CURRENT CELEBRATIONS

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Dennis enjoyed searching for historical documents and artifacts pertaining to these towns and their people.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