Obituary of John James Rogers

John James Rogers, 84, of Mountain Lakes, passed away peacefully after a long illness on August 4, 2022.  

Born and raised in Newark, John was the only child of immigrants from Ireland and Northern Ireland, John Rogers (formerly McCrory) and Mary Rogers (nee Treacy), who instilled in him a strong work ethic and a streak of creative, independent thinking. John graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School before attending Seton Hall University, where he met the love of his life, Susan Marie Christiano at a college mixer. They married on August 8, 1964, and began their lives together in Lake Hiawatha, subsequently moving to Succasunna, before settling in Mountain Lakes in 1972.

John pursued a career in real estate, apprenticing at J.I. Kislak Realty in Newark, before founding his real estate brokerage, J. Rogers, Inc., and its building arm, Home Society Corp., in 1968. With offices in Denville, Morristown, Ledgewood, Newfoundland, and Bloomfield, John took pride in furnishing homes to first-time owners and to veterans. John built homes in Lake Hopatcong and surrounding areas; and renovated existing homes throughout Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties. Later, John focused on the sale of FHA/VA financed housing throughout Northern and Central New Jersey.

Despite his business success, John’s best work was as a husband, father, and grandfather. A born storyteller, he loved to tell jokes and enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking. He loved a wide variety of music, and was a loyal fan of Elvis and the radio station WFMU, in Jersey City. His affinity for WFMU culminated with John guest-hosting for one of his favorite radio programs. He enjoyed international travel, as well as the beaches of the Jersey Shore, Cape Cod, Delaware, North Carolina, and Florida.

He leaves joyful and sweet memories to his beloved wife of 58 years, Susan; his loving children, Oliver, Nancy Bainbridge (husband Christopher), and Eli; his cherished grandchildren, Andrew Hart, Curtis Hart and Jack Bainbridge; his sisters-in-law Gonda Cutler, Carol Ferrara, Judy Shandler and her husband, Donald; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends; and his loyal cat, Livingston.

Visitation will be held on Monday, Aug. 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 10 North Pocono Rd., Mountain Lakes. If you are unable to attend Mass, you can watch it live by way of https://stcatherine-ml.org/. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joseph’s Indian School, by way of www.inmemof.org.