Roger Richard Roberts, age 88, of Newport died Thursday, August 3, 2017, in Newport, RI. Mr. Roberts was born May 5, 1929, in Fall River, MA, the son of the late James F. and the late Mary (Dooley) Roberts. He was the husband of Cynthia (Andrews) Roberts.

A patriotic and family focused man, Roger worked as a lineman for the electric companies for the majority of his career. He was a very proud member of the IBEW #104 for the last 50 years. He also ran the Bluestone Bed & Breakfast and the reservation service, Bed & Breakfast Newport, with his wife, Cynthia. They were once featured in Yankee Magazine. In his spare time, he enjoyed antiquing with his wife, watching John Wayne films, and rooting for his favorite team, the NE Patriots.

Besides his wife of 68 years, Cynthia, he is survived by his daughter, Deborah Miller and her companion Stephen Barlow of Newport, RI, two sons, William Roberts and his wife Diana of Kerrville, TX and Sean Roberts and his wife Kimberly of Newport, RI, his daughter in law, Becky Roberts, eight grandchildren, Hope Roberts Crain, Todd Preston, Cindy Burg, Allison Miller, Rebecca Cyronek, Molly Roberts, Brody Roberts, Emma Roberts Hernandez, and Jessica Strum, several great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son, Roger R. Roberts, Jr., his daughter, Susan Preston, his brothers, James Roberts, Henry Roberts, and his twin brother Robbie Roberts.

His funeral services will be private.

Memorial donations in his memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson Foundation, Donation Processing , P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What'sUpNewp.  He has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the boards of Fort Adams Trust, Lucy's Hearth, and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.

In 2020, he was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County's Dominque Award.

He is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, the Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, he spent 39 years living in Rhode Island before recently moving to Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife and two rescue dogs. He still considers Rhode Island home, and visits at least once a month.