LEAKESVILLE, MISSIPPI: Mark W. “Red” Roper, Sr., age 90, a member of a prominent family of florists and a former longtime resident of Tewksbury, died Monday, February, 6, 2006 at the Brookwood Manor Nursing Home in Leakesville, MS.
Born in Tewksbury, MA on November 20, 1915, he was the son of the late Mark and Mary I. (McCoy) Roper.
Mr. Roper was raised in Tewksbury.
He attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Lowell High School in 1933.
Mr. Roper later attended New Hampton Preparatory School in New Hampshire and graduated in 1936.
Following graduation from New Hampton Prep, he attended the University of New Hampshire.
Mr. Roper served during World War II in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Laws. He was awarded several decorations including the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal with six Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two Stars and the American Theatre Medal.
Prior to his retirement in 1979, he was employed for 24 years by the Tewksbury Water Department. Mr. Roper previously worked for Mark Roper & Sons, Inc. a Tewksbury wholesale carnation grower, which was founded by his grandfather in 1893.
During his retirement years, he operated a farm stand on Pleasant Street in Tewksbury, providing fresh vegetables and corn to local townsfolk.
In 1989, he moved to Lucedale, MS to reside with his late son and his family.
Mr. Roper was a member of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks # 2070 and the Wamesit Masonic Lodge AF & AM of Tewksbury.
He enjoyed deer and bird hunting.
He is survived by two daughters; Charlotte Gilbride of Kennebunkport, ME and Janice C. Connolly and her husband Jack of Bellingham; one son; Richard D. Roper of Westford; his daughter-in-law; Billie H. Roper, with whom he resided for the past 17 years, of Lucedale, MS; one brother; William Roper and his wife Isabelle G. (Chandler) of Tewksbury; twenty-one grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren; also many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Mr. Roper was the father of the late Mark W. “Butch” Roper, Jr., brother of the late Grace Marion, Bernice Treadwell, Irene Manley, Albert and James Roper and former husband of the late Mildred A. (Felton).
Calling hours Thursday, February 9th, 4-8 p.m.,(Masonic Service @ 7:30 p.m.) at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Service Friday, February 10th , at 10 a.m., at the funeral home. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery.