Obituary of Thomas MacIntosh Rodger
After a long life, well lived, Thomas (also known as Tim, or Mac) Rodger shuffled off this mortal coil on Tuesday, February 9, 2021.
He leaves behind five children, Thomas (Susan), Kevin (Teresa), James, Catherine (Colin), and Ellen (Jim), as well as grandchildren, Jessie, Marguerite (Dave), Anne Marie (Liam), Patrick, and Sean, and great grandchild Cameron Thomas May.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary (2019), and great granddaughter Alexandra Elizabeth May (2018). He also outlived his sisters Mary (Williams), and Norma Jean, brother Alex, parents Nora Flora (MacIntosh) Rodger, Thomas Kitchen Rodger, stepmother Dorothy,and many in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He is survived by cousin Emerson MacGillivray and several nieces and nephews.
Thomas grew up in the bosom of his mother’s extended family in Dalkeith, Ontario, where he learned to milk cows, manage manure, and swear in Gaelic. At 18, with a war on, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained and served in Canada and England. After WWII ended, he was fortunate enough to attend the University of Toronto, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Never one to waste money, at his death, he still had his textbooks. After university, Thomas headed out west to work in the oil industry in Saskatchewan and Alberta, where he met and married Mary.
A founder of the Ontario Petroleum Institute (OPI), Thomas counted being a well logger in almost every province (“except the islands”) as one of his professional achievements. He owned Great Guns Well Logging, and GeoCam, and worked with many whom he called friends.
While he greatly enjoyed a good story and a good dram, Thomas wasn’t much for sentiment but would be pleased if those who have outlived him raise a glass in his honour. Due to COVID-19, a Private Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 at 1pm. The service will be livestreamed at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.
Feel free to make a donation in Thomas’ memory to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com.
McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham (519-351-2040)
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