Roger McDonald (20 Aug 1943 - 30 Dec 2020)

It is so hard to put into words what Roger meant to so many of us. He was such a kind and gentle soul.
But to me, he was the man who would dance me around the living room on his feet.
He was the man who would always fall asleep on the armchair.
He was the man with the bird poo coloured car.
He was the man who would sit with me and my brother Sam, and teach us about whatever it was that we were interested in at the time.
He was the man who loved chocolate more than most.
He was the man with the patience of a saint, which served him well with the Clarke family.
And he was the man who would sit and tell me so many wonderful stories about his travels in life.

My thoughts and love are always with my Nan, and the rest of the family, for Roger was loved by so many.

This is what I was trying to say at Roger's funeral but couldn't quite make it to the end...

After my parents split, Roger was suddenly on the scene in his bright yellow Ford Escort. I was about 10 or 11 and hated change (I still do) and I’m not that good at accepting new people into my life but with Roger it just seemed natural.

Pretty quickly Roger was part of the family whether he wanted to or not. He didn’t in any way push himself as a father figure or a positive role model in my life and that is exactly why he quickly became both.

Mum & Roger were the perfect partnership and you could see the love between them never dimmed. They were so happy together, especially in retirement and I never knew which country they were in at any one time. To see them you had to pre-book in advance. I was so happy for them.

I never said I love you to Roger – he was very much a hand shake is as good as a hug type of guy – but I know he knew. I have never believed that blood is thicker than water and Roger is a prime example. He was my father figure and the grandfather to my three boys, Luca, Zack and Hugh and of course the same for Lisa and Amy, Laura and Sam.

My boys will always remember Roger as the Robot that chased them around the house to screams of excitement and laughter. I know Sarah is grateful that Roger welcomed her into the family and between you and me I think they shared a wry view of us Clarkes.

His illness was cruel and the early signs quickly became a downward slope. Mum did a herculean job of caring for Roger and it was no surprise that he had to go into a care home. It was a good home and we are all grateful to the staff for their hard work.

The last time I saw Roger was through the care home window on 1st December. I waved and he recognised me and smiled. It broke my heart. I prefer my memories of him smiling and talking with Mum around the dinner table, our football chats and every now and then making him lose it with laughter.

Roger was a gentle soul and leaves a huge hole in our lives. Words seem inadequate and cannot do him justice. Stop all the clocks indeed.

He was my grandfather, while not my biological grandfather he was a better one than my biological grandfather ever could have been

I worked with Roger at Billericay Medical Practice.He was a kind and considerate gentleman,always supportive and I valued him as the practice manage, and as a kind friend .His last illness has been so hard and my heart goes out to Barbara who cared for him so lovingly.I send my love to Barbara and the family,and RIP Roger

We have so many fond memories of the times we spent with Roger and Barbara, particularly when we were growing up. We will always remember him as the kind, happy, generous and healthy man he was. Sending all our love to Barbara, and to our Grandad (Alan) who will miss his brother terribly xxx

We have so many fond memories of the times we spent with Roger and Barbara, particularly when we were growing up. We will always remember him as the kind, happy, generous and healthy man he was. Sending all our love to Barbara, and to our Grandad (Alan) who will miss his brother terribly xxx

I was so very sad to hear of Roger’s passing.
Roger was the first person I met when I moved from Leeds to Billericay in 2002 to work at the Health Centre. He was so kind and welcoming and had a great sense of humour. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him, he made everything seem better and was always a true Gentleman.
God bless you Roger
Sending much love to his family xx

In loving memory of Roger

We are so grateful to Roger for changing my sister's life. He was a special person kind, considerate, the best of company aided by a special sense of humour.
We both shared a love of football, playing for teams in the Ilford and Romford area about the same time. He was taken from us fare to soon. Rest in peace Roger.
Les and Jill

In memory of dear Roger McDonald. A true gentleman. Rest in Peace.

So sorry to hear of Roger's death. So kind but also a hard working and loyal colleague at Billericay Health Centre. My sympathy to all his loved ones

We both have fond memories of working with Roger at different times, at TSB Basildon in the 1970s, He was a good Manager, and always kind and polite to all those he worked with. A real gentleman.
Our thoughts are with Barbara and his family

I also worked with Roger at The Health Centre and he was also coincidentally known and well liked by my father who also was a branch manager at TSB many years ago. We had many a chuckle over the years and he was a lovely man to work with. Warmest wishes to Barbara and his family. Rest peacefully Roger.

I worked with Roger at the Health Centre and shared an office with him for several years. We had lots of chats about his holidays and family, and he was such a kind and understanding man with a great sense of humour. Sending thoughts and condolences to Barbara and all the family.

Roger always kind ,& such a gentleman. RIP

I am Roger's older brother and I am so sad to be writing this obituary rather than the other way round. Roger was born in the middle of the war when I was 10 years old and the big difference in age meant that it wasn't until we were much older that we really got to know each other and became the brothers and close friends that we were until these last few days.

Roger was no academic at school -much preferring to play football and cricket - and he left school at 16 to start work as a desk clerk for the Trustee Savings Bank in Romford. His ability then shone through and by age 28 he was the youngest manager for the TSB, managing the Maldon branch. Bigger branches followed including Billericay which became his home for the rest of his life. Later in life other management jobs followed in the National Blood service and finally as Practice Manager in a Medical Centre in Billericay.

I was in the RAF for many years and Roger and I kept in touch by regular phone calls and with frequent visits to Eileen and I on various RAF stations around the country. After a while these visits were with Barbara and we had many happy times together. The culmination of these visits was when they came out several times to visit us in Italy where we lived for 3 years near Naples. At the end of our time there Roger and Barbara drove one our cars the 1500 miles home to save Eileen and I doing the journey in convoy.

Sadly, in later years Roger's mental health declined all too quickly and Barbara had had the difficult and unenviable task of caring for him during this bad time. She really did care for him way and above the bounds of duty and we cannot ever thank her enough for her love and devotion. Barbara has lost her soul-mate and partner of many years and we know how hard this has been for her.

Roger was a gentle, happy soul and a great friend as well as a brother - Eileen and miss him very much - RIP Rog, we loved you dearly.

Eileen and Alan

With loving memories of a very special brother

Remembering a dear and much loved brother.

Remembering Roger; good footballer, good taste in music, loved his life with Barbara. Good uncle and a good man x love from Dean and Julie x

I have no words

Remembering our uncle and happy times with much love and fondness, Louise, Martin, Hayley, Katie and families xx