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Roger Wehage of Atlantic Drive, Old Saybrook, passed away Dec. 7. He was predeceased by both his birth and adoptive parents. Born Jan. 27, 1937, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Woodrow Smith and Lenora Akridge. His birth name was James Alan. He was adopted Dec. 6, 1937, by William Wehage, age 45, and his wife Marie, age 39; his adoptive name was Roger David.

He lived at 5742 Marmion Land, Cincinnati, and was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church on Dec. 5, 1937. He graduated from St. Xavier High School and John Carroll University. He received his master’s in social work from UConn. Leaving John Carrol in Cleveland, he came to Deep River as a child care worker at Mount Saint John. After three years in a job he truly loved, he was employed by the State of Connecticut in what is now DCF.

Retiring in 1988, he became a volunteer EMT for the Old Saybrook Ambulance Association. To his great disappointment, poor health required him to stop. From 1966 to the present he lived in Cornfield Point, Fernwood, and Knollwood. He loved Connecticut and Old Saybrook, and only returned to Ohio to bury his father.

Swan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. There will be no wake and burial will be private. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John’s Church on Monday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.

Roger was extremely thankful and somewhat embarrassed by the amount of help he received from his neighbors, especially his friend who helped repair his house after purchase, and his friend who took care of his dogs during his many hospitalizations.