BREWSTER, MA – Our beloved father, Rogers Fowler, passed away peacefully at the Maplewood Assisted Living Facility on March 27th with family by his side.
Rogers was born in Springfield , MA on January 22, 1933, the son of Gertrude and Karl Fowler. He grew up in DeWitt, NY and graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1951. After high school Rogers pursued a business degree at Nichols College in Dudley Mass.
He met the love of his life, Gloria, in high school and the two were married on April 3, 1954. Rogers went to work for Kraft foods as a sales representative in Up-State NY and took up residence in East Syracuse, where he and Gloria started their family.
Rogers job with Kraft brought them to the Clinton area where he called on his future employer, Victory Markets of Norwich, NY. Once employed by Victory Markets Rogers and Gloria chose to move their family to Sherburne, which became their home for the next 30 years.
Rogers and Gloria purchased the former Records IGA Foodliner in 1973. Within a few years the stores name was changed to the Sherburne Big M. Rogers work ethic, charm and wit, along with the help of his family and talented staff created a successful independent business that continues to thrive 43 years later.
Rogers and Gloria purchased Hendrickson’s Market in Earlville, NY in 1981 and renamed it the Earlville Little M. In 1987 the dream continued with the purchase of Rowe’s Red and White grocery store in DeRuyter, NY. That store became the DeRuyter Big M, which remains today.
Rogers and Gloria retired in 1994 and their love of travel brought them to many destinations as well as several new homes over the next 22 years. At various times they resided in North Carolina, Arizona and Florida before finally settling, full time, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Rogers was very proud of his Sherburne, NY community and always showed it with his generosity. If you had the opportunity to know him, you know how much everyone in Sherburne meant to him.
Rogers is survived by his Loving wife, Gloria, his son Ken and daughter-in-law Jayne, his son Tom and daughter-in-law Laurie, his son Jim and Daughter-in-law Barb, grandchildren Zach, Ryan, Kate, Lauren, Tyler, Jordan, Bradley and Emily, as well as four Great Grandchildren. Rogers was predeceased by his parents.
The Family wishes to express their thanks to the staff of Maplewood and Hospice, nurses and caregivers, for their kindness, compassion and support.
Per Rogers’ request there will be no calling hours and the services will remain private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in Rogers memory, to any local SPCA or Hospice.