First we would like to begin with wishing a happy 54th birthday to the 9th year as president of Somerville Pop Warner, Roger Desrochers Jr.

Roger has lived in the Winter Hill area of Somerville for the past 53 years.

He has been coaching since he was 13 years old, 5 years in the Sister Judy leagues (Mystic Projects) until he was 18 years old.

Roger graduated SHS in 1978 and then joined United States Army.

He was trained at Fort Dix NJ then was later stationed in Germany until 1982.

While stationed in Germany he played football for the USAFE league (United States football Europe) for the “Rhein Main Rockets. ”

He returned back home to Somerville from the military in 1982 then got married in 1983.

Roger and his wife then had 5 children and now their family has grown to include 8 grandchildren.

Roger has coached Somerville Little League for 15 years, both minors and majors, coached Somerville Babe Ruth for 3 years, coached Somerville Pop Warner for 22 years, 9 years as president, 3 years in Arlington Pop Warner, 4 years he helped as a volunteer at Somerville High School Football and he was the Pop Warner Eastern Mass Director for the last 4 years.

While living within the Somerville Housing Authority he became the Vice President of the Tenant’s Association for 6 years and a member for 20 years.

He has been a member of the SHA providers group for 3 years.

Also while serving on the Tenant’s Association he was involved in a teen suicide group that helped the children of Somerville Housing deal with the loss of loved ones or to help those that needed the help to survive.

Roger Desrochers has volunteered and devoted his life to the kids of Somerville for the past 41 years.

Roger Desrochers Jr, we here at the Somerville News Weekly salute you for all that you do to make Somerville a better place!

Congratulations!