Submitted by Al Miller and Sandy Cook

Hockey fans, we are coming together tonight prior to our game to honour Roger Dubielewicz who sadly passed away last week. 

A husband, father, grandfather, community man, hockey supporter, CV Rockies board member, and a legend in the Columbia Valley selling 50/50 tickets. Roger’s continued guidance throughout the years with the Rockies organization has been incredible. There have been many different club executives, board members, volunteers, coaches, trainers and players that came and went here at the Eddie Mountain Arena, but Roger was the constant, always here and available. Sharing advice or some of his past history of the Rockies was invaluable. Supporting youth was just part of his DNA. And how thankful we are, for his commitment to hockey and sport in general. 

In his later years he also lent a hand to the good folks at the thrift store helping them sort and carry the heavy loads. And I know they were very thankful for his help. 

We reached out to a close friend who volunteered with Roger over the years to tell her story. Have a listen. 

What can I say about Roger that hasn’t been said or thought about many times since his untimely passing? I’ve known Roger for over 30 years, and have had the honor of being his sidekick on many of his fundraising projects. Many years ago, the Rockies minor hockey and the figure skating clubs were involved in a huge concert called the Boogie Bash. Roger was part of us that slung beer/drinks long into the night. Also helping out doing set up and take down, cleaning up and numerous other jobs. He was on the Rockies executive and many committees over the years. And of course he did 50/50 for all the Rockies games. (He did let me do one for him when he went to watch Wade play…I was honored). Bull Busting, Pond Hockey, Minor Hockey Provincials, home tournaments and random games. He even did a Junior B Ice game 50/50 that was held in Invermere. 

I was privileged to have been his assistant seller for 21 Bull Bustings. I can’t say there will be a 22 for me, as I just can’t imagine doing it without him there. Never in 21 years did I have to wonder if the tickets would be ready for me when I got there. He always had them counted, ripped and ready to go. It was very hard to say no to him when he was out there selling. He was a huge presence and didn’t even have to open his mouth. People just knew they were buying from him.

We had a friendly competition to see who was going to sell the winning ticket. I was ahead for a while, but he passed me by a mile. On Rockies game nights, he had the time/scorekeepers, goal judges, penalty box keepers, announcers, etc. all lined up before the game started. Sometimes he scrambled to just the last minute, but always got it done. It was a thankless job to say the least. As a score keeper, he had the time sheets all written up ready to go, and the game pucks in the bucket, frozen and ready to go. He quite often gave a little spectator money to enter the puck toss out of the goodness of his Huge Heart. And after the games, he took care of faxing the game sheets to where they needed to go. Roger also videotaped many minor hockey games during Provincials and Tournaments etc. 

Roger played a big part in putting on some of our Alumni gatherings and events. Helping with collecting door prizes, helping out with organizing dances and dinners to host our Alumni. Most Rockies Alumni have fond memories and thoughts of the Rockies. And it was he who made many of them feel at home and special. He made a huge impact on those players, and if you look at social media, many of them have commented on this. 

His involvement with all the clubs, he did because he loved to help and knew what needed to be done. He rolled up his sleeves and helped where and when he could without needing any recognition or praise. Never did he expect anything, and did all of this silently with a big grin on his face and a sparkle in his eye. From his career side, he was a well-loved employee and CPR Boss. And not many, if any of his CPR family had a bad word to say about him, as he also never had a bad word to say about anyone else. 

He was a well-known face at local garage sales on weekends, and always had an eye for that special treasure. And the lottery outlets all had a special place for him in the ticket line ups, and will miss him terribly, I have been told. 

Some people leave a hole in your heart when they go and I for one, will forever have the “Roger Hole.” It goes without saying my last words to my friend… “if you get there” before me, make sure the tickets are ripped and ready to go, just in case you get busy and forget”(yeah right). Rest in Peace my friend. 

Thank you Sandy Cook for your memories of Roger. So, as you have heard we have lost a true gentleman, family man, great volunteer, and all around community champion. But let’s not leave this tribute in a sad way. We were privileged to have known Roger. We were always happy to share a french fry or two with him with that sparkle in his eye, to discuss a great play or referee call, good or possibly bad. It was a true pleasure volunteering with him. 

To the Dubielewicz family, thank you for allowing and sharing Roger with us. He has made a difference in all who knew him. We are forever grateful.

Love, the Rockies Family.