William W. Curran

I remember Mr Rogers, ( Curly behind his back) he was at most practices for just about every thing we did, he always sub-coach if needed and ran some of the  scrimmages against the first team.  Not a big person but even at his advanced age (we never knew his age) he thew his weight around in good natured humor and enthusiasm, his chest stuck out and his curly red hair always in place.  Highly. respected by the coaches and players alike.  He was  retired but volunteered long unofficial hours at practices and games, he loved sports, the players and the competition.   I am glad to see he lived a long and enjoyable life

Bill Curran

John F. Magee

I remember Mr. Rogers well. Mostly from Shop class I think but, as Billy Curran said, he was always on the athletic fields. He came to a lot of track practices and in my brief experience on the football team I saw a lot of him on the sidelines. Guys like Billy Curran, Tommy Kiley, Paul Dechamps, Wojo,  Micky Gillis, Tommy Hanrahan, Franny Lacy and the others were on the field so maybe did not get to "interact" (-:  as much with Mr. R. (What a great football team we had!)

To me he was one tough sob and he could show his temper if disrespected, but that was part of a life lesson that only prepared me a little better for Drill Instructrors at Fort Bragg. As a young and foolish boy at the time I might not have seen the character and the gifts he freely gave to us, but looking back I count Mr. Rogers as a very fine man who lived his life to help others and thought it very important to shape young people in the ways of respect. The world needs more of his kind.

RIP Mr. Rogers and Thank You. 

John F. Magee

The hazzards of naming names. How could I forget the great and hard-nosed Joe Zona and that great line? Lots of time has passed and I know I missed a lot of names of other great players but memories of that great team remain. I think Mr. Rogers would forgive me for rambling on about his boys.  He did love them so. 

Paul K. DeSchamp

We were sitting in his shop class for the first time, on the shop table and as young boys would do we were swinging our legs. When Mr. Rogers came into class he said "the next guy to swing his legs will get a back hander, and if you think I'm kidding try me". Welcome to shop class. His other great line that I can't forget even after 50 plus years was, "for Chris sake stop digging for bait".

Playing football, I became less and less intimidated by him and I gained a lot if respect for him.He was one tough SOB. 

RIP Mr. Rogers

Alan P. Gnospelius

He really was a great teacher and a wonderful role mode. I remember one evening I was working PT at Milton's and Curly came in to buy a nice suit. He remembered me, and came over to get my advice. This was after graduating 10 years earlier!  He was THE legend at Atlantic and NQHS.

Jerry Tisdell

Who didn't love Curley Rogers, if you met him he was dynamic and when he liked you he championed you, he was always in your corner. I have never forgotten Mr. Rogers or his inspirational talks to me. He always referred to me as Tiz and for the one year I was at North he was like a father figure. Like me he was never really big in stature, he was a short man but he stood ten feet tall where ever he was. I was playing softball in a league and had a game at a park in Miami Beach. I was wearing my North Quincy football practice shirt and after the game some guy came up and asked me if I knew Curly Rogers? That man could not say enough good things about coach Rogers. He said he could not believe he was still active in coaching. He remarked at  how tough and how fair he was. He said he loved Coach Rogers because he helped him. I never saw a man so happy because I knew his coach. What a legend he was. On many occasion Curly would spend a lot of time with me telling me that I could be the best if I put my heart into what ever I do. Something I will remember forever, passed on to my kids and to my grand kids.  Good mentors in our lives.  He only saw the best in everyone. Rest in Peace Coach. Your memory lives on with those you touched.