George Roger Black, 85

March 27, 2015

George Roger Black, 85, of Willow Valley Retirement Communities, Lancaster, PA peacefully passed away on Friday, March 27, 2015 at Lancaster General Hospital.
Born in Springfield, OH, he was the son of the late George C. and Evelyn E. Eastman Black.
Roger was a US Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Wittenberg College and later worked as an analyst for the US government at NSA for 30 years.
Roger from 1957 to 1976 lived in Lanham Maryland with his wife Dorothy, where they raised their daughter, Deborah and son, Roger II. Roger coached Basketball in the mid 1970s, for the Lanham Boys Club. He also was a member of the Belair Golf Club in Bowie , MD. A group of Roger’s golfing buddies at Belair became known as the Mouthy Club. One of Roger’s golfing buddies and good friend, Roger Morigi was a Master Stone Carver at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. Being such great friends, Mr. Morigi carved a Gargoyle in the likeness of Roger. Still to this day, his likeness will be forever adorned as a part of the many Stone Carvings at the National Cathedral.
Roger in the late 1970’s, moved to Crofton MD with his wife Dorothy and their family. Roger became a member of the Crofton Country Club; where he enjoyed many a day playing golf with the Internationals. Upon Dorothy’s passing, Roger moved to Ocean Pines, Ocean City MD, where he resided for several years. Roger loved visiting Assateaque Island and walking through the nature paths, which he did regularly. He took up the game of pool and played in a pool league, which he enjoyed very much. While living in Ocean Pines, Roger was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.
Roger, approaching his later senior years, decided to move to Willow Valley Retirement Communities in Lancaster, PA, to be closer to his family. Roger’s family was his greatest treasure, and they were very devoted to one another. At Willow Valley, he became fast friends with many of the residents. His welcoming there created a whole new adventure in his life. Roger loved the camaraderie with his friends and residents at Willow Valley. He became a member of the Food Committee, an endeavor he enjoyed very much. Roger at one time, loved to cook, so being on the Food Committee, was something special to him. Roger was a very social man. One of the many social activities he enjoyed the most at Willow Valley, is the fireside chats with the Do Nothings. They would gather regularly after supper and discuss every topic under the sun.
Roger was a member of St. Phillip The Apostle Catholic Church in Lancaster, PA. Roger regularly attended Vespers held Sunday evenings, in the Manor Auditorium at Willow Valley. Roger was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Roger is survived by his daughter, Deborah L. (Black) McKee married to Norris H. McKee Jr. of Stewartstown, PA; his daughter-in-law Sebrina DiFrancesca Black, wife of the late George Roger Black II of Pasadena, MD; his 7 grandchildren, Robert Grimes married to Alexandra McLeod Grimes of Phoenix, MD; George Roger Black III married to Frances Normaine Urgel Black of Glen Burnie, MD; Samantha (Black) O’Hara married to Daniel O’Hara of Glen Burnie, MD; Francesca, Andrea, Danielle and Veronica Black all of Pasadena, MD; his 5 great grandchildren Dillon and Cameron Grimes of Phoenix, MD , Ethan Soto and Colin O’Hara of Glen Burnie, MD, and George Roger Black IV of Glen Burnie, MD; and, by his brothers, Dan Black of Ft. Myers , FL and Les Black of Mesa, AZ. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy L. (Twiford) Black and his beloved son, George Roger Black II.
Memorial Services and a Celebration of Roger’s Life will be held at Willow Valley Retirement Communities (Manor Auditorium) on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at 3:00 PM.
Please make contribution in Roger’s memory to Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 East Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202.