Obituary of Roger J. Dusharm

COLTON -- A Celebration of Life Service for Roger J. Dusharm, age 75, will be held Monday at 4 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Colton with Rev. Raymond Moreau presiding. A social gathering and light fare will follow the service at the parish center. Family and friends may call at the Buck Funeral Home in Colton on Monday from 1 – 3:30 p.m. After a long illness, Mr. Dusharm passed away Thursday morning at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. Roger is survived by his wife of 22 years, Cynthia, Colton; two sons, Darren and Pam Dusharm, Hudson, NY and Doug Dusharm and Toma Thomas, Pawtucket, RI; two stepsons, Brooke and Gina Coburn, Washington, DC and Jesse and Sarah Coburn, Canton; seven grandchildren, one great granddaughter, many nieces and nephews and a sister, Nancy and Gary Williams, Harrisville. Roger was predeceased by a sister Deanna LeBeau and his first wife of 31 years, Linda (Brown) Dusharm. Born in Edwards, NY on August 11, 1942 as the second child to the late Hiram and Frances French Dusharm, Roger graduated from Edwards Central School in 1960 where he was an accomplished scholar-athlete, lettering in varsity baseball, basketball and soccer, and was ultimately inducted into the Edwards-Knox Athletic Hall of Fame. He completed his undergraduate and graduate education at SUNY Potsdam, majoring in Science and Math, while earning both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees. At the collegiate level Roger was a two-sport athlete, playing both soccer and baseball, where he was also inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Following graduation, Roger accepted a teaching position at Canton Central School, where he remained for 35 years. Well respected as both a teacher and coach, he taught 8th grade science and summer school chemistry and health. Roger joined the coaching ranks at Canton, coaching both JV boys Basketball and Varsity Soccer for over three decades. During his tenure he is credited with founding both the Canton Pee-Wee and High School Soccer programs. His soccer teams posted an overall record of 406-139-52 and included 11 league championships, 19 Section X championships, and ten intersectional championships. His teams also included five New York State semifinalists, two New York State finalists, and one New York State Champion. As a result of his success on the sideline Roger was inducted into both the Canton Golden Bear Hall of Fame and the NYSHSSCA Hall of Fame, and he was recognized as the Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association in 1994. Roger's coaching legacy continues to impact generations of Canton soccer players as, since 2001, all home varsity games are now played at Roger Dusharm Field. In retirement, Roger continued his connection to sports. He was a competitive golfer, a dedicated New York Mets fan, helped start the Potsdam Humane Society Golf Tournament, and was a mainstay of the ticket crew at seasonal Section X playoff events. He was also an avid reader and enjoyed relaxing on the river with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial donations in Roger's memory to the Potsdam Humane Society or to the Colton Hepburn Library. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com.