Roger Stevens (3 Dec 1941 - 19 Dec 2019)

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RogerStroke Association

£242.50 + Gift Aid of £31.25
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RogerDementia UK

£257.50 + Gift Aid of £40.00
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Location
Basingstoke Crematorium Stockbridge Road Basingstoke RG25 2BA
Date
16th Jan 2020
Time
11.45am
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Location
Bartons Mill Bartons Lane Old Basing RG24 8AE
Date
16th Jan 2020
Time
TBC

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In loving memory of Roger Stevens who sadly passed away on 19th December 2019, aged 78 years.

Although he was raised in the Woodside area of South London, Roger was, as he always said 'A man of Kent', having been born in ROYAL Tunbridge Wells. He lived, mainly though, in a Terraced House in Malcolm Road, with his 2 siblings, his twin - Hilary and older sister Mavis. Their house backed onto a brick works and was very close to a railway line, something that would become a main feature and passion in his life. During the war, the three children were evacuated to Cannington in Somerset, staying with a family at Knapp Farm. He often told stories of his memories from this part of his childhood, the famous Grandad Roger stories. His passion for this area was such that his sons David, Alan and son in law Mark, took him back there for a weekend away, to re-tread his old footsteps and revisit this cherished part of his childhood. Some clever detective work and a chance encounter with a local farmer, took us to find Vera the girl whom they all played with, the daughter of the farmer. He loved this trip, seeing the old places and telling the stories of what they got up to.

After the war, he lived the rest of his childhood in Woodside and started to get VERY interested in trains - steam trains of course back then. Once he was a bit older he'd spend many hours on the platform of Kings Cross station, jotting down numbers and generally getting to know as much about the railways as he could. This was of course during the sixties - 'the swinging sixties' and one had to dress accordingly. sideburns, drainpipe trousers and winkle-picker shoes. He once told a story about how he jumped off the bus that hadn't quite stopped, and the force shoved his feet so hard into the toes of his winkle-pickers, he had to walk home bare foot and in some considerable pain!
It was also during this time of his life that he met his loving wife Christine and they were married in Sanderstead Church on 14 September 1963. Once married, Christine and Roger Stevens moved to a small flat in Coulsden, where they had their 1st child - Jane and then to another flat in Addington, where they had their 2nd child - David.

Roger passed his city and guilds as an engineer and went to work, first making parts for X-Ray machines and then as an instrument maker for a local company called Platons. This company then decided to relocate to one of the new over-spill towns - Basingstoke, and the whole family moved to a brand new 3 bedroom terraced house, where we was to live the rest of his life. It was at this house where he and Christine had their 3rd child - Alan.

Roger worked at Platons for most of his life, until they relocated once more to Sheffield. His experience and knowledge was such that they wanted him to move again, but instead he spent some time working there on a consultancy basis until he finally left Platons for good. His next role would see him working on the railway, where we would work until his retirement, a fitting role for such an enthusiast of all things rail!

Apart from the railways, Roger had a few other interests in life, he was a keen photographer, and did possess a very large number of train photo's as you would expect. He also became the unofficial photographer to the local dance school where Jane and Alan both danced. This also became a small sideline business, taking pictures at the shows and performances and selling them to the parents. He was a Mason for a while, and in his later years took up bowls, which he enjoyed a lot.

He also liked to travel and see other places, his favourite trip being to Australia, after which he was rarely seen out of his leather hat when the sun was shining. But the most travelling he did was behind a steam train on the many, many rail tours he frequented. Sometime with his boys, during the younger years, sometimes with Christine and often on his own but he was always amongst the fraternity of fellow minded folk.

Sadly, in 2012, Roger had his 1st stroke after which life started to slow down. He still walked his dog, Henry and still went on some rail tours and holidays, his last being in 2018 with all of the family to Turkey, which he really enjoyed.
At this point he had been diagnosed with dementia and his life had slowed even further. In May of 2019, he enjoyed one final rail tour with his son Alan and very soon after this, he was admitted to hospital and then finally to a nursing home, where he spent his final days. He enjoyed his 78th birthday with his whole family around him and then sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 19th of December.

He leaves behind a loving family of wife, 3 children and 5 grandchildren who all miss him dearly.

Mavis Adams donated £25 in memory of Roger

I will always miss you...hope you and Goff are keeping out of trouble! X

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Amanda Adams donated £25 in memory of Roger

Will miss u...x

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Alison, Robert, Milly and Anya Longbottom donated £25 in memory of Roger
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Jane Sanderson donated £72.50 in memory of Roger

These are the donations from Dad's collection box split 50/50 (I have a cheque for £20 to pay direct to the charity)

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Jane Sanderson donated £92.50 in memory of Roger

Donations from the collection box at Dad's funeral, we split these 50/50

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Tanya Schipelbaum posted a picture
Roger  - Mischievous, kind, and probably the guy that made me most aware of history and politics.  Also one of the few people that remembered my Dad with a proper knowledge of who he was.  Will miss you loads.  Huge Love Tanya, Andrew and Family xxxxxxxx

Roger - Mischievous, kind, and probably the guy that made me most aware of history and politics. Also one of the few people that remembered my Dad with a proper knowledge of who he was. Will miss you loads. Huge Love Tanya, Andrew and Family xxxxxxxx

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David Stevens posted a picture
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Nicky Melville wrote

We will always love and remember you Grandad Roger lots of love Nicky, Paul, Amy and Beccy xxx

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Nicky Melville donated £25 in memory of Roger

Love from Nicky, Paul, Amy and Beccy

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Tanya Schipelbaum donated in memory of Roger

For Roger with so much love xxx

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Bob Taylor donated £25 in memory of Roger

In loving memory of Roger . from Bob and Hilary

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Bob Taylor donated £25 in memory of Roger

In Loving Memory of Roger, from Bob and Hilary

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Irene Branch posted a picture
Must be lunch time!

Must be lunch time!

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Irene Branch posted a picture
Time to coverup

Time to coverup

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Irene Branch posted a picture
Don’t waste it!

Don’t waste it!

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Hilary Taylor lit a candle
Hilary Taylor wrote

What a lovely obituary for my twin brother Roger. When I read it my feelings were very sad and then happy. It brought back lots of memories when we were evacuated to Knapp Farm Cannington. Also our mum going barmy over his winkle pickers and his teddy boy looks.
Rest in peace Roger, and the memories of our childhood will be with me for ever. xx

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Bob Taylor wrote

One of my favourite memories of Roger is the time we were all on holiday at Calpe Spain. We both decided to climb the rock. I think it's called Ifach. If memory serves me right Roger pronounced it different when we finally got down off it... We downed several beers and got over the pain.
Will miss you Roger RIP.
Bob

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Irene Branch posted a picture
This was your best pose❤️

This was your best pose❤️

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Irene Branch is attending the funeral and the reception
Irene Branch lit a candle
Irene Branch posted a picture
I think this pose was one of your best❤️

I think this pose was one of your best❤️

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Irene Branch wrote

Hope your having lots of laughs up there Roger, just as we did when you were here with us. Love and miss you lots
Alan & Irene (happy)😜🤪

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Irene Branch donated in memory of Roger

In fond memory of Roger Stevens

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Christine Stevens lit a candle
Vicky Whitfield posted a picture
My New Year buddy. Xxx

My New Year buddy. Xxx

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Vicky Whitfield wrote

Roger, my New Year buddy, my Kenny Rogers! So many lovely memories of a great bloke with a real twinkle in his eye!!

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Christine Stevens posted a picture
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Christine Stevens posted a picture
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Christine Stevens posted a picture
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