Roger Andrew Woonsam
elevated yD0Bq November 28, 1968 – March 23, 2026Â
elevated yD0Bq Obituary
Roger Andrew Woonsam passed away suddenly, surrounded by family, on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, at the age of 57. Roger was born on November 28th, 1968, in Trinidad and Tobago to Lorna (Superville) Woon Sam and Ernie Woon Sam. He was predeceased by his father, Ernie. When Roger was 4 months old, he moved with his family to the Greater Toronto Area, where he lived for the rest of his life.
He will be remembered as a devoted father, a new grandfather, a loving partner, and a wonderful brother and business partner. He was deeply passionate about the Dallas Cowboys and personal development. His warmth, kindness, light, optimism, adventurous spirit, and loving nature will live on in everyone who loved him.
Roger is survived by his daughters, Cheyenne (Jean-Baptiste Kasenda) and Jade; his son Emmitt;Â his grandson Malachi Kasenda; his partner Tracy Ann Bellemare; the mother of his children, Denise; JJ, who he was a role model to; his mother Lorna Woon Sam; his siblings Colin Woon Sam (Kelly), Cheryl WoonSam-Alphonso (Wayne), and Karen Woon Sam-Cotterell (Hugh); and his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and colleagues.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 2nd, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Assumption Catholic Cemetery and Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 4th, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the same location (6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, ON). The service will be followed by a Celebration of Life from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Wildflower Kitchen and Social Event Space (35 Brunel Road, Unit 2 and 3, Mississauga, ON).
elevated yD0Bq
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Visitation
Thursday, April 2, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Â
Assumption Catholic Funeral Home Chapel
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4Â Â Â Â Â
elevated yD0Bq Funeral Service
Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.Â
Assumption Catholic Funeral Home Chapel
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4Â Â Â Â Â
elevated yD0Bq To view the funeral service, please click HERE.
elevated yD0Bq CremationÂ
Assumption Catholic Cemetery
6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga, ON L5T 1N4Â Â Â
elevated yD0Bq Memorial Tributes
Donations in Roger’s memory can be made to Food Banks Canada.Â
My younger brother, this was and still is a shock to me. When I woke up on Monday, I never expected my day to start off with such sad news. I’m so happy I got to go to Tobago with my siblings and their partners last year. A memory I will cherish forever. Say hello to Dad when you get there. Love you!
I was so sad and shocked to hear about Roger passing away as I know he was and will always be such a treasured member of your family.
I remember Roger from the past but also because he stood out at Kristen and Arakel’s wedding constantly full of smiles, joking around, chatting with family and loving to dance to all the great music.
I feel for all of your family and his close friends as it’s easy to imagine that you all loved him so much and he loved you all back. Big Hugs to all.❤️
Karen, Cheryl, and family, I am so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. Please know your family is in my prayers.
I am struggling to find the right words as Roger was not just a friend; he was a “brother” to me. My heart is absolutely broken for you and the whole family. He was one of a kind, and I feel so lucky to have known him.
I’m so shocked and sorry to hear about this. My condolences to the family and all that loved him.
Roger was an exceptional person and always encouraging.
His light in this world will be truly missed.
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard, but always near. So loved, so missed, and held so dear.”dear Roger you arefor me more than a brother I talk to you. I see you more than my family 28 years. We know each other. You’re a part of me. Dear brother:Colin Sister Cheryl and the family and myself, considering a part of the family my deepest prayers and condolences
I am so sorry to hear about Rogers sudden passing. Hard to believe. He will never be forgotten. Wayne and I will miss him. My condolences and sympathy to his family. I will continue to pray and ask Jesus to help you during this difficult time.
Roger my godson was an amazing young man who loved his family dearly and we all loved and respected him. The last time I saw him was when he gave me 6 of his fish pastels that he brought from Trinidad, that’s the caring person he was and I will cherish
those last moments with him forever. Rest in peace my dear nephew.
Roger was nothing but good to everyone! Uncle Rog to so many. One of the BEST fathers I have ever met. Loved his children so much. Heart of gold 💛 his kind, caring personality will be remembered for ever 🙏🏽
Rest in peace my fried
first time we met we he’d it off and you were my boss but we become a good friends i’m still in shock that your not with us i will miss our weekly talk i will always love you you and cherish your friendship until we meet again my friend
my deepest condolences to collin shyral and the whole family
Roger taught me the importance of patience through of all the chess games me and him played and he was also a good role model for me
I want to thank God for the life of my dear friend Roger whom I had the pleasure of having in
My life since 1975 . Roger’s influence and positive energy has influence a lot of my decisions and outlook and I can’t express in words how shocking this death was having spoken to him last
Month. May his soul rest in eternal peace. We love the Woonsam family and are praying for you. Conrad
I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Roger. He was truly an exceptional leader and a wonderful person who made a lasting impact on all of us. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him and learn from his guidance.
My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.
So saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Roger. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family especially, Denise and the children and the Dunkley family. Thinking of you all during this very difficult time. Love and prayers to you all.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Roger. He was an incredibly humble and kind person, and just a joy to be around. Back when we worked together, he was always the one to uplift me and encourage me to rise to the task. I will always cherish our last conversation, where he kept kindly telling me how young and ‘fresh’ I looked. His uplifting words and spirit will always stay with me.
In my language we say “Ndakuu bimpa tshiviyela” meaning go in peace my brother
From the first day I met Roger he welcomed me into the family like his son. His energy was so contagious I will always remember the laughs we shared and all the moments we had together. Although his time here with us was short lived – it was lived. I will always remember and carry his smile and make sure your grandson and all your grand children feel that energy through me and that they also cheer for the Dallas Cowboys. I will miss you dearly Roger there’s so much I wanted to do together but I know that you live through your children and grandson. As he would always say “ think about what you want “ and today I’m thinking about you at peace with your father catching up and watching over us. Until we meet again Roger.
Dear Cheyenne, Jade, Emitt,
I was so deeply saddened to hear about Roger’s passing. Please know that our hearts are with you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.
Your dad was truly one of a kind — always remembered for his big smile, his larger-than-life personality, and the warmth he brought into every room. I will always cherish the moments we shared over the years, especially the laughs and the unwavering loyalty we had cheering on the Dallas Cowboys together, no matter how bad the season was.
More than anything, he was a proud and devoted father, and it showed in everything he did. He also built so much through his work and spirit as an entrepreneur — something to truly be proud of.
Those moments we shared may have been few, but they were meaningful and lasting, and I will always remember him fondly.
Wishing you strength, comfort, and peace in the days ahead. Please know we are thinking of you all and sending our love.
Roger was like a younger brother. My mom would watch him after school. He sat in my knee we’d laugh. He’d call me when I’d do deliveries. I was stuck in snow. He’d make sure I was alright text with him Friday and it was the happiest day of his life as he was holding his grandson, Malachi. So joyful.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Roger was a truly wonderful person, and he will be deeply missed.
Mirza
Gone too soon but not to be forgotten.
Only the fondest memories of fun times Carlton and I were so fortunate to have shared with you.
Praying that treasured memories provide soothing comfort to your loved ones as they come to accept your passing.
We were on a Zoom call with Roger just this past Saturday, March 21.
In true Roger fashion, he carried his warm and genuine smile throughout the call. He listened attentively to everyone who shared and contributed in ways that added real depth and meaning to the conversation.
When Roger looked at someone, they felt seen and understood.
At the end of the call, he was the last to disconnect. Before leaving, he gifted everyone with his familiar smile and said, “Bye everyone, I love you all.”
That was Roger. He saw the gift in others, even when they didn’t always see it in themselves.
We feel grateful to have known him, and he will be deeply missed. His presence will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Roger. He was a true friend whose kindness and warmth touched everyone around him. Roger had a rare ability to make people feel seen and supported, and his positive spirit brought light into even the most challenging days.
He was thoughtful, warm, kind, ambitious, and genuinely happy in the way he approached both life and work. It was an honour to know him, to work alongside him, and to call him a friend.
Roger will be greatly missed, but his memory will always stay with us in the countless moments of laughter, encouragement, and friendship we shared.
I’m so shocked and so very sorry to hear of the passing of Roger. Our sincere condolences to the Woon Sam’s. May he rest in peace.
He taught me the importance of patience during all the chess games me and Roger shared together and he was a good role model
We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Roger. He truly touched so many lives and will be profoundly missed. Roger had a remarkable way of making everyone laugh, always bringing positivity and light into every room. He built genuine connections with those around him and nurtured his relationships with such care—whether with family, friends, or even strangers.
To me, he was also a truly wonderful brother-in-law—kind, supportive, and someone I feel grateful to have known. His presence in our lives meant so much.
This sudden loss is truly devastating. Our hearts go out to Cheyenne, Jade, and Emmitt, his beloved children, and to the entire Woonsam family. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers as you navigate this incredibly difficult time. May you find strength in the love that surrounds you and comfort in the many beautiful memories shared with Roger.
I was so shocked to hear of the passing of truly an amazing man….I shared almost 25 years of marriage 3 amazing gifts our children. Cheyenne, Jade and Emmitt. Our biggest accomplishments was having you all. We are so proud of you. Take comfort knowing your dad will always be watching and protecting over you. You are his legacy and he loved you all so much. His zest of life and adventure was unstoppable. We had a great run and big part of eachothers life. I will always have him in my heart greatful for the time we had. We will always have the bond of our kids and our extension of his new grandson Malachi. He lives on in so many ways and impact in so many hearts. Roger I know you will always be there in spirit….sleep in peace….I will be physically there for our kids as you will spiritually be there watching over them. đź•Šđź•Šđź•Šlove Dee
It is with profound sadness and heavy heart we heard of Roger’s sudden passing. Having been by his side so recently, nothing could have prepared us for such a brutal and unexpected departure. The moments we shared with him will remain engraved in our hearts; moments filled with kindness, laughter, jokes, and the warmth he carried so naturally. Losing someone so dear, so suddenly, leaves an immense void. We share in your sorrow . May each of us find solace in the precious memories we hold, and in the quiet moment of peace that so deeply characterized him. In these painful times, please know that we are with you and we stand by your side
I feel incredibly grateful to have known Roger. He was such a natural at making people feel loved and welcomed, and I feel blessed to have been on the receiving end of his warmth and kindness so many times growing up. He always made me feel like family, no matter how much time had passed.
Roger, I promise to always look out for Chey and be there for her through whatever life brings. You will be missed more than words can say.
Love Liz
C’est avec une profonde tristesse que nous avons appris le décès de Roger Andrew Woonsam, survenu le 23 mars 2026.
En ces moments douloureux, la famille Kasenda tient à exprimer à toute votre famille ses sincères condoléances ainsi que son soutien le plus profond. La perte d’un époux, d’un père et d’un être cher laisse un vide immense que les mots ne peuvent pleinement apaiser.
Roger était un homme de bien, notre ami et notre frère. Myriam et François ont partagé plusieurs moments précieux avec lui à Ottawa. Sa mémoire restera à jamais vivante dans nos cœurs.
Nous garderons de lui le souvenir d’un homme empreint de bonté, de chaleur humaine et de générosité. À travers les liens familiaux qui nous unissent, nous partageons votre peine avec beaucoup d’émotion.
Nous vous souhaitons de trouver réconfort et paix dans les souvenirs précieux que vous avez partagés avec lui, ainsi que dans l’amour de ceux qui vous entourent.
En ces temps de deuil, sachez que nous sommes de tout cœur avec vous et que nous vous accompagnons par la pensée et la prière.
Avec toute notre sympathie, nous partageons ensemble cette dure Ă©preuve.
La famille Kasenda
Roger was a kind, warm, and generous man, a true friend and brother. Myriam and I shared many meaningful moments with him in Ottawa—memories we will always cherish and hold close to our hearts. Our two families, the Woonsam family and the Kasenda family, are deeply affected and heartbroken by this great loss.
My uncle was someone truly special in my life. When I was young, I looked up to him with awe and admiration—he had this way of making everyone around him feel seen and valued. He always took the time to pay attention to what was going on in my life, no matter how small it might have seemed. His kindness, interest, and steady support meant the world to me. We grew up together in so many ways, sharing moments I’ll never forget. I couldn’t have asked for a better uncle, and I will miss him deeply. His memory will always stay with me, a reminder of the warmth and care he brought to my life.
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we heard of Roger’s sudden passing. Having been by his side so recently, nothing could have prepared us for such a brutal and unexpected departure.
The moments we shared with him will remain engraved in our hearts; moments filled with kindness, laughter, jokes, and the warmth he carried so naturally. Losing someone so dear, so suddenly, leaves an immense void.
We share in your sorrow.
May each of us find solace in the precious memories we hold, and in the quiet moments of peace that so deeply characterized him.
In these painful times, please know that we are with you and we stand by your side
So Sad To Hear Of Roger Passing. I Felt A Special Connection With Him. He Got The Crazy Me. He Recently Sent Me Photos Of A Volleyball Event From 2008 That Disher Courier Took Part In. He Was A Very Kind And Caring Human. Fly With The Angels Roger!!!
My Sincere Condolences. My dad passed away suddenly on a Monday morning also a few years ago.
Hey Joseph, sorry for your loss. I know the void and pain will always be there but gets lighter as the time passes.
Thank you 🙏🏽
I am deeply saddened to hear of Rogers passing. I had the pleasure of working for him years ago and have nothing but the fondest memories of my time at HB Disher. Both Roger and Colin were the kindest, most empathetic people. This is such a huge loss to all who knew and loved him. My deepest condolences to all of his loved ones.
Dear Cheryl, Colin and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine. I have known you and your family since 1995 with DMAT and how many times you made deliveries of my paycheck to Innisfil on Friday afternoons. You are all such loving and caring people and testament to your family. My deepest sympathies and prayers at this time to you all. With love Debbie
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on Roger’s passing. May his soul rest in peace, and may you find comfort and strength during this difficult time.
So sad to hear this shocking news ! Roger was an amazing person and both he and Colin played a huge role in supporting us and building the success of our business.
We stated working together over 25 years ago, and the family never let us down, nothing was impossible, and anything could be done.
He will be missed but never forgotten.
Dennis
Dear Cheryl, Colin and family, I am deeply saddened and still in shock to hear about Roger passing away. God must have needed another Angel. Roger was a kind and wonderful person. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to meet him and work with him. He was always so helpful when I scheduled deliveries that urgently needed to be done. Him and his family were always here for me. I am forever thankful, grateful and appreciative. My deepest and heartfelt condolences and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time. Roger, thank you for everything you did for me. You will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace.
Dear Cheryl, Colin and Family.
Keeping you all in my thoughts during this time of unimaginable sadness. Sending heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved Roger. May his memory be a blessing.
This is very sad & shocking to hear. Roger was a great assistance to me over my years at Batten and I’ll always remember his cheerful & positive attitude. Condolences to Roger’s Family.
It is with great sadness I write this. Even though I have only know you for a relatively short time; it was a real pleasure getting to know you and working with you. You are a wonderful person and an amazing boss. You will truly be missed.
My deepest condolences to Colin, Cheryl and the rest of the family, as well as your Disher family.
The world just became a little colder with Roger no longer here with us day to day. In the short few years that I’ve known him, I’ve gained the utmost respect for him as an honourable business person and solid human being. While I look forward to working more with his siblings at Disher, Roger himself will be missed.
As someone who worked with Roger alongside his carrier, I saw nothing but kindness and genuine care in every interaction he had. This news is truly shocking. I wish his family strength and comfort as they navigate this incredibly difficult time. He will be missed forever.
I was so deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Roger. I always appreciated his positive attitude and expertise. He has always helped me by going the extra mile whenever I needed help for deliveries that got issues. He was very hardworking and motivated. He will be truly missed.
You will be deeply missed Roger. You have always been there to support me and my family through all our years of working together. You helped us when nobody else would and I will forever remember how generous you were to us all at the Protopak family.
You taught me how to bet on the ponies Rog when I was 20 years old and took me to many Queen’s Plate days that I will remember forever. I am sad I did not get to say goodbye. My heartfelt condolences Colin and family. I am so so sorry for your loss. Lots of love, Andrea.
We are so sorry to hear of Roger’s sudden passing. Our deepest condolences to the Woon Sam family and to all who loved him. May you all find great strength at this difficult time.
Peace and Love be with you.
My Deepest condolences go out to all the family and friends of Roger. I worked for the family many years ago and I will never forget the how nicely Roger and family treated during that time. I was deeply shocked as I received this information regarding the passing of Roger. My prayers go out to his family and I pray that you all find peace during this difficult time.
I am so glad that I got the opportunity to meet Roger and his family four months ago in Tobago. He was such a warm, friendly and jovial person. To Cheryl, Collin, Karen and the rest of the family i will like to say condolences from my family to yours
I am so glad that I got the opportunity to meet Roger and his family four months ago in Tobago. He was such a warm, friendly and jovial person. To Cheryl, Collin, Karen and the rest of the family i will like to say condolences from my family to yours. May god grant you strength in your time of grief.
To Cheryl, Collin, Karen and the rest of the family, Condolences from the FGL ( Sportchek ) Management team ..
Deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Roger.
A very personable, kind and wonderful man.
Heartfelt condolences to all the Family.
Always remembered.
Arnold & Pauline Coulter and Family
Rogers sir is very kind and great personality he is very humble please accept my deeply condolences. I pray to God to give a strength to the family🙏
Condolences to Tracy and his family. Roger will always be remembered fondly by us all.
May his soul rest in eternal peace in the arms of the Angels and may God grant healing & peace as you grieve.
We are very saddened by the sudden passing of Roger. A big loss to our family. Roger was very special and loved by us all. Our condolences to you all especially Cheyenne, Jade and Emmitt. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. RIP nephew 🦋💙
We would like to extend deepest and heartfelt condolences to Roger’s family! We were so saddened to hear about his passing ! My daughter Melissa was good friends with Cheyenne! Roger was so kind and friendly-just a very great friend! He will will be missed beyond words! The Cormier Family
This world is a better place that Roger was in it. He lead his life from his heart.
I am grateful for the love and life that he shared with my cousin Tracy.
You will forever be in our hearts. Love you and miss you.
I got the opportunity to meet Roger in Tobago a few months ago a wonderful person, condolences to his family and to Tracey sort for you loss from my family to yours.
So so saddened by the lost of Roger! It was such a blessing to meet you although it was a short one.
We had such a beautiful time
together in Florida for Chels wedding.
You’re such a kind and caring man and the compassion you’ve for others.Tracy thanks for sharing him with us and the fond memories we’ll treasure always. Condolences to the entire family and may Roger rest in peace until we meet again.
( Will cheer on the Cowboys for you)✝️❤️🙏🏽
We are so sad to hear of your loss. Roger was always so full of smiles and love. Gone way too soon. Keeping you all in our prayers and thoughts.
Love, Katherine and Stephen Atkinson (Manson)
I was very sorry to hear, through LinkedIn, of Roger’s sudden passing. I had many great interactions with him after he first reached out to us at U-C WEBS nearly twenty years ago.
My sincere condolences to Colin, Cheryl, and all who knew him. Wishing you strength during this difficult time.
I will never forget Roger. We met about 5 years ago and have since been part of a Mastermind group that met 3 times a week. It was always a blessing when he was able to join. He always showed up with his amazing smile, his love, and his kindness.
I feel so blessed that I was able to get to know Roger through these calls and meet him in person last July.
Roger always left a person feeling seen, heard and understood. And he also looked at everything as a gift, even when things were challenging.
He has impacted each of our lives and he will always live on in our hearts.
My deepeat condolences to Roger’s family and to all who loved this wonderful man.
I met Roger when I was 14, in grade 9. We had the exact same schedule, and it felt like we were destined to spend that time together. From the very beginning, he set the bar high. He became close with my family and even carpooled with my brother, Hugh to their first job, the brutal overnight shift loading UPS? or Fedex? trucks. When my brother passed away suddenly, Roger was there for me, sharing stories and memories that brought comfort during that painful time.
We reconnected a few years ago through Facebook and had the chance to catch up on life. I could feel how proud he was when he spoke about his children. His love for his family always shone through. He would check in on me several times a year, always offering encouragement or sharing a YouTube video to lift my spirits or redirect my thinking.
In recent years,he shared with me how elated and excited he was for the future with the love he had been preparing for, who he knew would come, and who he found in Tracy. The very last time we spoke, he was absolutely overjoyed to announce he was going be a grandfather.
I was deeply shocked and heartbroken to hear of his sudden passing. But I take comfort in knowing this:
Roger was truly a blessing. God placed him in our lives so we could experience one of His most prized and beautiful souls. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Good morning,
I’m sure most of you know, but just in case, I’m Colin Woon Sam—Roger’s older brother. Without exaggeration, Roger was an amazing and caring father, a recently proud grandfather, a deeply loved partner, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew and a great and loyal friend to many others.
I can’t express how wonderful it is to see all of you here—your love and support mean more than words can say as we come together to celebrate Roger’s life. On behalf of Roger’s partner, Tracy; my sisters, Cheryl and Karen; Roger’s children, Cheyenne, Jade, and Emmit; and my wife, Kelly, and myself, I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being here today.
It’s a shame that it sometimes takes an event like this for us to connect or reconnect with so many people we might not otherwise see, but we are truly grateful to have you all here.
When I was around seven years old, I used to bug my parents, telling them I wanted a baby brother. By the time I was eight, there didn’t seem to be much progress in this area, so I decided it was time for a heart‑to‑heart. “Mom, Dad—no offence—but these two losers just don’t cut it. They don’t like to fight, or shoot, or get dirty. I want a baby brother!” Eventually, my demands were met, and when Roger was born, I was told he was MY “present”.
Roger and I were alike in many ways—our interests, our humour, our love of sports, our business partnership, and our love for the NFL especially the Dallas Cowboys. We attended many NFL games and tailgate parties together every year for the past 30 years. Now I share that Cowboys connection and it lives on with his son Emmit, my sons Jarret and Jesse, his daughter Cheyenne, our nephew Arron, and will surely live on in his grandson Malachi. “HERE WE GOOOOO!!!!” That’s a Cowboys reference for the football and Cowboys fans amongst you.
As young men, Roger and I shared a deep love for sports, and he had many great accomplishments. He played with a soccer club called Toronto Italia and became a national champion with that team. They even travelled to Italy for an invitational tournament—where I’m pretty sure they won the whole thing. Roger was also an accomplished basketball player and earned “Athlete of the Year” at Morningstar Secondary School for his basketball achievements. He also loved playing hockey as well and continued playing in men’s league until just a few years ago.
Our nephew Arron, a great athlete in his own right, I remember him being confused and down as a young boy about why his name was spelt with two R’s when most Aarons had two A’s. I told him that Aarons with the two A’s in their names—was like having two a‑holes in their names—while you have two R’s in your name because you have two Rogers in your name. Arron got quite a little chuckle out of that and it somehow made him feel better and more proud of his name.
Because of our eight‑year age difference, Roger and I didn’t play organized sports together growing up. But in 1986, knowing my interest in martial arts, Roger suggested we join Jong Park Tae Kwon Do. We trained together for a couple of years under Master Wilfred Marcano. For personal reasons, creating a loving family, Roger stopped training but never had the copportunity to rejoin. I went on to compete and win many tournaments, earned multiple black belts, and became an MMA instructor for over 20 years—but Roger never let me forget the tournament where, as yellow belts, he placed first and I placed third.
Roger’s influence in martial arts lived on in his son Emmit earning his black belt, and all of my children earning their first and second degree black belts or black belt candidates status— all because of Roger.
To me, Roger was always my little brother. So when I hear your stories—your experiences and perspectives of who Roger was—it sometimes catches me off guard. One of Roger’s high school friends, Bryan, recently told me that Roger was the glue that held their group together. I remember thinking, “Wow! Are you sure we’re talking about the same guy? That’s my little brother.”
But the more I listen, the more I realize how true that is. Roger had a way of bringing people together without even trying. He showed up. He listened. He made room for everyone. Whether you knew him as a friend, teammate, coworker, or family member, Roger made you feel like you mattered—and that you belonged.
Roger and I also shared a love for self‑improvement, studying motivational speakers like Tony Robbins, Joseph Cossman, and Bob Proctor. About ten years ago, Roger began his journey with Bob Proctor, and it became a major turning point in his life. Through that journey, he connected with and touched many people, especially our dear friends Brenda Penman and Shawn Kirby. Roger’s work with Bob Proctor, Brenda, and Shawn helped him understand what truly mattered—both in life and in business. He built deep, meaningful relationships with business partners such as Mike McIsaac of EPL; John and Mike from FB; Richard Hachem in Montreal; and Zubair Ebraemi in Calgary, and many others. Not to mention our staff and our brokers whom he treated not only as his equal but also as his friend.
Roger, Cheryl and I ran and built Disher Courier together for the past 30 plus years. We have now been equal partners for several years. While Roger and I didn’t always agree on how things should be done, but our strength was in seeing things differently and always finding a common ground that led to strong solutions for Disher Courier. I proudly say and thank God every day for the opportunity to have worked with two of the most amazing and special people in my life.
As his older brother, I will always remember the kid who was my “present,” who grew into someone I deeply admired and respected. Roger turned the tables and taught me things I never expected to learn from my little/not so little brother—about kindness, loyalty, patience, and quiet strength. We also shared a special, loving connection with our sisters, Cheryl and Karen, that we both cherished and that will never fade. Even when we are apart our spirits will always be close and connected. Our sibling rivalry is who loved who the most! No I loved him more, no I loved him to the moon, well I loved him to the sun!
Roger also had a close connection with my wife Kelly. She has a unique and abstract way of looking at things and he would often bounce ideas off of her giving him a different perspective that neither he nor I posessed. He would also turn to Kelly as a mediator when I was too stubborn to listen. He would go over my head to the BIG BOSS to get his way. Not fair Bro! Not fair!
We are so very grateful for the time the four of us sibs spent with Wayne, Kelly and Tracy in Tobago. We had one of the most amazing times of our lives together. And thanks to the Alenog’s for helping to make it happen and for joining us in making it a very special time that we will never forget.
Roger’s time with us was far too short, but the impact he made is anything but small. He lives on in the stories we share, the laughter we remember, and the connections he helped create among all of us here. He touched and connected many of us that will last us all a lifetime. But he has a higher calling now, and while he was a great gift to all of us, he is now God’s “present”.
Thank you for loving my brother, for remembering him, and for being here today to honour his life. It truly means more than I can put into words!
Thanks to Jessica and the staff at Assumption, Mark and the owner (name) here at Wild Flower and a special thanks to Cheryl, Karen, Chelsea, Vanessa, Jarret, Cindy, Cherisse, and Tracy B, and to all our families members, friends and the many others who contributed to make this a very special day to honour and celebrate the life of our brother ROGER. We love you all and we love you Roger!