Coleman Arthur Rogers

1934-2025

CAPE ELIZAETH – Coleman (Coley) Rogers, 90 years old, resident of Cape Elizabeth, passed away in his home surrounded by his wife and children on March 8, 2025, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born at Maine General Hospital in Portland on November 6, 1934. Coley was a graduate of South Portland High School and then attended Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) in Wollaston, Massachusetts, where he received a bachelor's degree in education in 1959.  He was able to come back to serve ENC on the Board of Trustees for 15 years. Following his undergraduate education, he completed two master's degrees at Eastern and Southern Illinois Universities.

He met the love of his life, Nancy Mucci (from Lucerne Mines, Pennsylvania) at ENC, and married her in 1958. They moved from Massachusetts to Chicago, Illinois, to pursue their careers in education. After 12 years, the family returned to his home in Maine where he continued his career in education for 30+ years. He served as Principal at Forest Street, Canal, and Congin Elementary Schools in Westbrook.  He always enjoyed exploring innovative learning methods with his team of support staff and teachers.

During his four decades of educational service, he also worked summers at Portland Jet Port Security and eventually went on to be a Park Ranger at Fort Williams. Coincidentally, his father had been stationed at Fort Williams during WWI. Coley had a passion for history and enjoyed sharing the local history of the park with visitors from around the world.  He worked 18 summers as a Park Ranger and "snow birded" in Florida.

Coleman's faith was very important to him. He was a member of Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene for 55 years where he served as a board member and teacher at adult Sunday School. He loved talking about his faith which was rivaled only by his love of gospel music.

He was preceded in death by his father, Coleman (Bucky) Rogers Sr., his mother, Manola St. Claire, and sister, Edith Dobson. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and children Heidi Hepler (Keith) and Troy Rogers (Betty), and grandchildren Kurt (Connie), Andrew (Elizabeth), Brandon (Grace), Michaela (Josh), Thomas (Rachel), Alex, Elura, Elijah, nephew Rick (Diane), nieces Marlene and Judy (Ron), as well as five great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for their care and support. There will be a celebration of life on April 26, 2025, at Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene.   Donations in Coley's memory may be made to the Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene or Friends of Fort Williams Park.