SPRUCE HEAD — Roger Francis Yattaw Sr. passed away on the anniversary of his birth, surrounded by loved ones at the Sussman House.  

Born in Rockport in the early morning hours of October 13, 1943, he was the son of Lewis and Jessie Pierce Yattaw. Roger was one of five children the couple had, in addition to numerous half-siblings from his mother’s first marriage.  

Roger later warmly recalled his childhood in South Hope. He enjoyed riding bikes, skating, and was an active member of the Boy Scouts and 4H Club. He fondly recalled Easter egg hunts, in which nearly every child in the village participated, and hanging May baskets for the entire month. In 1953, his home became a neighborhood social hub when his father purchased their first television, an event Lewis was so excited about that he posted the purchase in the local paper. With his family, he often went to the local drive-in theatre, where Roger recalled enjoying many westerns. He attended a one room schoolhouse in South Hope and later received his GED.  

Roger moved to Spruce Head in 1958. As a young man, at a dance at Hunt’s Grange, friend Maynard Ames bet Roger he couldn’t get a dance with an attractive attendee they spotted across the room. Roger took up that bet, and the resulting dance lasted 61 years. Roger married Donna Mae Dennison in 1965, and a family soon followed. The pair welcomed their son Roger Jr. in 1966, daughter Lisa in 1969, and a second daughter Janice in 1972. The family often enjoyed camping adventures, especially at Beaver Lodge and Sennebec Lake Campground. He took special pleasure in ice skating with his children, nieces and nephews in Rockland.  

Roger was a hard worker, starting as a paperboy. He had several jobs including raking blueberries in the fields of Hope. He would later use the money he saved raking blueberries to purchase land and begin building his first home. He was also a driver for local lobster companies, a carpenter, and as a mechanic. He proudly served 33 years on the South Thomaston Fire Department. In 1971, a workplace injury left his mobility permanently limited. Through persistent therapy, Roger re-learned to walk, surprising doctors at the scope and pace of his progress. He was a jack of all trades with certifications in many areas. 

In November 1970, Roger was a charter member of the South Thomaston Ambulance Service, later going on to serve as its director. Roger declined to share many memories of his public service but served as a vital presence for many years in times of crisis. In his final years, he described his 23 years with the Ambulance Service as his favorite job.  

With his wife and children Roger cleared land and established a new home on what was later called Yattaw Road in Spruce Head, a place many of his family still reside. He also followed a family tradition of maintaining a garden. On the family road in Spruce Head, he spent many seasons growing vegetables, often wearing a straw hat. Roger loved seafood, with his favorite meal being a captain’s platter. He was a competitive archer and frequently practiced in his yard. He became highly interested in genealogy and often traveled around New England to find records and visit relatives. He produced several family histories as result of his research. He took great pleasure in teasing his friends and family, often playing practical jokes on others. 

 In his final years, Roger faced a prolonged period of declining health with grace and perseverance. His death was preceded by a final birthday party, held jointly with his great-grandson Henry. His family sent him to heaven with great love. Already, he is sorely missed. 

Predeceased by his parents, Lewis and Jessie; as well as two brothers, Walter and Louis (Rusty) Yattaw; his sisters, Marion Schultz, Rita Bigner and Phyllis Brawnwell; son-in-law James Collins; brother in law William (Bill) Batty; and sister-in-law Evelyn Baird, Roger is survived by his wife, Donna; son Roger Jr. and his partner Jane; his daughters Lisa and her husband Art Dinsmore and Janice and her husband Bernie Cox.

He deeply loved his grandchildren Kayla Fairfield and husband Devin, Jacob Collins and wife Kaitlin Callahan, Brandon Cox, Bailee Cox and wife Abby. He was proud of his four great-grandchildren, Malachi, Henry and Evelyn Fairfield, and Fiona Collins.

He is also survived by his brothers Alvin Yattaw and Will Baird, along with his baby sister, Mary-Lou Batty, and sisters in law Karen Yattaw and Joanna Yattaw. He also carried deep affection for his close nephew Francis “Punkin” Dennison and his partner Heidi, and niece Bonnie Winchenbaugh and her husband Conrad, who he considered as close as his children. Additionally, he boasted numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church of St. George, Snows Point Road at Wileys Corner in St. George. A reception will follow at the Wileys Corner Grange.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to the South Thomaston Ambulance, P.O. Box 147, South Thomaston, ME 04858, or the Sussman House, 40 Anchor Drive, Rockport, ME 04856.