Malta, N.Y. — Roger J. Wade passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 12, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on March 25, 1923, in Malden, he was the son of the late George and Elizabeth (Powell) Wade. Roger was married for 68 years to the love of his life, the late Dorothy M. Wade, who passed away 10 months ago. He grew up in Boston and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943. He served as a B-17 bomber pilot, flying 33 combat missions over Europe in 1944-1945. After the war he went to work for General Electric in Lynn and Fitchburg as a master machinist, rising quickly to management, and retiring in 1983. Roger loved traditional jazz and swing music and had played drums professionally before the war. He enjoyed playing his guitar and singing with his wife. He loved summer vacations with the whole family in the western mountains of Maine. He wintered in Florida and loved spending time with family.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his brother, Edward, and his two sisters, Gertrude Wade and Esther Fraser.
Survivors include his son, Roger J. (Jean) Wade Jr., of Natick, daughters, Susan E. Brennan of Gilford, N.H., Nancy Wade (John, MD) Leary, MD of Gansevoort, N.Y., Shirley Wade (John) McLoughlin, PhD of Keene, N.H., Dorothy M. (David) Brigham of Ballston Lake, N.Y., and Janet R. Mullins of Holland, Mass., 16 grandchildren, Robert and Kenneth Wade, Beth Brennan O’Donnell, Sarah Bousquet, Nora Brennan, Kathryn, Molly and Margaret McLoughlin, Benjamin, Carolyn and Elizabeth Brigham, Mark, John and Michael Symonds, Kyle and Micayla Mullins and 12 great-grandchildren.
Service information: Relatives and friends may call from 4-7 p.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 16, 2016, at St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Ave., by the Rev. George J. Blasick, C.Ss.R. Burial with military honors will follow at 12 noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. Donations may be made in Roger’s memory to the Salvation Army, 27 Woodlawn Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or the Home of the Good Shepherd, 26 Rockrose Way, Malta, NY 12020. Online remembrances may be made at Burkefuneralhome.com.