Joseph (Gie) Hurlburt Rogers

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, in Queen Elizabeth Hospital ICU, surrounded by his family, Gie sailed into his next adventure.

Gie was raised, and attended school, in Richmond Hill, ON. He played tenor sax in the school band and was a keen athlete, participating in intermural football as well as track and field. A severe knee injury during a game led to less strenuous pursuits.

Graduating from Langstaff Secondary school in 1973, as an Ontario Scholar, he pursued computer engineering and was a graduate of the first class of System Design Engineering at University of Waterloo in 1979.

He spent his early career creating systems at Stelco in Hamilton. Always curious, and learning, he also earned his MBA from McMaster University during those years. After retiring from Stelco, he worked in the robotics field and later went on to run his own consulting firm in Hamilton. In 2013, he accepted a position with CGI in Charlottetown, PEI where he worked until his retirement in 2019.

During his time in Hamilton, he was an avid sailor and camper with family and a group of lifelong friends. He started curling with his wife, Nancy, in 2010, and after the move to Prince Edward Island became very involved with the PEI Special Olympics program.

He had a deep love, and extensive collection, of music, especially jazz. Winter Jazz events at The Pour House were some of his favourite occasions. He was an avid home cook, and his Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham and split pea soup will be sorely missed by his family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph Rees Rogers and Margaret Alice Hurlburt, and is survived by his wife and partner of 15 years, Nancy MacPhee; sons, Meyer Rees Rogers, Toronto, Ethan Lewis Rogers (Sydney Shilling), Toronto; sister, Marg Rogers, Spokane WA; nephews Rob Downing, Spokane, WA and Chris Downing , Seattle, WA; many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins in the extended Hurlburt, White, Ger, MacPhee, Bushell, Doane, Boodoosingh families.

The family would like to express sincere thanks for the incredibly kind and compassionate care Gie received at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Intensive Care Unit #1.

A celebration of life to be held at a later date.  Memorial donations suggested to PEI Special Olympics, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the charity of your choice.