SURRY – Roger F. Billings, 60, died Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at his home. He was the husband of Ruth T. Billings. Mr. Billings was born April 23, 1948, in Miami, the son of Priscilla Robb Billings and Elliot A. Billings. He grew up in Miami and in Falmouth, Mass. A graduate of Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., Mr. Billings enjoyed a peripatetic college career that began at Colby College, Waterville, and culminated in degrees in English and business from Framingham (Mass.) State College. He spent nearly 40 years working in business operations and financial management. At the time of his death, Mr. Billings was controller of Brooklin Boat Yard, Brooklin. An accomplished sailor, Roger learned to sail at the Coral Reef Yacht Club, Coral Gables, Fla. He was a lifetime member of Quissett Yacht Club, Falmouth, Mass., where he raced and taught throughout his youth. He represented the U.S. in sailing in the Junior Olympics and completed The Transatlantic Race on the yawl Shearwater in 1969. Sailing with his loved ones on Buzzards Bay in Idler, Grace and other boats gave Roger decades of fond memories and reams of excellent stories. Later in life, Roger developed a love of-and even a bit of talent for-fly-fishing. A founding member of Larry Lewis Black Salmon Club, Roger in 2007 won the club’s hard-fought annual fishing tournament on the Miramichi River, New Brunswick. He also was a former board member of Downeast Salmon Federation. Mr. Billings was a lifelong Episcopalian. He served on church vestries in Texas and Connecticut. He accepted as his mission aiding the needy through his service at food pantries and was honored by the dioceses in both states for this ministry. At his death, he was an active member of St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, Blue Hill, where he served on the altar guild. In addition to his parents and his beloved wife of 28 years, Mr. Billings is survived by his sons, Matthew Herrick Stearns and Elliot Meier Billings; his grandchildren, Kathryn and Ethan; his brothers, Charles, Stephen, George and John; and his sister, Cynthia. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, Blue Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in Mr. Billings’ name be given to Hancock County Homecare & Hospice, P.O. Box 156, Blue Hill, ME 04614 or St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church, 330 Hinckley Ridge Road, P.O. Box 76, Blue Hill, ME 04614. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
ROGER F. BILLINGS
