Roger A. Parker, age 78, of Clinton passed away Monday, July 18, 2016, in Guilford. He was a son of the late George and Helen (Wilderman) Parker. Roger was the beloved husband of Catherine H. Parker for 29 wonderful years.

Roger graduated from West Haven High School and the Eli Whitney Technical School with a degree in drafting. He worked as a draftsman for various architects in southern Connecticut before working as a draftsman and later Assistant Director of Engineering at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven. He retired from the position of Facilities Manager for the Guilford Board of Education. Roger served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve and was especially proud of the commendation he received for a search and rescue mission in May 1975.

Roger loved visiting lighthouses on the east coast. Very recently, he began taking water color lessons, painting lighthouses and seascapes. Roger was a member of First Church of Christ in Clinton, serving on several committees including Building & Grounds and the Diaconate. He was also a member of the Clinton Historical Society.

Roger is survived by his wife; daughters Heather (Michael) Ryan of Simsbury and Kimberly Kelly of East Granby; and five adored grandchildren: Rebecca, Kathryn, Christopher, Emily, and Nicholas; and his sister Claudia DeGutis of Aurora, Colorado. He was predeceased by a brother George Parker.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 23, 2016, at 11:00am at the First Church of Christ, 55 Church Road, Clinton. Military honors will be presented on the church lawn following the service, and a reception will follow in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First Church of Christ for the renovation and care of the Academy Building.