Bernard Joseph Rogers

Bernard Joseph Rogers, award-winning publisher and United States Marine Corp. Captain, passed away after a brave, dignified battle with Parkinson’s disease in Highland Beach, FL, at 84 years of age. A mass was held in his honor at Ascension Church in Boca Raton on Aug. 13.
Born in 1931 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, to Bernard Radziewicz and Josephine Dabrowsky, Bernard attended Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary and then Seward Park High School on the lower east side of Manhattan. During his youth he was active in the local Boy’s Club, was president of the Marble Collegiate Church Youth Club and a national swimmer placing third in the Olympic trials. He received a sports scholarship to Long Island University, where he was captain of the swim team for three years, Si Lobello Most Valuable Player, senior class president, member of the Honor Society and the New York Representative to the National Conference of Christian and Jews.
He spent six summers lifeguarding at Rockaway Beach, where he was the youngest ever chief lifeguard.
After university, Bernard joined the New York City Police force based in Harlem and then volunteered to serve in the United States Marine Corp. He attended Officer Training School in Quantico, VA, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, where he proudly coached their undefeated swim team and became Ccptain. He served throughout Europe and in Lebanon.
Following retirement from the military, Bernard embarked on what would become a 45-year career in the medical publishing business. Starting as a sales representative for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, he went on to publish a group of industry-leading journals including Modern Medicine. He remained with these publications through their ownership by the New York Times, Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch and Advanstar.
As president of Health Care Publications at Harcourt Brace and Advanstar, he was a widely respected member of the Health Care community hosting the industry’s leading award ceremony, the Aesculapius Awards, for many years. He continued his position at Quadrant Healthcare before retiring.
While raising his four children in Manhasset, he was an avid tennis competitor at Strathmore Vanderbilt Country Club where he served on the board and as athletic director for many years.
During his retirement, he enjoyed time in Kenmare, County Kerry, Ireland with his wife Margaret O’Shea with whom he shared 63 years.
Along with his wife, Bernard is survived by his children, Michael, Eileen Seery, Elizabeth Barrowcliffe and Julie Blandford, as well as his 15 grandchildren and his sisters Ann Fitten and Joan Moore. He was a wonderful father and grandfather. His accomplishments, loyalty and work ethic will remain an inspiration to us all.
His contribution to the University of Miami Brain Endowment Bank will hopefully affect developments in finding a cure for neurological disease. Memorial services will be held in New York this fall.
Condolences can be sent c/o Glick Funeral home 3600 North Federal Highway Boca Raton, FL, 33431 or at www.glickfamilyfuneralhome.com.