Roger J. Aubin

Roger J. Aubin, 82, husband of Patricia Ann (Murphy) Aubin, and beloved father of six children, died on May 23, 2012, at home in Portsmouth, RI, after a long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A long-time resident of Aquidneck Island - Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth - Aubin was a teacher, administrator, and State Department of Education official.He was born in Lowell, MA, on October 28, 1929, to Charles J. Aubin and Agnes C. (Ouellette) Aubin. His family relocated to Newport, RI, when he was just 3 months old. He lived a full life, competing in sports, serving in numerous roles in the Newport and R.I. state education community, and supporting and enjoying a large and loving family.A talented tennis player, he won the Newport City Tennis Tournament in August 1942. He is a 1947 graduate of Rogers High School, where he led the Tennis Team to the State Championship. He continued to play tennis in city tournaments throughout the 1950's, often partnering with his brother, Charles, in doubles matches.Upon graduation from Rogers High School, he entered the Lyndon Institute in Lyndon Center, VT, where he pursued college preparatory studies and played on the school's basketball team. He then enrolled in the University of Vermont, studying pre-medicine, before transferring to Providence College to pursue his calling in education. Aubin was the president of the Student Congress and also a member of the Providence College basketball team. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education in 1953. Following college, he entered Georgetown University Law School, where he studied Law for one year.Returning to Newport, he began his education career in 1955 at Rogers High School where he taught English. In 1962, he became the faculty advisor to the school's senior class and the student-produced Red Black magazine. In 1966, he was elected chairman of the County Curriculum Study Committee. He also led negotiations with the Newport School Committee in 1967 on behalf of the Newport Teacher's Union. The union was seeking increased salaries and improved working conditions.During his tenure at Rogers High School, he completed a Master's Degree in Administration from Rhode Island College.In 1968, he became Vice Principal of Tiverton High School, in Tiverton, RI. He served in that position until joining the Rhode Island State Department of Education in 1972 as a certification specialist. He remained with the State Department of Education until his retirement in 1987.In the 1970's he was active in the Rogers High Boosters Club and served as its president in 1977. He also served on the Board of the Salvation Army for 10 years.From the 1970's until the 1990's, he was on the adjunct faculties of Providence College, Salve Regina College, Roger Williams University, and Bristol Community College. He taught courses ranging from English to School Discipline.He was a long-time parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Newport and, more recently, St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth.He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Ann (Murphy), his six children: son, Stephen, and his wife, Cheryl (Somers), and grandson, Charles, of Vienna, VA; son, Michael, and his wife, Sally (Holmes), and granddaughters Marisa and Shelby, of Needham, MA; daughter, Lisa (Aubin) Murphy, and her husband, Robert, and grandchildren Keelan, Katherine, and Matthew, of Portsmouth, RI; daughter, Laura (Aubin) O'Toole, and her husband, Dan, and grandchildren Emily, Audrey, Will, and J.D., of Hingham, MA; daughter, Stacey (Aubin) DiCroce, and her husband, Anthony, and grandchildren Marc, Justin, and Ariana, of Manchester by the Sea, MA; and son, Paul, and his wife, Audra (Sgueglia), and granddaughters Olivia and Ashley, of Ashburn, VA. He is also survived by his niece, Patricia Aubin, of Watertown, MA, and her family.Calling hours will be Friday May 25 2012 from 4-8pm in the Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI.His funeral service will be held Saturday May 26, 2012 at 11am from the Memorial Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12pm in St. Barnabas Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.Burial will be in St Columba Cemetery Browns Lane Middletown, RIMemorial donations may be made to St Barnabas Church Building Fund 1697 East Main Rd Portsmouth, RI 02871. Cemetery Details St. Columba Catholic Cemetery Brown's Lane Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation MAY 25. 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service MAY 26. 12:00 PM St. Barnabas 1697 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871