Rodger Stevens
1945 - 2025
Rodger E. Stevens, 79, of Tolland, CT, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Rodger will be deeply missed by his family, including his wife Laura (Forand) Stevens of Tolland, CT, and his two sons, Bill and Betsy Stevens of West Hartford, CT, and Phil and Kristen Stevens of Willington, CT, his cherished grandchildren: Asher, Ellarie, Adeline and Griffin, and his sole surviving sibling, Bruce Stevens.
Rodger was predeceased by his parents, Helen (Davis) and Earle F. Stevens, siblings Eric Stevens, Randy Stevens, Sue Wiknik, and Pat Barrett, and daughter, Sarah Stevens. Born in Danbury, CT, to the late Helen (Davis) and Earle F. Stevens, Rodger grew up in Cromwell along the Connecticut River, spending time trapping, fishing, and water skiing. He graduated from Cromwell High School in 1963 and went directly to basic training, where he became a Marine and served until 1966.
Rodger married his wife, Laura, in 1970 and raised their family in Tolland, CT. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in unique fashion during the COVID pandemic. Rodger and Laura were married for 54 years, and she would say he was an outstanding husband.
After a 39-year career with Connecticut Light and Power in various positions, including underground work, dispatcher, and trainer, Rodger retired in 2006. During retirement, Rodger enjoyed traveling, table tennis, camping, pickleball, attending Danny Harper concerts, cruises, putzing around their Tolland home, researching his ancestors (genealogy), and watching soccer games. Rodger looked forward to breakfast with high school classmates, family, and friends. He loved trips to various places in Maine, including Acadia.
Rodger’s greatest joy came from time spent with his family, whether it was a cookout in the backyard, at an auction, or helping with any house project. He will forever be remembered by his boys for his “famous toast” he would make on camping trips. A simple man by all accounts, Rodger was happiest surrounded by family and was famous for providing Bill and Phil fatherly words of wisdom.
Rodger’s family will receive friends and family for calling hours on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 5-7 PM at Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road, Vernon, CT 06066. A Celebration of Life Service will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 10:30 am. Burial with military honors will follow in East Cemetery (aka Skungamaug Cemetery), Tolland, CT 06084. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tunnels to Towers (T2T.org) or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS.org). To leave a condolence, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.
Rodger and Lauri's own images (from 2008)
Left to right are Asher, Bill, Karen, Ellarie, Rod, Lauri, Phil, Kristen and Adeline.
Kristen is three months pregnant with the 4th grandchild.
Lauri and Rod Stevens with their grandson Asher, 21 months, in 2006.
Asher's parents, Bill and Karen Stevens.