May 18, 2020
Corey, Roger and Dorothy
Roger E. Corey, born March 16, 1921, and Dorothy (Haywood) Corey, born December 22, 1916, first met in the Spring of 1944 while both were stationed in West Palm Beach, Florida with the Army Air Corps. Roger served as a radar specialist and Dorothy as a cryptographer. If asked, she had to tell folks she was a secretary, even though she helped tend the SIGABA machine which decoders called “the baby” They dated for three months, married September 2nd, and were inseparable for 75 years. Roger grew up in Central Massachusetts and Dot (as she was called), in Candor, North Carolina on a peach farm. Before they met, Roger attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Dot went to Meredith College, taught school and coached basketball. After the war, they returned to Massachusetts where Roger worked at the Raytheon Corporation and then the New England Telephone Company. Dot became a devoted wife and mother, avid gardener and was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Westwood, MA where they were long-time residents. Keeping decades of diaries, they typed their memoirs and shared a lifetime of keepsakes, always including handwritten notes so that family might learn and remember their stories. Among those stories, Dot recalled itching from the peach fuzz during harvest and their many dogs – all named Shep! She told of how she and her sister played barefoot over a precarious goldmine shaft nearby, and of the woman who helped her find a blue dress for her wartime wedding. Roger told of Worcester streetcars and Springfield horseshoe courts, of hunting with his father for food during the Depression, and of his Morse code / HAM radio community from old states, like Rhodesia and the Kingdom of Siam. He also vividly recalled his first sighting of Dot, describing her copper hair, bright green dress and her shapely figure! Always loving, noble and humble, they sweetly shrugged whenever anyone marveled at the improbable journey of their lives. Roger,(99) and Dot, (103) succumbed to Covid-19 on April 25th and May 3rd 2020 respectively. Incredible parents, they dearly loved their family. Three sons (David, James and John), their sons’ wives, (Mary, Yola, and Kris), their five grandchildren and their spouses (David/Rebekah, Jeffrey/Stephanie, Sarah/Todd , Danielle/David, and Michael), their six great grandchildren (Lane, Luke, Eden, Micah, Liam and Wren), and many relatives and friends survive them. They will be greatly missed. Donations may be made in their memory to either the First Baptist Church or the South Shore Habitat for Humanity, both in Westwood. A celebration of their lives will be scheduled as circumstances allow.
Comments(12)
Thanks so much for the legacy you have given all of us. You will be treasured and missed every day. It has been a delight to call you Mom and Dad.
Love alwasy, Kris and John
This is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever written. Makes me think of my own grandmothers. Prayers to you all.
We were next door neighbors to Dot and Roger in Westwood for many years and were delighted to get to know them. Such a lovely couple; Dot always the picture of elegance even when outside gardening (never a speck of dirt on her) and Roger was such a gentleman, always willing to lend a tool or just catch up and talk. We are so very sorry for your loss. We will always remember them with very fond memories. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family at this difficult time.
John
I was so sorry to hear about your parents’ passing. Please accept my condolences to you and your family during this time.
Dick Haley
Kennebunk, ME
Dear John, I was both amazed at your parents’ stories and saddened to hear of their deaths, they were always so kind to me. They were clearly so loved and will be so missed by your family. Love to you and Kris, XO Cin
John,
I am truly saddened to hear about the passing of your parents. What a great love story and legacy for you and your family. I didn’t know your dad but your mother was forever smiling and always so warm and welcoming. I do believe they are together somewhere still enjoying each other’s company. I am thinking of you and your family.
With deepest sympathy,
Carol
John,
Your parents were remarkable for their long life together and the manner in which it ended. “Till death do us part” separated them only briefly as they passed from this life into the next.
Wendy and I thought about (and prayed for) you often during the height of the pandemic and hope that your cherished memories of them give you great comfort.
Rolly and Wendy
Dear John and Chris, thank you so much for your recent letter and the opportunity to read about your parents remarkable story. You have truly been blessed with an incredible Legacy. And may this Legacy continue with you both, your children and their children. May God bless you and keep you, May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6 24 through 27. With love and much prayer for you, Chuck and Michaele
As a boy growing up in the fifties and sixties, Roger, W1AX, was a legend and role model whose CW (radio telegraphy) skills he demonstrated and this youngster tried to learn. Only knew him “on the air.” I held him with the highest level of respect.
When I was a teenager growing up in Concord, NH, Roger became one of my mentors and always someone to look up to and be admired. His persona and operating ability were things to be emulated and served as an example of how things shoould be done. Many thanks, Roger. RIP.
Dennis McAlpine, K2SX
Roger was a hero,a mentor and a friend. I will always remember our conversations on the ride from Westwood to the CWA field day site. RIP pal
John, Kris and Corey family,
A belated but sincere note of sympathy for the passing of Roger and Dorothy. They were among the most loving and wonderful couples I have ever met. Great, curious, interesting folks who had a wonderful life! They were always so gracious to me when I hung around at Warwick Rd or when I tagged along to Newcastle.
Sorry for your loss.
Our condolences,
Bob And Martha Bennett