Roger Wesley Deal

Roger Wesley Deal- a man of faith, people, and music- died Sunday, July 19, 2020, in Boylston, Massachusetts, with loving family at his side. He was 87.

Roger was born December 13, 1932, in Peoria, the son of John and Mary Deal. He was the eldest of four children, including brother John and sisters Theola, Naomi, and Eleanor (who died at birth). Growing up during the Great Depression, Roger was known for his popular, easygoing nature, his talent for playing the trumpet, and his love of playing all sports, especially basketball and softball. At Olivet Nazarene College, he majored in music and became deeply involved in church ministry. He composed spirituals and played the trumpet and piano in places of worship ranging from dusty tent meetings in Midwestern fields to missionary meetings in the hills outside Havana, Cuba. He recorded gospel music, too, including the album A Lovely Song, which featured songs such as “What a Day That Will Be” and “When They Ring Those Golden Bells.” He would always keep that love of spirituals. Up until the final days of his life, he was known to sit down at the piano and sing spirituals such as “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.”

In college, he also studied business and would go on to build a distinguished career in the insurance industry. His natural ease around people helped him become a successful salesperson and then executive in charge of managing several field offices for companies such as People’s Home Federal in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Royal Life Insurance in New York. He was the type of executive who insisted on visiting his sales teams personally to understand the nuances of their jobs and their local cultures, whether that meant spending time in the crowded streets of San Francisco or driving to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Along the way, he remained very active in his faith (he was a choir director at church), music, and sports. He was known as a competitive firebrand in softball leagues he participated in, and he was known to his friends as a serious student of gin rummy and poker.

Roger served on the Boylston school committee and was also elected as a selectman for the town of Boylston, Massachusetts. Long after he ended his years of service, he maintained an unofficial status as Boylston’s counselor, always willing to offer words of advice and help when asked

Roger was a resilient, charming man with a fondness for his dog, Cricket, and an irascible sense of humor. He always enjoyed hearing a joke and teasing those he loved, first and foremost his family. He is loved and missed by many.

He is survived by his loving wife Joan, of Boylston, Massachusetts; and his children Jody Getz, Cathy Segraves, Karen Bach, Daniel Deal, David Deal, Michael Deal, Stephen Deal and his stepson, Howard Rappaport. Roger will also be lovingly remembered by his brother, John Deal, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren

Calling Hours will be on Thursday, July 23, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.  His Funeral Service will be held privately, but will be “live streamed”, and can be viewed on Friday, July 24, at 10 a.m., by visiting the funeral home website and selecting “live services”.  Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Boylston.

In accordance with public health guidelines, social distancing and the use of face masks that cover the nose and mouth, will be practiced during services.

In lieu of flowers, donation in his memory may be made to First Congregational Church-Boylston, 10 Church Street, Boylston, MA 01505.