CENTER BARNSTEAD- Roger W. Roberge, 63, of Center Barnstead passed away with loving family by his side on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack. He was born on July 29, 1959 in Manchester, NH, the son of Lorraine (Heroux) and the late Roger L. Roberge. Roger was raised and educated in Manchester where he attended Memorial High School. He spent much of his youth outdoors and was a natural-born athlete, playing a variety of sports but especially loved the game of basketball at which he excelled. In high school, he was actively involved in the Manchester CYO league as both a player and a coach. In his early 20s, Roger enlisted in the Marine Corps where he earned a Rifle Marksman Badge. Although he only served for a short time before sustaining a serious knee injury, he loved the experience of being a Marine and would recount stories fondly and with great pride. Roger was employed at GE Aviation in Hooksett, NH where he made many lifelong friends. He was a self-motivated and industrious person, and was well-respected in his role as lead hand/facilitator. He played on the company softball team for a time and also enjoyed participating in the many golf scrambles over the years, particularly as a way to reconnect with friends who had already retired in recent years. Roger himself retired from GE in 2019 after dedicating 34 years to the company. Anyone who knew Roger knew he was a passionate man who gave freely and completely of himself in every endeavor. He was a strong person, in body, mind and spirit, brave and adventurous. He was never afraid to try new things, to make mistakes, to look foolish; he would just laugh at himself and try again. Roger was a self-taught musician, a talented vocalist and performer. He wrote many original songs on the acoustic guitar and was the lead vocalist in several local cover bands for more than three decades. He found it especially rewarding when they were asked to entertain at a local nursing home and delighted in seeing the residents singing and moving to the rhythm, happy whenever he was able to bring joy to others through music. Roger truly loved being out in nature. Even as young child, he appreciated the beauty found in the natural world. On Sunday drives with his family, he would look out the window and comment to his parents, "Isn't that beautiful? Look how pretty that is!" Pursuing his desire to live closer to nature, he moved from Manchester in 1986 after purchasing a home in rural Center Barnstead where he lived out the remainder of his days in his very own "cabin in the woods." His love of being out in nature was reflected in many of the activities he enjoyed. He loved camping and snowmobiling with his family and friends, hiked several of the Presidentials in the White Mountains, and enjoyed golfing at least a few times each year. He also took great pleasure in bringing his kids fishing when they were young, and later kayaking local lakes and rivers with his wife. He believed in supporting conservation projects and hoped to leave the world a place where his children and grandchildren could also appreciate the beauty that he found in nature throughout his lifetime. Roger shared his love of basketball with both his son Shane and daughter Rachel, doing his best to attend every one of their games, always vocal on the sidelines in cheering them on and encouraging them to do their best. Roger was a great dad and very proud of his children, not only for their accomplishments but much more so for the wonderful people they grew up to become. He truly loved being a grandpa to Shane's son Isaiah, and he was so looking forward to meeting his daughter Rachel's baby boy expected in January. We will share many stories of Papa with them so they will know what a special person he was and how much he loved them and all of us. Roger and his wife Cheryl were completely devoted to one another and recently celebrated 30 years of marriage. Roger was a thoughtful, loving, and considerate husband. As his friends can attest, he would be the first to leave golf tournaments or weekend snowmobile or golfing trips in order to get home to his wife. The couple seldom spent much time apart, just happy in each other's company, often simply staying home, playing card games and watching shows together, taking the dogs for walks, or sitting on the swing in the backyard listening to the birds singing. They did enjoy exploring Boston together over the years as they were both interested in local history and the performing arts. As animal lovers, Roger and Cheryl adopted and rescued numerous dogs and cats in their 30 years together. Roger took great comfort in having his beloved pets constantly by his side during the periods of poor health he experienced since his diagnosis of lung cancer in December of 2018. Roger and his brothers, Dave and Dan, shared a love of sports, especially football, and they spent many Sundays gathered together at their mom's house to watch the Patriots play. Roger was very grateful to have spent more time with his brothers after retiring, and to have developed a closer relationship with his mother. Roger's joyful enthusiasm for life was truly a gift and he will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him. Roger is survived by his wife Cheryl (Fauteux) Roberge; daughter Rachel Roberge and son Shane Roberge; mother Lorraine (Heroux) Roberge; brothers David Roberge, and Daniel Roberge and wife Mary; grandson Isaiah Roberge, and grandson on the way Rhys Kanash; parents-in-law Jean-Guy and Pauline Fauteux, and brother-in-law Michael Fauteux and wife Rachel; three nieces, a nephew, and many extended family members. A Celebration of Life will take place at Roan Family Funeral Home, 167 Main St., Pembroke, NH on Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 1 pm to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Roger to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or to any local animal shelter.