Roger Tooze

Roger Tooze passed away from this life on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 9:45am peacefully at home with the comfort of family caring for him. Roger was born on June 9, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Don Bosco Technical High School, a private, Roman Catholic high school, in New Jersey. After graduating from High School he had plans to begin studies at Don Bosco Seminary in preparation to become a Salesian Brother. He left the seminary at the age of 19 to work with his father Edward Tooze as an apprentice at Pandick Press in New York City. He soon met his wife Geraldine Casale. They were married on May 23, 1964 at Our Lady of Refuge in Brooklyn, New York. Roger and Geraldine made their home in Brooklyn where they had two children Michael in 1965 and Annamarie in 1969. They moved to Staten Island, New York; Jackson, New Jersey; then to Naples, Florida. They first bought their home in Naples in 2001 as snowbirds while Roger worked at Cooper Union College. Upon retirement in 2007 Roger and Geraldine made Naples their permanent residence.

Roger was a hard worker holding several jobs to support his family. He worked in the engineering department at the World Trade Center, Twin Towers, then became a licensed operating engineer moving on to several other large buildings in Manhattan. Recognized for his keen business sense and managerial acumen Roger was recruited into the management ranks. Responsible for the property management of large skyscraper buildings in New York City, most notably 9 West 57th street and 125 Maiden Lane ending his career in the esteemed position of Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds of the Cooper Union College in Manhattan. Everyone loved Roger at work. He often mentored and coached junior staff to grow their careers to support families and always guided them with a strong faith and would encourage others to follow God and keep Jesus in their hearts.

As hardworking as he was, sometimes working two or three jobs he always made time for his family. A loving father he chaperoned many school trips and looked forward to vacations and weekend trips to amusement parks, area state parks, and beaches. When he had grandkids, he spent almost every weekend taking them to amusement rides and water parks. Day trips to Buddies, Action Park, Great Gorge, Sterling Forest, Snug Harbor Children’s museum, Nelly Bly, Liberty Science Center, puppet shows, the zoo, King Richards, and Jungle Larry’s, are just some of his frequent destinations. Even when Roger and his wife Geraldine moved to Florida, grandkids visited for the summers and Papa, as they called him, made plans to have fun.

Their son Michael, who is also a licensed operating engineer following in his father’s footsteps, is married to Serafina Mazzola and they have three children, Roger, Angela, and Salvatore. Their grandson Roger, is also following his Papa’s legacy and employed as a licensed operating engineer, is married to Angela Ingaro and they have two sons, Michael who is two years old and Antonio who was just born on June 29, 2022, making Roger and Geraldine great grandparents for a second time.

Their daughter Annamarie is married to Dominic Bianco and they also have three children, John Roger, Michael, and Dominique. Annamarie has been working remotely here in Naples for the past few months to help her mother with the care for her father throughout his illness and in his last days.

Roger was a man of great faith. He could always be counted on to have a prayer ready for every occasion. He was a big supporter and made numerous donations to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Salesian Missions, St. Jude and many other charitable organizations. Roger served his community as a Eucharistic Minister bringing the holy eucharist to the homebound, sick and elderly. Honored as a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Council 14202, Roger served many events with the 4th Degree Assembly 3094. Often inspired by the Holy Spirit, Roger saw the good in all people.

He is survived by his wife Geraldine Tooze (nee Casale), two children, Michael and Annamarie, six grandchildren, Roger, John, Angela, Michael, Dominique and Salvatore, and two great grandchildren, Michael and Antonio, two sisters Patricia (Pat) Hughes and Helen Tooze, four brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, and a myriad of nieces and nephews.

Preceded in heaven by his parents Edward and Helen Tooze (nee Case), two brothers, Edward and John Tooze, and many friends and family to welcome him home into God’s kingdom.