Roger Claude Lauper

Roger Claude Lauper of Enfield passed away, surrounded by family, on April 15, 2026, at the age of 75. Roger was a man of many hats: husband, father, Papa, brother, uncle, friend, fireman, Marine, and correction officer. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Doreen (Gray). They enjoyed a close, connected, and loving relationship; they not only loved but also liked each other. The blessings from their marriage are: Lynn Beth, married to Nick; Ryan Chad, married to Lisy; and Shawn Michael, married to Tess. We pray their marriages last as long, and are as close, as their parents’. Roger’s favorite hat was Papa. Papa cherished spending time laughing with and loving on his seven grandbabies! He taught them about love, honor, integrity, responsibility, the importance of ice cream, and NCIS. Iris, a blessing from Lynn; Arianna, Riley, Blake, and Jax, blessings from Ryan; and last but not least, Lux and Lia, blessings from Shawn. Roger’s brother Wayne and Wayne’s wife Judy were also by Roger’s side through the worst of his sickness and at his passing. His other siblings are Ron (Debbie) Lauper, Carol Moore, and Catherine (Jack) Reed.

Roger was born in Elmira on April 6, 1951, to Robert and Marjorie (May) Lauper. He and his siblings worked hard on the family farm and neighboring farms. Roger went to school at Odessa-Montour. Three days after graduating high school, Roger boarded the bus to boot camp. He served three years in the Marine Corps and did two tours of duty during the Vietnam Conflict. After returning home, Roger bought a baby blue Dodge Challenger (the exception to his lifelong love of trucks), began volunteering for the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company (EVFC), and obtained employment with the New York State Department of Corrections. Roger took pride in his work at Monterey Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility and Willard Drug Treatment Center. Both intensive, minimum-security, military-style programs served as voluntary sentencing alternatives to long-term “fortress” incarceration. At Willard, Roger held the positions of Fire and Safety Officer for the State and Fire Chief. Roger was a dedicated member of the EVFC for more than 50 years. He was a line officer for most of that time—running into burning buildings until age 62—and served as Chief for six years. It is difficult to overstate how important the firehouse and community service were to Roger. While wearing the Chief hat he encouraged, guided, and mentored many men, women, and children from at least three generations.

In the last five years, Roger and Doreen split their time living in New York and South Carolina to see all their grandbabies. Roger manned the grill at family gatherings, mowed his and his kids’ lawns, spent time “tinkering” around the house, went on family vacations and trips with his wife and friends. He enjoyed driving his truck (his pickup or a fire engine); listening to country music; buying scratch-off lotto tickets; watching westerns, crime dramas, and White Christmas (his favorite holiday film). We will miss his infectious smile, his wry sense of humor, his twinkly green-blue eyes, and the musical “doot-doot, doot” phrase he’d spontaneously utter at random. We will miss his round belly that he rested his grandbabies on as infants and that supported our heads when heavy. We will miss the way he cared for the people and things around him.

Roger had a signature demeanor—he retained his military bearing, and when he walked into the firehouse, corner store, or anywhere in public, Roger knew someone he “had” to talk to. He was the star of the show regardless of who was with him. With his neatly trimmed hair and clean shave, black comb and white handkerchief in his back pocket, and the iconic White Owl Miniature hanging out of his mouth, Roger could always find something to do or someone to talk to. He was ready and willing to share knowledge, correct you if you were wrong, and he had a sixth sense for knowing if anything had happened to his truck. He spent time with his kids but also helped raise many others. Whether it was in New York or South Carolina, Roger and Doreen’s house usually became the hang-out spot. Even though he’d say no at first, Roger would make whoever came over feel welcome and always invite them back.

Roger taught others to do a good job—and the right thing—for its own sake. He led by example and served his country, community, and family wholeheartedly. As a first responder, Roger helped people at vehicle accidents, health crises, and fires at all hours and in all conditions. He volunteered to be there for people in their worst, most vulnerable, and sometimes last moments. Roger’s family thanks all the hospital, first responder, and Hospicare personnel who cared for Roger from the time of his cancer diagnosis to his final days.

Burial will be held privately for family at New York State Veterans Cemetery–Finger Lakes. A Celebration of Life, open to all friends and family, will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on May 16, 2026, at the Enfield Volunteer Fire Company. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Roger’s memory to the EVFC.