Roger Barrington Williams. BA, MA,
December 2, 1961 – April 23, 2019
Athlete, performer, photographer, educator, coach, mentor, friend, son, writer, producer, consultant.
Roger was born in Kingston, Jamaica and was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He attended Silver Heights Collegiate High School, and obtained a B.A at the University of Manitoba in Advanced Sociology.
Shortly after graduation he studied classical Ballet at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and also joined the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers. He attended the University of Western Ontario and eventually obtained a Masters degree in Physical Education from the University of Alberta with graduate courses in physical education, adult education, and sociology, served as an Instructor in four undergraduate courses and worked as a consultant in special events, mental skills and marketing with the NHL Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Eskimos.
After graduation Roger came to the Vancouver area and was employed at Douglas College in New Westminster and Coquitlam as an instructor in Sports Science. He was on the sales staff at Harry Rosen in Vancouver for a number of years and he also attended the Vancouver Film School for a year.
Roger established his own consulting firm, Session Group- Session Management - as a Talent Agent representing actors and models for 30 years in places like Milan, New York, Winnipeg and Vancouver. He enjoyed his appearances on television as a men’s fashion expert with Breakfast Television Global Vancouver BC. He founded Session Media where he was a writer and producer and planned to develop feature films, short films, and television pilots. He was multitalented and was a photographer and videographer, with his photographs published in Milan, Italy and Canada. He also designed menswear through his company, RW Apparel. He was publisher/editor for Session Life Mag Men’s Online Lifestyle Magazine
In sports, he was an athlete, Water Polo coach, referee, and coaching course facilitator. During the past number of years he developed an interest in Arts learning how to draw, design and rekindling his love for singing.
Roger was initiating a local swimming program called the Rangers to encourage young immigrant and underprivileged children to learn to swim and play water polo. There were also plans to develop a Hyacks water polo program in New Westminster.
Roger passed away from complications from Diabetes and Heart Disease.
He leaves behind his devoted mother - Loretta Joyce Graham Fogwill (Douglas) - Winnipeg, loving father Alwyn Williams (Doreen) - Winnipeg, brother Wade (Mary) and Alex - Australia, loving Aunties: Norma Miller - Florida, Marcia Simpson & family and Sharon - Toronto.
Roger’s family also wishes to thank sincerely his devoted friends- Patrick, Jamie, Stephen, Edith and Mitch for their kindness and support during the past more difficult times.
Roger’s family also wishes to thank the staff who attended to his care at the Royal Columbia Hospital and to Dr. Fraser Norrie for their devoted and constant care of their loved one.
A Visitation for Roger will take place on Wednesday, May 1st at 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Columbia-Bowell Chapel, 219 6th Street, New Westminster, followed by A Celebration of Life on Thursday, May 2nd, 2019. from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Reception to follow immediately after the service.
His family asks that any one wishing to make Donations in Roger’s memory please do to any of the following organizations:
The Burnaby Water Polo Club, P.O. Box 50039-South Slope RPR
Burnaby B.C. V5J 5G3
The British Columbia Water Polo Association
125-Ste 150- 11820 River Road, Richmond B.C. V6X 1Z7
The Canadian Red Cross-Health Equipment Loan Program
105-7355 Canada Way, Burnaby B.C V3N 426
Union Gospel Mission - New Westminster Resource Centre location
601 East Hastings, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1J7