Roger E. Wilder, 83, died peacefully at home on April 22nd which would have been his 59th wedding anniversary, 4 days after the passing of his daughter, Heidi and 3 ½ years after his loving wife Arline.

Roger was born in Worcester on Easter Sunday, March 27th and was the son of the late Lillian and Eugene Wilder. Roger graduated from Worcester Boy’s Trade High School, Fitchburg State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education and his master’s degree from Worcester State University. Roger was an Industrial Arts teacher in Auburn and then taught and was Department Head at Natick High School for over 30 years.

Roger was named by the Massachusetts Industrial Education Society as the East Central Massachusetts Industrial Arts Teachers Assocation’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1974 and always had a passion for teaching.

Roger was a member of the Carpenters Union, Local 475 and was part of the “playhouse” group who built a playhouse a year for charity.

Roger also was a member of the Millbury Lion’s Foundation, the Charles F. Minney VFW Post and the Dudley Gendron American Legion Post in Sutton, the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter # 4 in Worcester and several other organizations.

Roger is survived by his loving and devoted family, 3 daughters Lorna Wilder of Millbury, Pennie Losanno and her husband, Victor of Holliston and Gina Wilder and her boyfriend Mike Dresser of Douglas, 3 grandsons, Brett S. Wilder and his girlfriend Katie Luby and their family dog Sampson of Millbury, Jamie and Christopher Losanno of Holliston, 2 granddaughters Brittany and Miranda Williams of Douglas, brother Howard and his wife Carol of Holyoke, sisters-in-law Virginia Bowness of Millbury and Linda Loiselle of Webster. Roger is predeceased by his loving wife Arline, his daughter, Heidi, grandson Shane Wilder, brother-in-law, David White, nephew Todd Bowness, sister-in-law Ebba Wilder, brother-in-law, Paul Loiselle. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins and lots of friends.

Roger was most proud of his 4 girls, his grandsons and granddaughters and always encouraged them to do their best every day and treat everyone as you would want to be treated. Roger was a very proud veteran and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Roger’s calling hours are 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26th in Mulhane Home for Funerals 45 Main St. in Millbury. A funeral service will be held Monday, April 27th at 10 a.m. in the First Congregational Church, 148 West Main St. in Millbury. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. The Millbury Lions Foundation will conduct a prayer service at 6 p.m. Sunday, during the calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in memory of Roger to the Wounded Warrior Project, 150 Cambridge Drive, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA 02140.