Roger Alexander Soucey, Sr., 89, passed away Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, at Estelle’s House. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Barbara (Bergeron) Soucey, April 23rd, 2016.
He was born in Lawrence, Mass to Adelard and Alice (Plourde) Soucey. He served in the United States Navy on the USS Edisto, an ice breaker, in the North Atlantic during the Korean War. He was also an instructor at the Great Lakes Training Center. After the Navy he worked two jobs while raising 6 children to earn an Associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University. He worked for Polaroid Camera Company where he was on a team assisting Dr. Land in the development of the Polaroid Land Camera System.
He came to Florida in 1974 and made the Ocala National Forest his new home. He was licensed in the state of Florida as a Builder, Master Plumber and Master Electrician. He operated Roger Soucey and Son, a company that provided Building, Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC services in Marion County for 20 years. He bought the Big Pines Hardware Store and rebuilt it into the store that serves the Forest today. He aided in the building of the original East Marion Fire Station and the Electra Fire Station in Woods and Lakes.
In his retirement he and his wife traveled to all 50 states. He along with his wife and a fellow Navy sailor they made the Grande Loop Tour by boat, TWICE. He and his wife were among the founding members of St. Joseph of the Forest and his company assisted in its construction. They were Life Time Members of The Ocala Civic Theater and during the construction of the new theater he served as the owners’ representative to the construction company.
He is survived by a sister, Lillian Richards of Ocala, Son Dennis (Stephanie), Ocala, Daughter Joyce (David) Gallant, Brentwood, N.H., Son David (JoAnn), Son Roger Jr. (Lori), Daughter Gail (Harry) Garrett, and Daughter Barbara all of Silver Springs. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of the Springs Catholic Church, 4047 NE 21st St, Ocala, FL 34470, on January 23rd, 2021, at 11 am. Refreshments will be served in the church hall immediately after.
He will be interred at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Please make a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.