TOPSHAM — John Clark “Jake” Rogers, 93, died Jan. 7 at the Governor King Wing of The Highlands in Topsham.
Born July 6, 1918 in Newton, Mass., he was the only child of John J. and Genevieve Clark Rogers. His mother died in the influenza pandemic in 1919 and he spent his early childhood in the care of his grandparents, Henry M. and Mary Collins Clark of Springfield, Mass., and his father of New York City.
At the age of 12, he moved to Baltimore, Md., where he lived with his aunt and uncle, Dr. and Mrs. Emil Novak, and their children.
He graduated from the Gilman School in Baltimore in 1936 and later from Princeton University in 1940. He majored in psychology and was a member of the Cap and Gown Club.
After college, Rogers enlisted in the U.S. Navy and after hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor, he transferred to Naval Aviation and served as a flight instructor throughout the war. He continued his service in the U.S. Navy Reserve and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.
On July 9, 1948 he married Anne Cleland Read of Baltimore, and in 1950 they moved to Longmeadow, Mass., where they raised their daughters. He joined Henry M. Clark Co., the real estate and insurance firm that his grandfather started in Springfield, Mass., and made the business his career.
Family and friends, music, sailing, skiing, tennis and running were foremost in his life. He was the founder of the Field Club of Longmeadow, Mass., and served on the board of the Wesson Memorial Hospital in Springfield. He was also active on Princeton’s Schools and Scholarships Committee for many years.
Rogers is survived by his wife of 63 years; daughters Amy R. Rogers and Anne C. R. Leslie and her husband Seaver Leslie; three granddaughters Genevieve, Marion and Frances Leslie all of Wiscassett.
A musical memorial will be held on Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. at the Holden Frost House in Topsham. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Gilman School, 5407 Roland Ave., Baltimore, Md., 21210 or to the giver’s charity of choice.
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