Obituary of Roger Keith Sutherland

Roger Sutherland, a lifelong resident of Forest, passed away peacefully at the age of 91. A man of quiet strength and enduring devotion, Roger was the beloved husband of 65 years to Diane, with whom he built a life rich in love and gentle moments together.

 Roger was the devoted father of Roger, who passed in infancy; Tuesday (Charlie), who went before him; and his surviving children, Scott (Karen), Lisa (Alex), and Sarah (Jason), who remain to honour his memory. He was an extremely proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought him great joy. Roger was a cherished brother-in-law to Pat (late Jack), Linda (John), and Cathy (late Henry). He was predeceased by his parents, Alex and Lloy Sutherland, as well as his parents-in-law, Joy and Gordon MacGregor.

 Roger’s roots ran deep in the Forest community. He began his career in the early 1950s with People's Telephone of Forest. He made his early living climbing poles, repairing lines, and installing telephones in homes across town. It was on one of those service calls that Roger met Diane, as he installed her family’s very first telephone, a meeting that sparked a lifelong love. Roger retired after 40 years of dedicated service as manager of People's Telephone.

 Roger’s passions were plentiful and enduring. He was a skilled builder and flyer of radio-controlled airplanes and a proud member of the Forest Lakeside Flyers flying club. In his younger days, he loved stock car racing and spent many weekends working with the pit crew at Harewood Acres and Mosport. Roger celebrated his 90th birthday in style by driving the track in a bright red Ferrari.

 His deep love of the outdoors began in his youth. He spent his time waterskiing and paddling his Peterborough cedar strip canoe at the family cottage in Richmond Park, Port Franks — a cottage built by his parents in the 1950s, a place he would later share with his children and grandchildren. In later years, he could most often be found on the cottage’s screened porch, feeding the chipmunks and watching the birds, content with the quiet rhythms of a simple life.

 Roger gave back to the community he loved, serving two terms on Forest Town Council, participating in the Forest Garden Club, and supporting Camp Huron in Bayfield — a cherished summer destination for many of his grandchildren. He also helped operate Steamers Coffee House in Forest, alongside his wife Diane and their daughter Sarah, providing a welcoming place for the community to gather.

 “He comes as a guest to the feast of existence, and knows that what matters is not how much he inherits but how he behaves at the feast, and what people remember and love him for.” — Boris Pasternak, To Friends East and West

 Roger was a man of few words but great knowledge — the kind of man who listened carefully, worked quietly, and always knew how to fix what was broken. What people remembered and loved him for was not what he said, but how he showed up to the feast: steady, wise, and reflective.

 He will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his steadfast devotion to his wife Diane, love of wildlife, 3 o'clock coffee time, a tin of mints, and a video camera in his hand, documenting cherished family moments, a glimpse of life through his eyes.

A public visitation will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 10am-11:30am, at Denning’s of Forest.

A private family service and private interment will follow at a later time.

Cremation has taken place.

Donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the Forest Lakeside Flyers. The Funeral Home will be accepting cheques only for donations.

Online condolences may be shared at www.forestfuneralhome.com