Roger W. Woodruff

HOLDEN – Roger W. Woodruff, 88, beloved husband of Joyce (Schermerhorn) Woodruff, passed away peacefully at his home in Holden after a battle with Alzheimer's Disease in the early morning hours of September 1st. He was born on May 15, 1937, to the late Preston and Hetty Woodruff of Schenectady, New York.

A devoted husband, loving father and family man, and brilliant engineer, Roger found joy in both life’s major events and everyday, pedestrian moments. He spent most of his adult life in Holden, raising two sons with his wife Joyce. Thoughtful and well-read, Roger enjoyed the outdoors, reading, and discussing a wide range of history, philosophy, and theology. His curious mind led him to lifelong faith and active involvement in local church communities. He loved the Red Sox. His family spent as much summer time as possible in Ogunquit, Maine, where he and Joyce lived seasonally in retirement.

Roger was raised in Colonie, NY, by Preston and Hetty Woodruff. He met Joyce in high school, at first mistakenly taking her queries about history homework at face value. They began dating when the two worked on the junior prom committee together. Roger attended Alfred University in New York, earning a bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering. He and Joyce were married in 1957 and then moved to Pittsburgh, PA, for Roger’s first engineering job at Harbison-Walker. Their two sons, Dennis and Jeffery, were born in Pittsburgh before the family moved to Holden for a new job at Norton Company in Worcester. He spent the bulk of his career as a ceramic engineer, working at times in research and development, and also as Manufacturing Engineer at Plant 1. His work led to the award of four patents in industrial ceramics.

Roger will be lovingly missed and remembered by his wife of 68 years, Joyce Woodruff of Holden, son Dennis Woodruff and daughter-in-law Meg Woodruff of Rutland; grandson Jacob Woodruff and wife Aisha Woodruff; granddaughter Elizabeth Woodruff and husband Andrew Gary; granddaughter Anna Woodruff Roubos; and five great-grandchildren, Nora and Samuel Woodruff-Gary, Theodora and James Roubos, and Kaia Woodruff.

Many thanks to the staff at VNA Hospice and VNA At Home for their care of Roger and support of his family during his last months.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Miles Funeral Home. Roger’s funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Bible Chapel in Princeton.