James F. Rogers, Jr.

James “Jim” Francis Rogers, Jr., 75, of Fall River, MA passed away Monday, August 23, 2021 surrounded by the love and comfort of his family.

The son of the late Lena “Lee” (Gauthier) and James F. Rogers, Sr., Jim was born and raised in Tiverton, RI.  He was a 1964 graduate of Rogers High School in Newport, RI and attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY where he earned his Professional Certification as an electrical instructor.  A veteran of the United States Army, he served as an artillery surveyor during the Vietnam War.

A Master Electrician, Jim began his career training as an apprentice with his father at Rogers Electric.  Upon receiving his journeyman license, he worked for Gemco Electrical Company in Fall River.  Jim was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.  Over the course of his career, he traveled across the country working on contracts for construction sites, power plants, and other complex electrical projects.  Wherever he traveled, he was known to bring jugs of coffee syrup and a cooler with chouriço and stuffed quahogs from Rhode Island to share with friends he met along the way.  Later in his career, Jim settled in Wappingers Falls, NY and was a Vocational Instructor teaching electrical trade skills for the State of New York.  Upon an early retirement due to health issues, Jim moved to Fall River.

As a young boy, Jim was a communicant of Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton where he was an altar server and attended elementary school.  A rock and roll music enthusiast, Jim formed a band during his youth and played at Tiverton Fire Barn and CYO dances.  Since boyhood, Jim loved fishing along Tiverton’s shorelines, especially Borden Wharf and Jack’s Island.  An avid outdoorsman, Jim treasured the countless hunting trips he spent with his son.

He is survived by his sister, Jane Rogers (Uriel Maranhas) of Tiverton; faithful companion, Joanne Paiva of Fall River; Goddaughter and niece, Michelle-Lee Humphrey (Robert) of Little Compton, RI; nephew, Major Gregory Jackson (Allison Higa) of Honolulu, HI; granddaughter, Tiffany Gifford (Devin Rocha) of Texas; grandson, James Gifford of Texas; great-grandson, Kross Taylor Rocha of Texas; great nephews, Jacob Humphrey, Luke Humphrey and Dan Jackson; great nieces, Emma Humphrey and Lexie Jackson and many cousins who he loved dearly.  He was predeceased by his son, James F. Gifford.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 9:00 AM from Auclair Funeral Home, 690 South Main St., Fall River with a funeral service at Holy Trinity Church, 1956 Main Road, Tiverton at 10:00 AM.  Burial, Notre Dame Cemetery.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, August 25, 2021 from 5:00–7:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215; www.diabetes.org/donate/donate-memorial