Roger James Williams

March 1, 2020

Roger James Williams, 87, of West Hartford, died peacefully Sunday, March 1 at Lawrence General Hospital in Lawrence, MA. Born on Feb. 27, 1933 he was the son of Patrick J. Williams and Bridget (Grennan) Williams and was the youngest of 4 children. Roger was born and lived in West Hartford, and was a lifelong resident there except for his time at St. Anselm College and 2 years in the Army. He worked for decades for the State of Connecticut spending the majority of his time with the Office of the Chief States Attorney, retiring 1995. Roger was a very gregarious and generous person. He always had a joke at the ready and enjoyed making people feel at ease, laugh and easily brightened everyone’s day. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. As an avid sports fan he could name the last 20 teams to have won the World Series or know where every college in the country was due to their sports programs. He spent more than 30 years umpiring for the West Hartford little league. His love for baseball finally paid off when the Red Sox beat the Yankees to break the curse and then go on to win the World Series in 2004. He was also an avid Hartford Whaler fan and took his children to numerous games which created lasting memories for all of us. For many years he played with his teammates at T-Bowl Duckpin Lanes in Newington. He also spent much of his time helping out at the Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Hartford. Roger was a Lector for many decades and was beloved by the people who knew him everywhere. Roger was always generous with his time and would do what he could for those in need. Roger was predeceased by his loving wife Hedwig S. Williams, brothers Tom and John Williams as well as his Son in Law, Wayne H. Cochrane. He is survived by his son Kevin and wife Jennifer of Middletown, VA, along with three grandchildren Mac, Harrison, and Ava all of whom he loved dearly; His daughter Kathryn (Williams) Cochrane of Haverhill, MA; his son Michael Williams of Haverhill, MA.; and his older sister Margie Stewart of Glastonbury. He leaves behind a nephew, many nieces, and a plethora of cousins & friends. Calling hours are Sunday the 8th from 1:00-3:00 pm at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT. The Funeral Mass will be Monday March 9th at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 79 New Park Ave., Hartford. Burial will follow in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. In life of flowers kindly consider making a donation to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.