HAMPDEN – Roger Dale Crooker, 55, passed away Nov. 26, 2013, at Mass General Hospital after a lengthy illness with his family by his side. Roger was born Dec. 25, 1957, in Bangor, the son of Merle and Helen (Atkinson) Crooker.
Roger grew up in Hampden where he was a graduate of Hampden Academy. He served 12 years in the National Guard while working as a Boiler Engineer for 23 years at International Paper. He also worked for Sears, Bower Skate, as a prison guard at the Thomaston State Prison, delivered product for Maine Oxy and Acetylene, and lastly worked for Webber Energy and Dead River delivering home heating oil. Roger previously served on the Hampden Fire Department and held several offices in the Eastern Star Grange No. 1 of Hampden. In his spare time he enjoyed junking, tinkering on anything and everything as he was a excellent mechanic, and being with animals, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Roger will be remembered as a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Roger is survived by his mother, Helen Crooker of Hampden; his loving wife of 17 years, Cathy Jo (Kenney) Crooker of Hampden; children, Naomi Crooker of Bangor, Dale Crooker of Carmel, and Gabriel Crooker of Stillwater; his grandchildren, Hope, Mackenzie, Anthony, Hannah Mae, and Mitchell; siblings, Brian Crooker, Larry Crooker, Joyce Cummings, Scott Crooker, Norma Shaw, Randy Crooker, Faith Baker, and Janet Crooker; he will be dearly missed by his uncle Carl and auntie Rowena Crooker of Winterport and Hampden; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carol, Cindy, Roscoe, and Jen who thank him for accepting them into his family; dear friends, Richard and Sharon Newcomb of Hampden and Bradley and Pamela Tollefson of Mississippi; many nieces, nephews, friends, and his cat, Jinx. Roger was predeceased by his father, Merle A. Crooker; and his dog, Boomer.
Family and friends are invited to visit 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a memorial service will begin at 7 p.m. with Pastor Bob Hartell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 51 US. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074. Messages of condolence and memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com.
Roger D. Crooker
