Alvin Henry Rodgers, 91, of Nashua, NH, a native of Hudson, NH, formerly of Windham, NH, and Fort Myers, FL, died peacefully after a great life. “I don’t think I would change anything,” said Al in his final days.
He was the son of George H. and Ella M. Rodgers and was born on August 30, 1931, in Hudson, New Hampshire. The family lived at the .5 Cent Stop at Stuarts Corner where together they ran a country store and filling station. The second of five brothers, Al was predeceased by his youngest brother Ronald and his oldest brother Phil. “Being the biggest, there was never any fighting among us when we were kids growing up. I would have won, and, besides, it was not allowed!” His roots were buried deep in the Catholic faith and a strong work ethic. The family left St. Pats in Nashua when St. Johns the Evangelist opened in Hudson in the early 1950s, where he held the title of Grand Knight.
Each summer Al’s dad would buy a house lot in town, and, being a Jack-of-all-Trades, he and his boys would build a house and put it up for sale. “Dad never ran out of work for us to do,” said Al on a sunny afternoon chat. Learning all those skills from his dad would secure his future success.
Al graduated from Nashua High in 1951 and joined the Air Force. He married a Hudson girl, Mary Reilly, and together they set off to begin life in the Service. While stationed in Texas, their first child, Michael was born, and Kathryn followed once they moved to Illinois. After serving four years in the Air Force, Al and Mary returned to Hudson for a three-month leave. The couple used this time to build a house. When Al realized he could make more money in those 90 days than he could have in an entire year in the Service, a life-changing decision was made. Al was an electrical engineer and with his brother Phil, Rodgers Brothers Builders was formed. Al was 25 years old.
At the height of Rodgers Brothers, the company built 2,500 single-family homes, 450 apartment units, 600 mini storage units, and the Nashua Tennis Center. Al was also responsible for starting several construction businesses, such as plumbing, cabinets, concrete, and trucking. The list goes on. Rodgers Brothers never used sub-contractors. They employed thirty-two full-time specialists from bulldozer operators to finish carpenters.
Al and Mary had three more children, Gary, Keith, and Lisa. Lisa died in infancy. In 1962 Mary tragically lost her life to a form of Sleeping Sickness. “She said she had a headache and she passed out. She never woke up again,” Al said with glassy blue eyes. Left with four children and a business to run, his mother came to live with the family.
Having a driving work ethic, Al also took civic responsibilities very seriously. As a Life Member of the Hudson Lions Club, his contributions were numerous. He served as President and District Governor and chaired many committees which included the building of the Rec Center on Oakwood Street, the Lions Hall (now the Hudson Community Building), the Lions baseball field, and a swimming pool.
Al was involved in many community activities. He never ran for political office because “he was just too darn busy!” He was president of the Home Builders Association of New Hampshire and was the Citizen of the Year for the Hudson Chamber of Commerce. Al also held a seat on the Building Board of Appeals. His biggest contribution to the community was when Alvin along with his brother Phil donated $4 million dollars to the town of Hudson, New Hampshire, for the purpose of building the George H. and Ella M. Rodgers Memorial Library.
Al loved “all things that go” and bought his first motorized vehicle at age 13. It was a motorcycle that came in a box, and he had to put it together. Over his lifetime, he would always have the latest car, boat, and even an airplane! Al loved his cars.
In 1963, lifelong friends Bob and Connie Plamondon introduced him to Betty Morse. He “courted” her for a year and a half before she became his bride and very best friend. “She got me to dance.” When Sinatra sang ‘New York, New York’ the dance floor would clear so everyone could watch Al and Betty create magic!
Al always said, “She became my best friend and still is to this day.” During their 58 years together, Al and Betty had two daughters, Pam and Linda. They lost Kathy to cancer when she was only 16. Their marriage/love affair/friendship was a true example for their children and grandchildren to emulate.
They enjoyed traveling and went on at least 20 cruises. Having traveled all over the United States, England, and Ireland, they made a cross-country motor home trip with all the children. It was a trip of a lifetime!
When they were not traveling, Al and Betty resided on Cobbetts Pond, in Windham, New Hampshire, where Al was the ski boat driver for ski competitions. During the winter months, they resided in Florida – first in Cape Coral, where Al was a member of a boating club, and then in Fort Myers, where he enjoyed the golf club. He was also a member of Nashua Country Club for 38 years.
Family always came first with Al. His greatest wish was that his children and grandchildren would know as happy a life as he did. “I am so lucky to have had Betty in my life and so lucky to have had Phil. He was the greatest guy in the world to work with. I worked a lifetime with him, and I enjoyed every minute! Of course, finding Betty was my greatest achievement.”
Al is survived by his loving wife Betty Ann (Morse) Rodgers, his sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Diane Rodgers, Gary and Robin Rodgers, Keith and Alessandra Rodgers, his daughters and sons-in-law Pam and Jeff Lalmond and Linda and Robb Clemons, grandchildren Aaron Rodgers and Elise Do, Nessa, and Chris Regan, Jeff and Kathleen Rodgers, Kate and Bob Dufour, Rose, Lily, Iris, and Miles Clemons, Emily, and Bridget Lalmond, and great-grandchildren Lyla, Adria, Stella, and Zoe.
This was a man impressed by kindness, integrity, humility, and generosity, not by money, degrees, and titles. The world lost a great one in Alvin Henry Rodgers.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Monday, February 20th from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Kathryn Church, 4 Dracut Road, Hudson, Tuesday, February 21st 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Hudson. Friends are invited to attend and will gather at the church. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com
