THUNDER BAY YACHT CLUB

Roger Bailey

1926 - 2009

            Mr. W. Roger Bailey aged 83 years, passed away on Friday, December 18, 2009 in St. Joseph’s Hospital. Rog was born on January 3, 1926 in Fort William.   After graduating from Fort William Collegiate Institute in 1944 Rog served a brief period in the Service until 1946, returning to Fort William where he has lived here ever since. Rog starting working in the real estate and insurance business with G. R. Duncan & Co., and in 1953 he moved to the O’Brien Agency. He continued with the firm the rest of his working life, retiring in 1996 after 43 years. In the latter part of his career Rog worked in the appraisal field and had an excellent grasp of the details and values in properties.  In 1969, he moved to the family camp at Amethyst Harbour, where he has lived ever since. He was married to Susan in 1983.

             Rog had a keen interest in everyone and in everything that went on around him.  He had a great many friends and always enjoyed meeting new people and would relate very quickly to people of all walks of life. He was a proud member of Lion’s Club, and the Royal Canadian Legion. He was involved with curling for many years during the winters and with sailing in the summer. Rog always enjoyed visiting with his many friends and acquaintances, including his coffee group in Fort William, and was great at relating stories, as well as keeping up with the latest news.

             Rog not only grew up in the summer at the family camp at Amethyst Harbour, he lived there for many years until the present time. He was attentive to everything that went on at Amethyst, and knew a great deal about the history of the area. He was a friend and neighbour to everyone there. Rog took great pride in his property on the point, and he and Sue spent countless hours maintaining and grooming the gardens and the entire point. Cedar Lodge, as it is known, is a special place to visit.

             Rog was a charter member of the Thunder Bay Yacht Club, and a former Commodore. He has had a lifelong interest in boating. Rog and Susan traveled down the north shore of Lake Superior for many years, from the tip of Thunder Cape to St. Ignace Island and the many points in between, such as Loon Harbour, Black’s dock, Otter Cove and Rossport. They were particularly fond of visiting Swede Island where Rog helped build and maintain a harbour refuge for area fishermen, along with an excellent sauna. Rog enjoyed being out on the lake, being out in an unspoiled area, and being closer to nature. He enjoyed interacting with the few people who lived along the lake shore and the fellow boaters who cruised along the north shore.  In earlier years you would find him moose hunting down the shore in the fall.  His first boat was Bambi, which was followed later by Mary Dee and then High Hopes.

 Rog is survived his wife Susan, by his two children, Lynn (Ross) and Allan (Devona). He is also survived by grandchildren Katie, Erin and Ashley, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Rog was the youngest of the four sons of Porter and Nell Bailey of Fort William. Rog was predeceased by his brothers Porter (1993), Len (1983) and Van (1998), as well as his parents W. Porter Bailey (1961) and Nell Bailey (1960).

 A funeral service will be held for Rog Bailey on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 1:00 PM at Sargent’s Funeral Home, 21 North Court Street, Thunder Bay, with the Deacon Charles Johnson officiating. Interment will be at a later date. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.