Roger George Acra, 76, passed away peacefully Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, after a long and courageous battle with heart disease, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on June 29, 1937, in Jerusalem, the son of George and Eleanore Acra. In 1956 Roger moved to the United States to attend college. After meeting at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Roger was united in marriage to the love of his life, Muriel Joyce Swanson, on March 22, 1958. They made their home in Milwaukee, where he worked for Phenix Garage Doors as a cost accountant. In 1966 they were relocated to Shawano. In 1996, Roger began working as the human resources and safety manager for Marion Plywood, where he was deeply respected and appreciated for his keen business sense. He continued there until his retirement. It truly was his dream job, and his family will always be grateful for the respect that was shown to him long after he retired.
He was an active member of the Shawano Lions Club, Young Republicans, Republican Party, Police and Fire Commission and County Board, and a well-respected alderman in Shawano for many years. He enjoyed politics at all levels. Roger took pride in gardening and loved being outside in the sunshine with his dog. Midge and Roger enjoyed traveling all over the United States and going “back home” to the Middle East in 1983 to visit family and friends. Though he was proud of his Palestinian roots he was also a proud American who never took for granted the opportunities our beautiful country provided for him and his family. He was a hard worker with an incredible work ethic. Roger was a kind and generous husband, father, grandpa and friend. The greatest joy in his life was making his family, especially his wife, Midge, and others happy. He believed in trying to make this world a better place for all those less fortunate, giving generously to Smile Train in honor of his granddaughter, Lauren, St. Jude Hospital and the Wounded Warrior fund, to name just a few. And even in the end, he continued to think of others by being a tissue donor.
He will be deeply and greatly missed by his loving wife of 56 years, Midge; his children, Stephen (Lisa) Acra, Shawano, Laura (Kevin) Day, Sussex, Lisa (David) Pierre, Appleton, and Christina Acra, Milwaukee; his grandchildren, who loved their grandpa so very much, Samantha Acra, Riley Acra, Alexander Day, Lindsey Day, Katherine (Patrick) Koleske, Lauren Pierre; and one great-grandchild, Sophia Koleske. Roger is further survived by his sisters, Siham (Fuad) Simaan, Amman, Jordan, Aida Kattan, Amman, Jordan; his brother, Oscar Acra, New York; and numerous loving relatives in Milwaukee, the Middle East and all over the world, as well as Midge and Roger’s dear friends, Kathy and Jerry Greenthal. He will be missed by his faithful dog, Amber, whom he spoiled abundantly.
In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bessie and Murrell Swanson; brother-in-law, Abed Kattan; and aunts and uncles who cared for him like a son.
The funeral service will be celebrated on Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, at noon at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 W. Capitol Drive, Brookfield. Friends and family may call from 10 a.m. to noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or Wounded Warriors.
Thank you to the Rev. Luke Ferris of Sacred Heart Parish for helping us during Roger’s final moments on earth. A special thank you to Jody and Jenny Bystol for being there when they were needed the most.
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