Alfred Raymond Rogers

Alfred Raymond Rogers passed away peacefully on July 1st, 2021 in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he had lived since 2018 after moving from Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Born in Hartford on April 7, 1931, he was the son of John E. Rogers, Jr. and Oretta Majors Rogers. In 1949, he graduated from Manchester High School and then earned a BA from the University of Connecticut in 1953. While at UConn, he was a member of Phi Epsilon Pi and a varsity football player, who was named first team All-New England and All-Connecticut as a defensive tackle. As a distinguished ROTC student, he received a regular Army commission and served as a battery commander in South Korea. In 1963, he received a doctor of law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. While in law school, Alfred worked for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. His long career with Northeast Utilities (now Eversource) began in 1964. He retired in 1994 as Regional Vice President, and went on to serve as President and CEO of the Hartford Urban League until 1998. Long active in civic affairs, he served as member of the Hartford Board of Education for eight years, as president for two years. He was a member of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Hartford and its president for two years. He served as a director of the YMCA, a trustee of Saint Joseph College, a director of Hartford Hospital, a corporator of Saint Francis Hospital, a director of Mechanics Savings Bank, chair of the Camp Courant Advisory Committee, member of the Economic Development Agency in the town of Canton, and a vice chair of the Bradley International Airport Commission among other roles. All who knew him will remember Alfred for his warmth and good humor. He enjoyed swimming whether in the ocean or a pool, and music was a lifelong passion. His blindness in later years did not impair his positive outlook on life. Alfred was predeceased by his parents and brother, John E. Rogers III, and sisters, Margaret Dwen Andrews and Enid Oretta Rogers. He leaves his brother, James O. Rogers, and wife, Lorraine; sister-in-law, Henrietta Rogers; brother-in-law, Douglas Andrews; nieces and nephews, John E. Rogers IV, Margaret D. Andrews, Meryth D. Andrews, Sharon E. Rogers, and David A. Rogers; and many cousins and friends. His family wishes to thank the staff at Arden Courts Silver Spring for their loving care of Alfred. Funeral arrangements are private. Friends may contact the family via James Rogers, 10450 Lottsford Rd, #4207, Bowie, MD 20721 or at arrogers17@aol.com. Contributions in his memory may be made to Equal Justice Initiative, 122 Commerce St., Montgomery, AL, 36104, or No KId Hungry, 1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 1100 W, Washington DC, 20005, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

--Obituary, Hartford Courant, https://www.courant.com/obituaries/alfred-raymond-rogers-hartford-ct/, accessed 12/23/2025