Roger Guy Hersey, 64, of Middlefield, Connecticut, left all his suffering and pain behind and entered into a peaceful heavenly slumber on May 12, 2013 at Middlesex Hospital after a brief stay in hospice. Roger battled for four years with Multiple Myeloma, a form of bone cancer.

Roger leaves behind his soul mate, lover, best friend, partner, and wife, Nancy (Greco) Hersey. He also leaves five children: Lori Hersey and her husband Tom of Berkeley, California; Matthew Hersey of Newington, Connecticut; Jodie Marino of Middlefield; Jeanine Marino and her partner Larry Sekol of Middlefield; and Amy Hersey Dow and her husband Brian of Middlefield; his four grandchildren: Kyle, Owen, Julia, and Aaron; and his sister, Sally Cassarino of California.

In June, he was expecting the arrival of his newest grandson by his daughter Amy. He also leaves his beloved cat, Chloey, who remained by his side throughout his illness. Roger was predeceased by his father, Samuel Hersey, and his mother, Dorothy (Hudson) Hersey.

Roger retired from the State of Connecticut as facilities manager in the judicial department after 19 years. At that time he followed his childhood passion for classic cars and trucks by founding Auto Body Specialties, Inc. together with his wife. They ran the business together for 30 years along with their son-in-law, Brian, for the last four years of his illness.

Roger’s greatest love in life was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He could always be found on the floor coloring, playing with Matchbox cars, making box houses, snow sledding, giving tractor rides, or anything else that was just fun that the children would like to do.

He was a caring and supportive husband and helped his wife fulfill her dream of opening a dog grooming, kennel, and daycare right up to the week that he was diagnosed with cancer. He enjoyed spending time at his family-owned cottage at Hawk’s Nest Beach in Old Lyme, Connecticut, as well as the family farmhouse on Route 11 in East Andover, New Hampshire. Roger also loved the Beach Boys and always had their music on in his truck, singing down the highways.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 18, at the Middlefield Federated Church on Main Street in Middlefield at 2 PM. Burial will immediately follow at the Middlefield Cemetery, with a reception after at Middlefield Federated Church. Friends and family are welcome.

Roger’s favorite color was blue. His family is requesting that everyone wear something blue in his honor, or if you own a classic car, to drive it that day. They know he would have loved that.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his memory to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk CT 06851.