WESTERLO — Joseph E. Rogers Jr., a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who had worked as an operating engineer, died on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. He was 83.

He was born in Albany on May 22, 1939, a son of the late Joseph E. Rogers Sr. and Dorothy Freeman Rogers. He lived in Colonie and Westchester County before moving to Westerlo.

He was employed as an operating engineer by Mead Enterprises in Waterford for many years, retiring 20 years ago. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dhyan E. Haverly Rogers; two children, Lorraine Ritota and her husband, Nick, and Allen J. Rogers; by his five grandchildren, Joseph (Gabby), Adam, Kyle, Dhyana, and Isabella; and by his seven great-grandchildren, Christopher, Edward, Charlotte, Leah, Jaxon, Arabella, and Jordan.

He is also survived by one sister, Catherine “Patsy” Chikkappa and by several nieces and nephews.

His parents, Joseph E. Rogers Sr. and Dorothy Freeman Rogers, died before him, as did his daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Sarchioto; his granddaughter, Colleen; and his brothers, Paul and David Rogers.

After a private cremation, calling hours will be on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home at 4898 State Route 81 in Greenville, followed by a memorial service at 1 p.m. 

The family will hold a celebration of his life in the spring.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.