Horatio Rogers Jr., 74, Was Journalist on Cape

Horatio (Ray) Rogers Jr. of Red Bay, Fla., died on Feb. 26 in the arms of his loving wife, Dottie (Dorothy Taylor Rogers), following a six-month battle with lung cancer. He was three days past his 75th birthday.

Mr. Rogers was the third of four children of Dr. and Mrs. Horatio Rogers. He was graduated from Milton Academy in 1946, attended Harvard University, class of 1950, and served in the U.S. Army, 28th Infantry Division, in Germany from 1951 to 1953. He was county editor and sports editor of the Ashtabula (Ohio) Star-Beacon before becoming editor and publisher of The Register in Yarmouth from 1955 to 1975.

As a journalist, Mr. Rogers was outspoken on political, environmental and educational issues affecting Cape Cod in particular. He was a keen observer of people and the world around him, and was an active participant in numerous theatre and music performing organizations throughout his life. His deep affection for his friends and family, his passions for life, sailing and the sea, along with his humor, talent and respect for a good story made a deep impression on all who knew him.

After retiring from the newspaper business in 1976, he moved to southern Florida where he lived for a time aboard his 35-foot sailboat, Argonaut. Once ashore, he and Dottie lived in the Florida Keys before moving to the panhandle in March of 2002.

Mr. Rogers is survived by his wife, four children from his first marriage to Sheila Stires, and two stepchildren from his second marriage to Lois Ineson. He was predeceased by a son, Malcolm, in 1972 and by his wife, Lois, in 1975. Survivors include children Ellen Amelia Rogers and husband Patrick Littlefield of Boxborough, Horatio Rogers and wife GayeMarie of Penobscot, Me., Nathaniel Rogers and wife Veronica of Crawford, Colo., Robert Rogers and wife Catherine of Wilton, Me.; stepchildren Steven Roberts of York, Me., Susan Roberts Jastram of Stuart, Fla., and 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a brother, Samuel Rogers of North Andover and North Chatham, and two sisters, Lucia Rogers Vorys of Paonia, Colo., and Amelia Rogers Guise of Hanover, N.H., and North Chatham.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. at St. David's Episcopal Church, 205 Old Main street, South Yarmouth. Donations may be made in his memory to Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578.