Our friend, Roger Breeze
When entering our Sawyer House headquarters, it was often the case that you would hear him before seeing him. That singular stentorian baritone voice, usually accompanied by hearty laughter, was unmistakable and you knew... Roger was there.
It's no surprise that his voice was recognized and remembered by so many here in town, as he was involved in so many aspects of the community for decades; youth soccer coach, involvement with the Bolton Fair and Cemetery Committee, founder/coach of the Nashoba Youth Wrestling Program, active devout member of the First Parish Church, his "Wednesdays with Roger" group meetings at the Library. The definition of an active member of the community, he was a true friend of the Town.
We were indeed fortunate when he joined the Society's Board, and we benefited from his historical acumen and dedication in many ways. He established our successful Historic Houses Tour, conceived and narrated a number of West Cemetery Tours, narrated our "Bolton's Road To Revolution" play. He went as far as refreshing and repainting Sawyer House's fence, even when he was ailing.
But it was from his role as our resident expert genealogist that we most benefited. Roger knew that the stories of the everyday life of the common people is essential to the study of history, and in that regard he was a passionate and consummate researcher. This work resulted in his many weekly "Stories and Tales of Our Town" columns in the Bolton Independent. It's safe to say, Roger most likely knew more about Bolton's citizens and their history than just about anyone in Town.
We say that the Society "serves as the permanent collective memory of the Town," and Roger fully embraced and embodied that sentiment. How fortunate we are to have the research and writings he left, a collective memory, carrying on for him. His columns are invaluable. Sawyer House will not feel the same without his voice. He shall be missed.
When entering our Sawyer House headquarters, it was often the case that you would hear him before seeing him. That singular stentorian baritone voice, usually accompanied by hearty laughter, was unmistakable and you knew... Roger was there.
It's no surprise that his voice was recognized and remembered by so many here in town, as he was involved in so many aspects of the community for decades; youth soccer coach, involvement with the Bolton Fair and Cemetery Committee, founder/coach of the Nashoba Youth Wrestling Program, active devout member of the First Parish Church, his "Wednesdays with Roger" group meetings at the Library. The definition of an active member of the community, he was a true friend of the Town.
We were indeed fortunate when he joined the Society's Board, and we benefited from his historical acumen and dedication in many ways. He established our successful Historic Houses Tour, conceived and narrated a number of West Cemetery Tours, narrated our "Bolton's Road To Revolution" play. He went as far as refreshing and repainting Sawyer House's fence, even when he was ailing.
But it was from his role as our resident expert genealogist that we most benefited. Roger knew that the stories of the everyday life of the common people is essential to the study of history, and in that regard he was a passionate and consummate researcher. This work resulted in his many weekly "Stories and Tales of Our Town" columns in the Bolton Independent. It's safe to say, Roger most likely knew more about Bolton's citizens and their history than just about anyone in Town.
We say that the Society "serves as the permanent collective memory of the Town," and Roger fully embraced and embodied that sentiment. How fortunate we are to have the research and writings he left, a collective memory, carrying on for him. His columns are invaluable. Sawyer House will not feel the same without his voice. He shall be missed.