WESTFIELD – Roger J. Goguen, 76, peacefully passed away Thursday, October 31, 2013. He was the husband for 48 years and was predeceased by his wife, Nawita K. (Culp) Goguen. He was a resident of Westfield for over 40 years. Roger was born in Gardner, MA the son of the late Alcide and Rita (Bourque) Goguen.Roger graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1956. During his High School years he was a member of the Gardner High School Wildcat undefeated 1954 football team. He was named Co-Captain in 1955. He was a member of the All-Star team in 1954 and 1955. Roger was inducted into the Gardner High School Hall of Fame on September 25, 2005.
Roger served with the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960 graduating from the flight line Ground Equipment School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was assigned to Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico and served two years in France.
He worked in New Mexico for the Spa-Gro Construction Company for 10 years in the Drafting and Accounting Departments. He was last employed by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Springfield, MA and by the SpringBoard Technology Corp of Springfield, MA as the Engineering Administration Service Manager for thirty years, retiring in 1999. Roger was also employed by the Forastiere Funeral Home for many years as a Funeral Assistant at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home. Roger was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Church serving as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and as Extraordinary Minister of Communion for many years.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Roger was predeceased by his three sons, Roger D. Goguen and Edward A. Goguen both of Clovis, New Mexico and Eric J. Goguen of Westfield, MA, and his brother- in-law, Albert S. Butkus of Framingham, MA and Michael W. Nicholson of Gardner, MA and daughter in law, Misti Goguen Everett of Clovis, New Mexico. Roger is survived by his two sisters, Doris A. Butkus of Framingham, MA, Irene M. Nicholson of Gardner, MA, a sister-in-law Deene Pando and her partner Linda Shoemaker of Paso Robles, California, Sandra and Tony Madruga of Rescuse, California. Roger was the proud Grandfather of Brandy Goguen and Haleigh Goguen, both of Clovis, New Mexico. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and his longtime friends, Greg and Kimberly Heath, their son Drew Heath, their daughter and Roger’s Goddaughter, Megan Heath all of Westfield, MA and Godson, Gary Butkus of Attleboro, MA.
Roger served with the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1960 graduating from the flight line Ground Equipment School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was assigned to Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico and served two years in France.
He worked in New Mexico for the Spa-Gro Construction Company for 10 years in the Drafting and Accounting Departments. He was last employed by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Springfield, MA and by the SpringBoard Technology Corp of Springfield, MA as the Engineering Administration Service Manager for thirty years, retiring in 1999. Roger was also employed by the Forastiere Funeral Home for many years as a Funeral Assistant at the Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home. Roger was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Church serving as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and as Extraordinary Minister of Communion for many years.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Roger was predeceased by his three sons, Roger D. Goguen and Edward A. Goguen both of Clovis, New Mexico and Eric J. Goguen of Westfield, MA, and his brother- in-law, Albert S. Butkus of Framingham, MA and Michael W. Nicholson of Gardner, MA and daughter in law, Misti Goguen Everett of Clovis, New Mexico. Roger is survived by his two sisters, Doris A. Butkus of Framingham, MA, Irene M. Nicholson of Gardner, MA, a sister-in-law Deene Pando and her partner Linda Shoemaker of Paso Robles, California, Sandra and Tony Madruga of Rescuse, California. Roger was the proud Grandfather of Brandy Goguen and Haleigh Goguen, both of Clovis, New Mexico. He also leaves many nieces and nephews and his longtime friends, Greg and Kimberly Heath, their son Drew Heath, their daughter and Roger’s Goddaughter, Megan Heath all of Westfield, MA and Godson, Gary Butkus of Attleboro, MA.
Roger’s family will gather and welcome friends on, Tuesday, November 5th from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the Southwick Forastiere Family Funeral Home and Cremation, (413)569-5306, 624 College Highway (Highway 202/10) Southwick. Ceremonies will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the funeral home. This will be followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial, celebrated in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 234 Sheep Pasture Road, Southwick, MA at 12:30 p.m. Committal rites and Military Honor will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery, Southampton Road, Westfield, MA.
If you wish memorial contributions may be made to Gardner High School Hall of Fame, 200 Catherine Street, Gardner, MA 01440.
www.forastierefuneralhome.com
If you wish memorial contributions may be made to Gardner High School Hall of Fame, 200 Catherine Street, Gardner, MA 01440.
www.forastierefuneralhome.com
