Obituary of Roger A. Reese

Roger Andrew John Reese passed peacefully after a short illness on Thursday, May 24, 2012 in Largo Florida. He was 71 years young. Born on February 25, 1941 in Lockport, NY, Roger was the son of Perry and Josephine (Sykula) Reese. Roger spent his childhood in Lockport, lived in a tight-knit family spending much of his time with his cousin, Sam LaSpada, who remained his best friend throughout their adult lives. Roger developed close friendships during his school years and maintained those relationships his entire life. Roger was always active in athletics and in the community. He excelled at football, baseball, basketball, and track and continued to compete through his college years. He was a 1959 graduate of Lockport High School. He continued his education at the University of Buffalo, where he was a proud brother of the PHI KAPPA PSI fraternity. He received his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Buffalo in 1966. Roger started working for the Lockport School System in 1964 as a Physical Education teacher and eventually became the Athletic Director. During those years he coached wrestling, taught swimming, helped form the Lockport Baseball Midget League, ran the Lockport Community Pool during the summer for many years, and served as the Director of the Lockport Recreation Department. Roger was also known for broadcasting the LSHS football and basketball games on WUSJ with his close friend Warren 'Clip' Smith. Roger was a member of BPO Elks Lodge #41 and a real estate agent for Gothic Equity Real Estate. Roger relocated to Florida in 1984 and for most of those years he resided in Redington Beach. He acquired his Florida Real Estate License and worked for Coldwell Banker until 1997. He became involved in the community serving on the Variance Board, and helped coordinate the annual Redington Beach Christmas Boat Parade obtaining sponsors and organizing events. Roger made it his business to learn about the area in which he lived and whenever visitors came to town he would give them a tour pointing out significant land marks and providing descriptions of beaches, restaurants, and neighborhoods. He would jokingly point out the Reese Funeral Home located on Seminole Blvd. as a family business. Roger always had a bit of history, a witty comment or an anecdote to share with his friends and family. He loved Neil Diamond and Chicago. He loved car racing, roller coasters, dolphins, and fireworks. He donated two benches on the beach - one in memory of his mom and dad. He loved life and gave from the heart. Roger was an avid golfer, loved boating, traveling, and snow skiing. He visited the gym several times a week to lift weights or swim. Every day he walked the beach. After he suffered his first stroke in 1997 he became even more determined and worked hard mentally and physically to recover. He did so and picked right up where he left off. It was an amazing accomplishment. He continued to work out at the gym and walk the beach. We believe he was coming from one such walk right before his eventually fatal stroke. Living life to the last minute, that was Roger!! Roger is survived by his son, Randall, and granddaughter Kirsten Lillianna of Seminole Florida, sisters Sue Lancaster of Austin, TX and Dorian (Al) Gentzler of Berwyn, PA, nephew Daniel Gentzler of Frederick, MD and niece Chelsea Gentzler of Berwyn, PA, and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his son Robert E. Reese of Orlando, FL, his mother Josephine (Reese) Fuller and father Richard C. Fuller both of Lockport NY and Redington Beach, FL. A memorial celebrating Roger's life will be held at The Church by the Sea, 495 137th Avenue circle, Madeira Beach Florida, 33708, on Saturday June 2nd at twelve noon. This will be followed by a reception at Buffalo City Bar & Grille, 5631 Park Street north, St Petersburg, Florida 33709. In lieu of cards or flowers, may we suggest a memorial gift to The Church by the Sea. (Church # 727-391-7706 Buffalo City # 727-549-9464) Roger - we love you and we will miss you. You touched many lives. A personal note from Randy: My father was my best friend. "I love you the most" were the last words I heard him speak. He was holding his granddaughter Kirsten, who bolted past me to give her Jadgi (grandpa in Polish) just one more kiss before he left our house. She was the light of his life. She truly made him smile and brought great joy to his life. God Bless you all for your unbelievable love and support in our time of loss. Please feel free to share a fond memory of Roger with his friends and family.