Roger B. Deforge

Roger B. DeForge, age 76, of Chicopee, MA died peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends on the oncology floor at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA on Saturday, March 30th, 2024.
Roger, affectionately known as “Grampa Rog” and “Roger Dodger” was born in Holyoke, MA on April 6, 1947, to Stella Mae DeForge. He grew up in West Springfield, MA, along with his 4 brothers, he attended local schools and had a keen sense of adventure and was always yearning to wander and explore. His greatest joy was to be with his family.
His adventurous spirit led him to places all over the country, including California, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Ohio, Florida and, in his younger days, he rode his ten-speed bike from Massachusetts to Florida. He worked as a carpenter and painter, sharing his talents and skills at various construction sites and in his daughters’ and other friends and family members’ homes. We treasure the creative wood carvings and paintings he did over the years. He loved to go fishing with his brother, Bill and daughter, Jen, and tried to teach others the fine art of fishing. He was also a ballroom dance teacher and enjoyed dancing wherever he went. He shared his love of singing in many karaoke establishments throughout his travels and if there were scratch tickets to be scratched or an arm on a slot machine to be pulled, he was happy to participate!
The “bucket list” he created with his family in the past two years included: deep sea fishing and catching “the big one”, going to Cape Cod with his family, cruising in the Corvette with his best friend, Brian, attending a Red Sox game and having a hot dog and a beer (and getting a coveted foul ball which he did), going to Vegas and winning “the big one”, seeing the Rockettes and watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve in New York City, traveling to California and Hawaii with his granddaughter, Meg, seeing Niagara Falls & experiencing Key West, going to Florida to be with his brother, Billy and sister-in-law, Linda, cruising to Bermuda, among other things. He was able to complete a lot of his bucket list, he enjoyed every moment, and his greatest joy was being with his beloved family.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Ruth, his mother, Stella Mae (DeForge) Fleury, his stepfather, Patrick Fleury and his cousin and best friend, Raymond Croteau. He is survived by his daughters, Tina Edwards (Brian Edwards) of Springfield, MA and Jennifer DeForge (Roger Blasko) of South Hadley, MA, grandchildren: Justin, Joshua, Mike (Chelsea), Sean (Eric), Meg (Steph), Nick, Chandler, Jayson and Stephen; great grandchildren: Lily, Mason, Sophia and Nora; brothers: Billy DeForge (Linda) of Gulfport, FL, Jimmy DeForge (Patricia) of Agawam, MA, Patrick Fleury (Jackie) of West Springfield, MA, Wayne Fleury (Angie) of Somers, CT; his friend and former wife, Carol Bouchard; many cousins, including Linda Tremblay (who was his cruising companion last August) and nieces and nephews who adored him. He also leaves behind his beloved pet parrot, George, who has been by his side for the past 15 years.
Roger had the brightest smile and those who cared for him over the years and in his last months felt his sincere appreciation and he has left a lasting memory with doctors, nurses and caregivers. We are grateful for the care he received from Western MA Eldercare and O’Connell Care at Home, who were helpful in getting him the care he needed and they regularly checked on him when he was hospitalized. The care he received from the nurses, aides and rehabilitation staff at JGS Sosin Rehabilitation and on the long-term side was outstanding, they gently persuaded him to do what he could and comforted him when he wasn’t able to move as swiftly as he wanted to. He made frequent visits to Baystate Medical Center in the past year, where he encountered the most wonderful, attentive, caring nurses and PCT’s, the staff on the oncology floor became like family to us and we’ll always be grateful for the love and care they showed Roger and all of us. To thank our family and friends for being part of his journey and to celebrate a life well lived, we plan to have a private Celebration of Life. In memory of Roger and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Cancer House of Hope, 1999 Westfield St., West Springfield, MA 01089 or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.