James Roger Pearson
July 9, 1937 to October 14, 2023
Obituary
For those people unable to attend the service for James Pearson on Friday October 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., have the option of viewing it via this link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5NzgyMDQ2MTI3NzM3MiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==
Passed peacefully away in the Palliative Care Unit at the Miller Centre on Saturday October 14 2023, Roger Pearson aged 86.
Roger leaves to mourn his wife Marget and her children Floyd (Taryn Rosenthal), Hannah (Mike Marchand) and Lindsay (Jon Adey), and his daughter Kathryn (Peter Fitzpatrick), his sons Paul (Kim Walters, deceased), Tim (Joan Batucan), Nick (Kelly Giannou) and Peter (Carolyn Reimer), his brother John and family in Ontario and nieces and nephews in the UK. He is survived by 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Roger was born in Yorkshire England but considered Newfoundland and especially Conception Harbour his lifelong home. Trained in the UK as a naval architect, and following early career achievements in shipyards in Pakistan, the Isle of Man and Montreal, Roger arrived in St. John’s in 1968 to head up the Naval Architecture Department at the College of Fisheries, Navigation, Marine Engineering and Electronics which later became the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of NL. An interest in international development led him to establish MI International in 1987, building partnerships with educational institutions and government agencies across Canada and abroad. After his retirement from MI, Roger became a valued team member on educational and marine related development projects primarily in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Roger thoroughly enjoyed his work and his interactions with colleagues.
Roger also contributed substantially to the early development of canoeing in the province. In the early 1970s, he became the founding president of both the St. John’s Canoe Club and the Newfoundland Canoe Association. After obtaining instructor certification at the Atlantic Instructor School in 1976, the first nationally accredited Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association instructor program was conducted in Newfoundland in 1978 under Roger’s direction. Roger also managed a team of coaches and athletes in the sport of canoe kayak for the 1981 Canada Games, bringing two medals to the province.
Thanks to friends and neighbours in Conception Harbour and area, as well as to Martina Joy for her vigilant caregiving during Roger’s battle with Lewy Body Dementia. The Station Diner provided wonderful fish and chips every Friday during his final season.
Cremation has taken place.
A visitation will be held on at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on Thursday October 26, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Carnell Memorial Chapel on Friday October 27th, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.
Roger loved all animals, especially his two Bernese Mountain Dogs. Donations in Roger’s name can be made either to the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs Scholarship Program or to a charity of one’s choice.
Schedule
Visitations
2-4 p.m. on October 26, 2023
7-9 p.m. on October 26, 2023
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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funeral
11:00am, Friday October 27th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
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Dear Marget,
It is with heavy heart that I learn of Roger’s passing, my sincere condolences. Sending you, and the family all the love. I have been blessed and privileged knowing Roger since summer 2007 in Amman, Jordan.
Loads of love
Amira Kazem
Marget and family
It was my pleasure to work with Roger at the Marine Institute and I was shocked today to learn of his passing. He was an outstanding leader at the Institute and spearheaded a naval architecture program which was on the leading edge. When I served as DM of Fisheries during the moratorium I leaned heavily on Roger for his sage advice. My condolences to his family and many friends.
David Vardy
I am so saddend to hear of Rogers passing. We connected 15 years ago through our mutual love of Bernese Mountain Dogs. When i needed help, Roger was there for me, his trust in me will never be forgotten. I know Cassie, Sabah and Petra have met him on the oherside. Love from the Riverstead Family. To Marget and family,
all my love
Bernadette
Marget and family,
I am deeply saddened by the death of Roger. His multiple contributions have surely made the world a better place.
Roger was kind enough to invite me to join him and Marget in some of their travels. A such, I am truly grateful for having the opportunity to share adventures such as sailing the Nile, climbing the Pyramids and attending an opera in Prague – all thanks to Roger’s generosity of spirit.
I will miss him.
Cindy Curran
So sorry to hear of Rogers passing.
Marget , please accept my sympathy to you and your family.
Karen
Marget and family:
Roger was an incredibly special person – thoughtful, kind, generous with his time and his knowledge and what he had seen and learned in his world work and travel. I think he made us better people.
Our family will always treasure our friendship and our shared adventures.
Leslie, Dan, Kieran and Stevie.
Margaret and family I offer sincere condolences on the death of Roger. Roger was an icon of international activity in the Memorial University Marine Institute and the pubic college system. His involvement globally was impressive. Rest in Peace, Roger..
Marget and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. What a huge loss for your family and community. Sending love and strength.
Allie
Marget and family,
Our condolences at this time of sorrow and remembrance. We will remember Roger as a kind, generous and wise man, of many parts and many interests, from gardening and opera to international development. His perspectives, born of experience of many cultures, broadened others’ awareness of the wider world we all share – so valuable a contribution.
Pat Grattan & Ian Bowmer
I truly admired Roger, or “Mr. Pearson,” as I knew him. His wit and quiet sense of humour always made me smile.. He seemed worldly, calling me “infamous” before I even knew the meaning of the word. He was always landing at St. John’s airport from distant, exotic places. His bigger world helped to inform my smaller view. He created beautiful things and built inspiring places. A man of many talents, to me his most admirable trait was how he loved his family, of which my sister Kim was a part. To Marget and the entire Pearson family, we send our deepest condolences. Our hearts are with you at this time as we remember Roger and the gift of his friendship. May he rest in peace.
Love,
Andrea Walters & Family
Dear Marget and family
My deepest condolences on Roger’s passing. I got to know Roger through the Marine Institute. After his retirement I would meet him walking on the trail and then through Perchance Theatre. I always had a deep respect and admiration for Roger and his many abilities. He has left a wonderful legacy to many and to this province. May he rest in peace.
Dear Marget and family
Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
While we have not seen Roger for many years, the times in which we were together we appreciated and enjoyed.
Charlotte and Stephen Jewczyk
Marget and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing
Such an intelligent and interesting man
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you..
Diane and Melvin Eason
Dear Marget
Roger was such a fine man, whose contributions to the province were immense. Jim and I feel privileged to have known him, and enjoyed his hospitality and conversations on many different subjects. You shared many adventures together. We send our sympathy to you at this time.