Gaylen Lawrence Roffers

August 11, 1930  –  June 25, 2026

With profound sadness and immeasurable gratitude for a life so beautifully lived, we announce the passing of Gaylen Lawrence Roffers, who entered into eternal rest on June 25, 2026, at the age of 95.

Born on August 11, 1930, to Lawrence Henry and Alice Marie (nee Peshek) Roffers, Gaylen “Gay” learned the value of hard work, humility, and service at an early age. By just eight years old, he was helping his father build homes—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for carpentry, woodworking, plastering and creating with his hands. Through determination, learning from skilled professionals and countless hours of self-teaching, he became an extraordinarily skilled craftsman whose work can still be found in the homes and furniture he lovingly built for family, friends, and neighbors.

Gay graduated from Messmer High School before proudly serving his country during the Korean War. Always carrying with him the same sense of duty and quiet strength that defined every chapter of his life.

In 1954, he married the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” (nee Hotz). They shared 62 years of marriage prior to Pat’s passing in 2016. They built a beautiful family, raising eight children and creating a home filled with laughter, love and always a home-cooked meal. Their marriage became the foundation of a caring family whose roots continue to flourish across generations.

Gay dedicated many years of service to the City of Milwaukee, where he retired from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). He became known as “Gator” by his MMSD coworkers after earning the duty of making cold Gatorade for them before their workday began—a simple gesture that perfectly reflected the thoughtful man he was.

Retirement did not slow Gay’s desire to serve others. He was a long-term volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, faithfully delivering newspapers, mail and handmade wooden gifts to clinics, staff and patients on the ever-expanding medical campus. His kindness became legendary throughout the hospital. During his free time, Gay handcrafted numerous beautiful wooden flowers that he generously gave away at St. Luke’s Hospital to brighten someone’s day. Whether comforting a patient, encouraging a coworker, or simply sharing a smile, he made everyone feel seen and valued. His extraordinary volunteer service earned him recognition for consistently going above and beyond, though those who knew him understood that serving others was simply who he was.

Gay quietly lived his faith through his support of Holy Spirit Church. As head usher, he faithfully welcomed parishioners with warmth and kindness. He devoted countless hours to the church’s annual festival, where he served up his delicious Italian sausages with green peppers—a tradition that brought together family, friends, and the entire community.

Outside of work and volunteering, Gay found joy in the simple things that made life rich. He was an avid bowler and golfer, but perhaps nowhere was his patience more evident than in his garden. His tomatoes became legendary among family and friends, and every summer he delighted in sharing his harvest with extended family, friends and neighbors. Some of the family’s fondest memories were gathering around the dinner table enjoying BLT sandwiches made with tomatoes fresh from his garden.

Each morning before most of the neighborhood was awake, Gay would feed the birds that lived in his handmade wooden birdhouses. Gay continued to care for the birds into his last week of life. Watching them became as much a part of his daily routine as the sunrise itself, and it was one of the many quiet ways he cared for the world around him.

Gay possessed a remarkable curiosity for learning and an extraordinary mind. He had an incredible knowledge of history and an endless desire to continue learning. Long before information was only a click away, he could often be found reaching for one of his encyclopedias whenever an unknown word, location or question arose. He was always eager to understand new things and nourished that desire by regularly visiting Zablocki Library. His love of learning & reading are evident in many of his descendants. His intelligence was matched only by his sharp wit. Family and friends knew him for his quick, clever responses that could make an entire room burst into laughter.

Perhaps no one appreciated that impressive knowledge and advanced wit more than his beloved Pat. Early on, she affectionately nicknamed him “Silver Tongued Bozo” and she became his “Poopsie Woopsie”. Cards and notes to each other were always signed off simply as “P.W.” and “S.T.B.” Their playful banter became one of the many expressions of a love story that spanned more than six decades.

Every evening life slowed down for one of Gay & Pat’s favorite traditions. Side by side, they faithfully watched Jeopardy! followed by Wheel of Fortune. Both were remarkably good at the games, astonishing family members with their unlimited knowledge. Though Gay certainly held his own, everyone knew Pat was usually a split second quicker than him. It was a friendly competition they both enjoyed and one that became another treasured part of their life together and a wonderful memory for their family.

His hands could build almost anything, but his greatest masterpiece was the family he nurtured through his wisdom, patience, generosity and unconditional love.

He is lovingly survived by his children: Pam (Gerald), Susan, Mark, Dianne (Bob), Larry, Debbie (John), Sherrie (Greg), and Lisa.

He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Brendan (Angela), Colin, Sean (Meghan), Alicia (Josh), Becky, Amy (Jason), Shannon, Amelia, Jeremey, Jessica, Melissa (Matt), Amanda (Shawn), Noah, Samantha, Kaylen (Jordan), Jacob, Greg, Dallas, Josh, Aryelle, Lucas, Khristina, and Kathrina.

Gay was recently preceded in death by his cherished first granddaughter, Heidi (Chris). His reunion with Pat and Heidi is a comforting reminder for the family that love endures beyond this life.

He is also survived by his cherished great-grandchildren: Roman, Miles, Angelina, Amaya, Lola, Matthew, Ophelia, Hugh, Emmaline, Aiden, Caleb, Hunter, Maryann, Colt, Wyatt, Willow, Bo, Kaelyn, Roy, Jocelyn, Brayden, Alexis, Anthony, Alex, Shane, Kaylee, Robert, Lillyana, Mia, Jordyn, Serenity, Jersy, Camren, Alyza, Owen, Vincent, Francesca, Leon, Nora, and Ace.

He was also the proud great-great-grandfather of Oliver, Sophia, Olive, and Matteo.

Gay leaves behind a remarkable legacy of 24 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Each carrying forward a piece of his kindness, wisdom, and enduring spirit.

Dear brother of Joan (Ray) Mainer, Jean (Noel) Feil, Mike (Carol) Roffers, Mary (Mike) Fell and David Roffers. Dear brother-in-law of Vic (Marion) Hotz, Arlene Schrammel, June (Joe) Gorski, Robert (Rosann) Hotz, Carol (Richard) Olson, Rich (Joan) Hotz, Fran (Margaret) Hotz and Judy Rolerat. Further survived by many nieces, nephews, other family members and many friends.

Although our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that Gay’s life was one of extraordinary purpose. He measured success not by what he accumulated, but by what he gave away—his time, his talents, his compassion, and his love. He built homes with his hands, strengthened his community through service, cultivated gardens that fed those around him, and built a family whose roots will continue to flourish for generations.

His gentle heart, patient spirit, quick wit, quiet generosity, and unwavering love will forever remain the standard by which we measure a life lived fully.

A life devoted to service. A craftsman without equal. A veteran. A volunteer. A gardener. A storyteller. A husband whose love endured for more than 60 years. A father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, mentor, neighbor, and friend.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

A Celebration of Gaylen’s life will be announced at a later date.

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