Roger L Hersey

Roger Leavitt Hersey, Jr. of Hingham died on March 24, 2022 after a lengthy illness. 

Roger was born in Hingham to the late Roger L. Hersey, Sr. and Hazel (Jermyn) Hersey. Known to his family as Leavitt, and to his friends as Roger, he took a great deal of pride in the Hersey family heritage in Hingham.  Roger was a graduate of Hingham High School in the class of 1961. He attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass, where he did undergraduate work in the Smith College Botanical Gardens. He graduated in 1964 with a degree in floriculture. Roger thoroughly enjoyed this work, and his varied interests always centered around the natural world. This interest allowed him various occupations and activities throughout his lifetime which included hunting, deep sea fishing, landscaping, and flying model airplanes. He was a past member of the Marshfield Rod and Gun Club. 

He was proud to have served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Harold J. Ellison during the Vietnam war, from 1965-1966. The destroyer spent a short time as the harbor defense ship in DaNang harbor. He served as the control room man on the destroyer. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Being a veteran had a very significant impact on him.

During his life, Roger had various other occupations including as a guard at the Bank of Boston, and in various roles at Boston Whaler, the Rockland Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Sager Electronics. He ended his career as the owner of his own landscaping company, which included keeping the Fort Hill Cemetery grounds in beautiful condition. Roger will be interred in Fort Hill Cemetery, a setting which he enjoyed.

In later years, because of his physical disability, Roger thoroughly enjoyed his computer and playing the games FarmVille and Country life with a few thousand of his “friends.” 

Roger is survived by his sisters Janet Hersey Andrews and Marilyn Hersey MacDonald, and by his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Galen H. Hersey, and his sister Deborah Hersey. He is also survived by his longtime companion Diana (Somes) Tipping and her children Kim, MaryEllen, Stephanie, and Frank. He was affectionately known to Diana’s children and grandchildren as “Dad” and “Grandpa.”  

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 22, from 4-7 PM, at the Downing Cottage Funeral Chapel in Hingham. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 11:00 AM at Fort Hill Cemetery in Hingham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger’s memory to the Hingham Food Pantry, 685 Main Street, Hingham MA 02043. 

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