Roger Frederick Somerville (15 Nov 1944 - 21 Dec 2025)

This page is to celebrate the life of Roger Somerville (pictured above on his 81st birthday Nov25), much loved husband, Dad, Grandpops (Popsie & Pop pops), brother, family and friend to many of you.

Roger's Bermondsey upbringing developed his sense of community, public service, and connecting with others. Roger lived with his parents, Fred and Flo and his sister, Dawn and was always "proud to be an Englishman", but particularly a Londoner.

Athletics, sport in general and the Boys Brigade, were a large part of Rogers life, providing values and skills he used in all his years. Roger and Margaret were married in 1965, celebrating their 60yr Diamond wedding anniversary in September 2025. In addition to his 3 children, 6 grandchildren, Jasper dog (who he is now reunited with), Rogers other 2 main loves were Charlton Athletic Football Club and the Metropolitan Police Service. His final role in active service was Detective Inspector, before moving into civilian roles.

Following a reluctant retirement, he continued to volunteer as a driver for the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) and at Demelza charity shop in Petts Wood (supporting Children's Hospices). He continued to use his detective skills finding valuable donations and enjoy the camaraderie with all he met. As an avid reader, learning and being informed was always important to Roger, as well as having fun - we're sure you all have many fun memories with him!

As a family we adopted Rogers detective skills as his health became more challenged. He knew in his words, he was "in trouble".....
Roger had an unplanned quintuple heart bypass in July 2022, from which he never fully recovered. This may have been when he lost touch with many of you. After almost a year of medical input, research, tests and many months in specialists wards, Roger was diagnosed with Encephalitis, a rare degenerative brain disease, from which he sadly never recovered.
Rogers resilience and fortitude throughout the last 3.5years of his life was incredible, and he did his best. Until the end there was a twinkle in his eye and smiles for those supporting him. On 21st December Roger sadly passed away, with family by his side (and match of the day on TV!).

In his last wishes, Roger requested that if you're attending his funeral service, you wear your "own favourite club or team colours - shirts, jerseys, tops, scarves or ties"!

Flowers will be from immediate family only please. Roger requested donations to support charities important to him on his passing including;

Metropolitan Police Widows & Orphan Charity (now) https://met-cityorphans.org.uk/
British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/donate
Demelza https://www.demelza.org.uk/donate/
As a family, we've added Encephalitis International https://www.encephalitis.info/donate/

Roger won't have known he was going to succumb to such a rare and cruel condition. Support for research, education, awareness, prevention and treatment is critical. On behalf of Roger / Dad, we're passionate about supporting this. Donation links on the charity page only allow for 3 to be listed. Please copy & paste the domain above if you would like to support the 4th charity.

Please find the details for Rogers send off on this site and RSVP to let us know if you're able to attend the service or light refreshment afterwards at The Bulls Head. If you can't attend, and wish to have a link for online virtual attendance, then please message us your email address and leave your words on here.

We look forward to hearing your memories and stories of Roger (that are repeatable & not breaking any code!). Feel free to add them here, along with any photos you would like to share or get in touch with his family directly.
We'll always remember him with love and pride, and hope you do too. Some last words of wisdom from our special man, "Keep looking forward, looking back never gets you anywhere...."

Rest in Peace Roger / Dad....
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