Obituary: Rodger Jon Addil, 72, formerly of Orange

ORANGE, CT - (From Cody-White Funeral Home) Rodger Jon Addil, 72, of Beacon Falls (formerly of Orange), passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on December 8, 2020 from complications of COVID- 19.

Beloved husband of Marcia (Hathaway) Addil for 38 years, he was born in New Haven on March 19, 1948, son of Hope Hamilton Addil of Ocala, FL and the late Roger Addil.

Rodger’s life was dedicated to public service and volunteerism. He graduated Amity High school in 1966 and attended Defiance College and the University of New Haven majoring in law enforcement.

He joined the Orange Department of Police Services in 1971 as a supernumerary officer and in 1972 was sworn in as a regular full time officer, then detective.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1985 and Lieutenant in 1991. At the time of his retirement in 2000 he was Commander of the Investigative Services Unit.

He proudly served the citizens of Orange as a law enforcement officer for 28 years and received several departmental awards including a Letter of Commendation for his role in a homicide investigation. His professional affiliations during this time included the Police Benevolent Association and Town of Orange Pension Board.

Donning yet another uniform, Rodger also served as a member of the Orange Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years as a trained firefighter and truck engineer.

His unselfish commitment to community is evidenced by his involvement in both the police and fire services.

Upon retirement, Rodger sought a second career, also in the fire service, as a full time materials manager for 14 years with the Gowans-Knight Company where custom fire apparatus are built. Although he retired from there in 2014, the GK family kept him busy there part-time until his illness.

Two uniforms were not enough for Rodger. From the time he was a young boy he was always interested in railroads, model railroading, and trolleys.

He became interested in the Shore Line Trolley Museum as a young lad, his grandfather being a founding member there after retiring as a motorman for the Connecticut Company.

In recent years Rodger served the museum, again as a volunteer, on the Board of Trustees, as Director of Motorman Training, and also doing what he loved best, in uniform as a trolley motorman.

He was part of the weekly line gang at the museum with his friends George, Bill, Rob and Les as they busied themselves setting poles, laying track, replacing switches and working on overhead wires.

Rodger and Marcia loved to travel by car throughout the United States visiting places of historical and national significance, many in the national park system.

Rodg loved Civil War history and railroad history and highlights of some of their trips included the Illinois Railroad Museum, seeing The General, a famous engine involved in the great locomotive chase in the Civil war in 1862, and watching trains crossing at Harpers Ferry.

As a railfan, he never missed an opportunity to stop and watch a train pass by. For several years Rodger has been building an extensive model railroad layout, a hobby that he loved.

Rodger, a Mason, was also a 46 year member of Ansantawae Lodge #89.

He was a mentor to many, always willing to impart his knowledge, whether on lawn care (about which he was obsessive), some little known historical fact about an icehouse (which subsequently earned him that nickname) or instructions on how to make a great martini. Bellying up to his bar always resulted in great drinks and great conversations with friends.

Along with his wife, Rodger is survived by his beloved daughter, Amy (Bobby) Amarone and two grandchildren Mackenzie and Madison that he adored.

Countless hours were spent babysitting and playing legos and blocks with the girls who called him Pop. He will also be greatly missed by his brother-in-law and friend, Neil (Wendy) Hathaway as they worked together as police officers and at GK, nephew Robb and niece Corey, extended family and innumerable friends.

He was predeceased by his friend of over 40 years, Les Abrams, with whom he undertook countless projects over the years for both of their families, the trolley museum, and many others. They were a super team that could accomplish anything together.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Infant Church, 450 Racebrook Rd., Orange (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH).

Only 100 people are allowed inside the church at once due to gathering restrictions and masks will be required. Interment will be private.

Friends and family may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at the Cody-White Funeral Home, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT. Due to gathering restrictions, only 25 people will be allowed inside at a time.

Masks will be required and social distancing will be enforced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St, East Haven, CT 06512.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rodger Jon Addil, please visit our floral store.