Obituary of Dr. Roger D. Moore

Roger Dady Moore

Dr. Roger Moore, family physician, award-winning artist, humanitarian, musician, supporter of the arts, teacher, administrator, author, poet and activist died at his home in the village of Clinton, NY on Feb. 11, 2025.  A man of strong principles, his passion, drive and brilliant mind were admired by all who tried to keep up with him, and his matchless sense of humor was ever-present. Roger was a beloved husband and father who devoted his life to healing others. He finally succumbed to pancreatic cancer at age 94.  

Roger Moore was born on May 6, 1930, in Cazenovia, New York, the youngest of five children of Walter and Irene (Dady) Moore. Together with his siblings, Roger helped his parents operate their dairy, fruit and vegetable farm, which instilled in him a lifelong love of working the land.

Roger attended public schools in Cazenovia, New York where he played varsity football, basketball and baseball. He majored in Fine Arts at Syracuse University, but his studies were interrupted when he was drafted to serve in the army during the Korean Conflict. As a corporal in Korea, he patrolled the 38^th parallel and worked as a radio and switchboard operator. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon with accompanying citation which states: “meritorious service” and “devotion to duty” have “earned him the praise and admiration from his associates, superiors and subordinates alike.” During his time in Korea, he witnessed numerous instances of suffering and hardship that led him to change direction and pursue a career in medicine.    

Upon his return to the U.S, he continued his education at Syracuse University where he completed his pre-med course requirements in two years, and then was accepted into the State University of New York College of Medicine in Syracuse.  He graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1960.

Roger met his wife, Joanna LaFaro, at Syracuse University, and they were married on August 25^th, 1956. They moved to Clinton, New York in 1962, where they bought a house in which they established an office for Dr. Moore’s medical practice and raised their six children. He was a dedicated family doctor, making house calls and treating patients at any hour for over 40 years, earning him the respect and affection of the entire local community. He helped establish the Family Practice Residency Program at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital. Roger also served as physician to the Clinton Central School and for a time provided medical services for Hamilton College.  

Roger was an exemplary humanitarian. His volunteer work included serving as Medical Director at Abraham House in Utica, a home for end-of-life care. Also, for years Roger harvested produce from his large garden with his daughter Elizabeth, which they brought to neighbors and charities. He made weekly deliveries of sweet corn to Hope House, a daytime shelter and soup kitchen which serves the homeless and needy.  Other charitable works include weekly health clinics as sole physician for local migrant workers, and his time as a physician at Indian Health Service in Sisseton, South Dakota.  

As an activist, he courageously advocated for various causes over the years including civil rights, women’s rights and the pro-life movement.

Roger’s not-for-profit leadership roles include:  President of the Utica Opera Guild, co-founder and President of the Clinton Symphony, and board member of the Clinton Foundation. Roger was also a member of the St. Mary’s Church choir in Clinton for over 60 years and taught high school religious educational classes for decades.

He was a longtime member of The Little Thinkers, an intellectual discussion group, and an avid bridge player. He loved treating others to dinners at his home or at area restaurants and hosted gatherings of his extended family. He was also the principal organizer of many of his college and high school class reunions.

Besides his administrative role at the Utica Opera Guild, Roger performed lead roles in many of its productions.  He also designed and built numerous sets for the company and other theater groups.  In 1979 and 1980, Roger performed in, and served as set designer for, several stage productions which involved his entire family. These included Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” and “Ruddigore.”  Roger’s musical talents also included playing the trumpet, violin and harmonica.

An award-winning and prolific artist, Roger’s painting career spanned over 70 years. His work has been lauded for its painterly style and luminous colors depicting the landscapes of his native central New York. His great skill was also apparent in the thousands of original watercolor Christmas cards produced over the years depicting the winter beauty of the central New York landscape.

His oil paintings are part of numerous permanent gallery collections, including the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute (now Munson) in Utica, NY, and his stained-glass works grace several buildings in Clinton. Together with his wife Joanna, Roger opened Gallery North in Clinton in 2004. Roger’s work has been showcased in multiple solo and juried art exhibitions.

In 2010, he published a collection of his poems, and in 2023 a book of his life experiences entitled “Stories of a Family Doctor.”

Roger is survived by his children Walter (Cheryl) Moore, Helen Moore, Ruth Moore (Mark Wilson), Ben Moore (Brian Zeger), Maria (Joseph) Hayden, and Elizabeth Moore; ten grandchildren – Bridgette Moore Stone (Hedley) and Brendan Moore; Alex, Matthew and Thomas Wilson; John Paul, Dianna, Jeffrey, James and Joseph Hayden; brother Walter Moore of Cazenovia, NY; sister Helen Breitbeck of Oswego, NY; and 16 nieces and nephews.  Roger’s beloved wife Joanna, sister Jeanne Cordts, and brother James Moore predeceased him.

Roger has donated his body to SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY. A memorial mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Marvin Street, Clinton, NY, 13323) on Wednesday February 19^th, 2025, at 10am. Calling hours will be at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service (35 College Street, Clinton, NY, 13323) on Tuesday February 18^th from 4-7pm.

Please consider donations to the following organizations:

Medical Mission Sisters, 8400 Pine Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19111 ww.medicalmissionsisters.org 

Abraham House, 1203 Kemble St. Utica, NY  13501, www.theabrahamhouse.org  

Hospice & Palliative Care, www.hospicecareinc.org

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