Roger Joseph Dorcy Jr. died Feb. 6 at his home in Auburn, N.Y., surrounded by his family and friends, after persevering through a prolonged illness.

He was born Feb. 7, 1930, in Butler.

After a successful academic and athletic career at Penn State University, Joe went on to play semi-pro baseball and then pursued several successful careers, working as a chemical engineer, a vice president of marketing for GTE Sylvania and North American Philips, based in Seneca Falls, N.Y., and a computer programmer for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rochester, N.Y.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 990, Emporium, Pa., for more than 50 years.

Joe is survived by his wife of 54 years, Margaret; his six children, Daniel and Linda Dorcy of California, Catherine and Fred Lang of Auburn, Mary Williamson of Wisconsin, Virginia Dorcy of Auburn, Kenneth and Pat Dorcy of North Carolina and Robert Dorcy and Greg Runey of New York; five grandsons; five granddaughters; a great-grandson; and his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Jean Dorcy of Michigan.

Joe is remembered for his love, passion for life, perseverance, humility and sense of humor. His love of God, family, learning and athletics was expressed in his many and varied contributions to his church, family and community over his lifetime.

<B>DORCY</B> — Private services for Roger Joseph Dorcy Jr., who died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, were held at Farrell's Funeral Home<B> </B>and the Holy Family Catholic Church in Auburn and at <B>Brenda D. Shumaker Funeral Home </B>and Immaculate Conception Church in Brookville. Burial was at St. Mary's Cemetery, Brookville.We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported our efforts to care for Joe at home through his prolonged illness. The family encourages contributions in Joe's memory to Hospice of the Finger Lakes and Holy Family Church, Auburn, N.Y.