Roger Heroux Has Died

A huge loss for the homeless and less fortunate in Santa Barbara. And all of us who have worked, and volunteered with him.
He had the most beautiful smile. I never saw him without it. I hope people follow the instructions of the family.
The family is asking that a donation be made to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission and/or to the Casa Esperanza Homeless Center.
This would make Roger smile from ear to ear. Even in death, he is still making a difference for so many.
Roger you will be missed... <3

Kitti

Roger was one of the finest people I have ever known.
Jan Winter

Roger was a bulwark in this community. His sweet nature and amazing way of getting diverse groups to work together are legend. He will be missed.

I was fortunate to know and work closely with Roger for many years. His leadership and dedication to his beliefs was unparalleled. While most will remember him specifically for his commitment to the poor and homeless, I want to laud him for championing the appropriate use of funds garnered from the lawsuit against the tobacco industry. Due to his courage and collaborative efforts, Santa Barbara County has one of the best records in the state and nation, for its use of the funding it receives annually from the lawsuit's settlement. Locally these funds (roughly 4 million dollars a year) are spent eclusively to address local health care priorities, including tobacco pervention and control. Many hearts are heavy with grief as we mourn Roger's passing, but his enduring legacy lives on in our community.

Roger has had a profoundly beneficial impact on our community and on the lives of those who had the good fortune to be touched by him and his many good works. May his legacy of compassionate commitment to the less fortunate among us long endure and inspire many others to continue and extend his efforts.

Roger became Board President of Hospice of Santa Barbara in April 2008. We all knew him to be such an intelligent, skilled and deeply caring human being -- someone who embodied the meaning of the phrase "gifted public servant." As the incoming Executive Director that fall, he and I were looking forward to working closely together to serve the community. I loved hearing him talk about growing up in a French speaking family in New England, where his life had taken him and what his faith meant to him. Like so many in our community, we have all been so sad to lose him to this illness. Roger was a beautiful man who let God's light shine through his life and his works, and we have all been blessed.

In working in the homeless community with Roger, I felt like I was crossing paths with an angel. Sitting with him during one of his Chemo therapy sessions, taught me what me what real faith and courage look like.
His passion and kindness in action are humbleing, and he inspired me to want to be a better person. Thank you Roger for all the gifts you did not know you gave to so many of us. I really missed you at Project Healthy Neigbors this year, and I will never look at the backpacks or the shoes we give out, without feeling you there. Blessings Jan

Not mentioned above was Roger's early career as a community organizer in Guadalupe and as the executive director of the Community Action Commission in the '70s. Despite his stutter, Roger could give 'em hell with the best of them. We'll miss you, dear friend.

Carmen Lodise