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Dennis P Rogers
1953-2024
By Bob Lowden and Theresa Lowden Edited by Noreen Toner Stefano
Dennis P. Rogers, 70, President of the Riverfront Historical Society in Beverly, and writer for The Beverly Bee, died suddenly on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
A week before his death, Dennis received much praise for his work as curator of an exhibit of over 100 objects from Edgewater Park’s 100-year-old history, which was open to the public as part of the Township’s Centennial Celebration on June 8, 2024.
Born in Beverly, Dennis was a life-long member of Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church (now Jesus, Church of the Good Shepherd), where he served as an altar boy. He also played baseball in the BevelEdge Little League and helped his father with teams he coached and with field maintenance.
Although his parents moved the family from Beverly to Edgewater Park when Dennis was a teen, he stayed a “Beverly boy,” as he proudly referred to himself. Dennis literally moved to the other side of the tracks but stayed close to his Beverly friends for the rest of his life.
A graduate of Beverly City School and Holy Cross High School, Dennis studied at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). Although he never received a formal degree, he was “bit by the history bug” after researching an ancestor who was in the Civil War.
More than 25 years ago, Dennis revitalized the Riverfront Historical Society (RHS), along with Carol Donahue and Betty Sever while sitting on the front step of Coopertown Meeting House, serving as president from 2000 to the present. Under his leadership, he negotiated the move from the Coopertown Meeting House in Edgewater Park to the Beverly Free Library Annex, on Cooper Street, in Beverly. The annex was then transformed into a local history museum for Beverly, Edgewater Park, and Delanco residents.
Dennis enjoyed searching for historical documents and artifacts pertaining to these towns and their people. He frequented the Columbus Farmers Market and local yard sales, always looking for a bargain or a great find for himself or the museum. The Italian Market in South Philly was his go-to place for all his Italian goods, especially some great sausage. Dennis also had no problem trash picking items of historical value from the curb. His biggest lament was that people would throw out their artifacts and photos instead of donating their history to the RHS. He was fond of saying “Your trash is our treasure”, or “We collect what your kids don’t want. Donate it.”
Due to his respect for history and historians, Dennis did not call himself a historian. Rather, he considered himself a student of history, and was interested in learning something new. Dennis was also willing to stand corrected on historical facts as he valued historical accuracy. He avoided working with anyone who would bend history to suit themselves.
Dennis was very proud of the work he and the RHS members did to promote local history. He loved to show the museum to everyone and anyone. His leadership allowed the RHS to sponsor many programs and fundraisers, resulting in the museum becoming a learning center for the communities of Beverly, Delanco, and Edgewater Park.
Dennis also made numerous friends and connections with historical societies around the county. He received many awards for his work and contributions to local history. He and the RHS were the recipients of the Burlington County History Award twice – once as a historical society, and once for Dennis, as an individual.
Before his retirement, Dennis worked many jobs including Ocean Spray, United Stationary, and others, before retiring and spending more time with his passion for local history. He was also a long-time columnist for The Beverly Bee, writing “Fond Farewells” and RHS columns along with other stories about people and places in the local area. Dennis loved day trips to the beach for fishing, concerts at the Red Dragon Canoe Club, and hanging out at the RHS. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as an usher at Mass until his death. He was also a brain aneurysm survivor and worked to promote awareness of brain aneurysms.
Dennis was the son of the late Earl and Anna (Blanzola) Rogers. He is survived by his fiancé, Kathleen Edwards of Riverside, aunts, Doris Mourey and Charlotte Rogers, both of Beverly and cousins on both the Rogers and Blanzola sides of the family. He also leaves behind many childhood friends, along with his RHS friends and colleagues, and his many friends in the community.
Come celebrate 70 great years Thursday June 27, 2024 8-10 a.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, 478 Cooper Street, Beverly. Mass of Chirstian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, St. Joseph Church, 805 Warren Street, Beverly. Interment St. Peter Cemetery, Riverside. Contributions in lieu of flowers to Riverfront Historical Society, 433 Cooper Street, Beverly 08010 or to Jesus the Good Shepherd Church Mass Cards will be appreciated.
His family, friends, and community have lost a genuinely good guy, one who dedicated his life to preserving our local history. He will be sorely missed.
REST IN PEACE, DENNIS
20 Comments
good by de a r friend I will miss that cup of tea together.RIP
Dennis and his family are an extended part of our family. I got to know him very well when I started working at Cooper Valley Village. There is not a person from Beverly that Dennis didn’t know 😂. I so enjoyed talking with him and learning things about Beverly from before my time. he will be deeply missed by all that knew him. my deepest, sincerest sympathies to his loved ones. RIP Den. 💙🙏💙
Im so sorry to hear about dennis im a beverly girl knew his family really well he was a great man my condolences to his family
Dennis was such a really nice person. We were Facebook friends and often enjoyed sharing our thoughts on many topics. I’m not sure when I spoke to him last in person, but he was always an attentive listener.
Beverly/Edgewater Park have lost a true friend.
A rare and very special person. Always with a smile and an open heart. Dennis has an enclopedic knowledge of local and national history. He is one of a kind, generous and always working hard on the Riverfront Historical Society and all local historical events/location.
I’m grateful and honored to be his friend. His passing will leave a huge hole in the world yet I’m certain he is in heaven listening to the Beatles and keeping an eye on all things in Beverly. Dennis will be very missed and will be fondly remembered by many forever.
Dennis was a friend to so many. He worked tirelessly over the last year and a half to help Edgewater Park residents learn about their history. And he succeeded, big time, drawing attention to the important origins of the local area and inspiring us to learn more. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family and friends, as well as his RHS family.
my heart and prayers go out to the entire family for peace and healing.
Dennis we worked together 20 years and had a lot of laughs. Always making work fun. We took in some great shows and enjoyed so much of the same great music. You will be missed by your family and friends
So sad to hear of Dennis’s passing. Super nice guy. Always happy to see you, with a smile on his face, and a story to tell. My deep felt sympathy to all who knew him, befriended him, and loved him. My deepest sympathy to Kathleen who was the love of his life.
“And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.” ~Lennon &McCartney
Reading how deeply Dennis was loved and how deeply he will be missed, is a reflection of how much he gave to those whom he cherished. He will rest in an abundance of the love he takes with him. No doubt the angels, and all who have gone before, have welcomed him into the perfect love of God in heaven.
Dennis’s greatest gift to me as a cousin who I saw infrequently, was that even though our times together were not that often, he was there and it mattered that he was there. He was fully present and gave the very best of himself to others. May God bless and heal the hearts of all who loved, and will continue to love and miss him.
Dennis always had a smile whenever you soon him. He will be greatly missed
Dennis was a great friend. We knew each other through the Knights of Columbus, the Historical Society, and church. He and I communicated often, usually about politics and goings on in the community. Like everyone else, I, too, was shocked to hear of his passing. He was truly one of the great guys I encountered over the years. He had a tremendous impact on everyone who knew him. I was proud to call him my friend.
So sorry about Dennis. He was so fun to talk to. When he was a kid, he was a “butterfly boy” at my mother in laws house on Perkins Lane. He would always talk about that when we talked to him. our deepest sympathy,,,Kathy (marmino) and John Landis
Dennis I will miss you so much! What a wonderful, faith filled person and long time friend you were. Dennis and I grew up together in Beverly. His wonderful, sweet Mom and my Mom were very good friends. We would go over to their house on Manor Rd, and have lunch together. I have lifetime memories with Dennis and his family. Dennis and I always kept in touch and were interested in the Beverly Bee articles together. He’d come by sometimes and we would talk up a storm! My husband Joe loved him too! A kind person and I am going to miss you so much! Gone too soon and heaven has welcomed an Angel with a kind, generous , pure soul. Thank you for so many years of friendship. You are so very missed already. Too Kathleen and Karen and her family, our family is so sorry for your loss. So many hearts are broken.
Beautiful tribute!
To Kathleen, Amy and all who knew Dennis,
Dennis was the cousin who visited the Gloucester County relatives faithfully.
He was especially close to my niece Janice, his cousin. We spent an evening together in January talking
about Do Wop music and the Beatles. I was just in his company in May, sitting pool side with Kathleen
at Janice’s house. I know he is sitting with his parents, grandparents and the Lord!
Rest in Peace Sweet Prince.
So sorry to hear of Dennis’s passing. I am a cousin from my mother’s side(Hood/Rogers) and enjoyed keeping in touch with him through Facebook. He was a wonderful guy and he will be greatly missed. My condolences to all, and especially to Kathleen who was the love of his life.
Dennis always found only the good in people never the bad. He did a lot to help the American Legion in Beverly. He will be missed.
Farewell to my friend Dennis.
I’ll miss seeing him every Sunday at the market and Saturdays at the museum.
what a grat guy. ha always talked about being a butterfly boy at my mother in laws on Perkins Lane. he was always fun to talk to.