share a story, please visit www.HaysFuneralHome.com.
