Obituary
Roger Allen Andreoli, lifelong Kenosha resident and force of nature, died peacefully and
prematurely after his battle with Covid-19 on November 28, 2020.
The son of the late Frank Andreoli and Divina (Fortino) Andreoli, Roger was born on July 28,
1942 into a large Italian family. He spent hours playing in Columbus Park with his siblings and
neighbors and serving as an altar boy at Mount Carmel Catholic Church. He often recalled how
the priests would walk over and come right to his house to pull him out of bed in the morning
to help with services.
He attended Kenosha public schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School where
he spent many happy hours in the symphonic band playing tuba and in a dance band playing
string bass. A proud member of the class of 1960, Roger spent the rest of his life actively
working on the reunion committee.
Roger graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with an education degree and
began his professional career at Roosevelt Elementary teaching sixth grade. Throughout his life
he shared countless stories of all the fun he had with his students, particularly his first class. He
received his graduate degree in special education from Cardinal Stritch University while
teaching full-time. While at Stritch, Roger began lifelong friendships with many of the brilliant
sisters who were national leaders in education.
It was Roger’s move to teaching special education that led to him to meeting his wife and best
friend of 50 years, Sharon (Smith) Andreoli, a speech therapist employed by Kenosha Unified.
When Sharon decided that she was going to make a change and accept a position in Los
Angeles, California, Roger said, “No, you aren’t. You are going to stay here and marry me!” They
were married several months later on August 1, 1970.
Roger and Sharon had three children together. He had as much fun with them as with his
students, always participating in and attending their activities. As a family, they loved to travel
on road trips in their big van, attend sporting and musical events, and laugh as much as
possible. Sharon and Roger could not have been a better parenting team and also supported
each other professionally. Their daughter fondly remembers waking up on school mornings to
find her parents sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and talking through their upcoming
days, discussing their students, and sharing ideas.
Roger’s professional life was one of service. He served others as a special education teacher, a
Director of the Kenosha Achievement Center, the Director of the Kenosha County
Comprehensive Mental Health Board, and the coach of more youth sports teams than can be
counted. Roger liked to say, “We meet people where they are, with respect, and we help them
take the next step they can.” Dad ended his career at Wilmot High School. While there, he
created a successful work program for his students, insuring that individuals with intellectual
disabilities could establish careers with local businesses and enjoy the pride that comes with
work and connection to others.
Roger’s happy place was on the golf course. Roger and Sharon spent their retirement splitting
time between Kenosha and The Villages, Florida, where he got plenty of opportunity to work on
his short game. Roger met wonderful people in Florida and enjoyed all of its activities and
sunshine. He also loved traveling and took many trips both nationally and internationally. He
believed that one of the best ways to learn was to explore different places and to get to know
people from different cultures.
Roger’s exuberance for life was infectious. It would be impossible to list all of the organizations
in which he participated; he jumped into living with both feet. He will be remembered for his
terrific (and sometimes inappropriate) sense of humor, his goofy accents, his incredible
handmade carpentry creations, and his catch phrases like, “If it’s free, it’s for me,” and “You ask
for nothing, you get nothing!” His colorful fashion choices and his giant smile will be especially
missed.
Roger is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children Kori (Mike) Lusignan, Allan (Julie) Andreoli,
and Joseph (Melissa) Andreoli; his two beloved granddaughters, Ellerie Lusignan and Georgia
Andreoli; his brother, Don Andreoli, his sister, Jean Smith, and his twin sister, Rosalyn Deardorf;
dozens of devoted nieces and nephews; and his best friend in life, Lee Aiello. He was preceded
in death by his parents and siblings Salvatore, Robert, Betty, Frank, and Albert.
Roger’s family will not be holding services at this time in order to spare other families the
trauma they experienced with Covid-19. When this pandemic is over, Roger’s life will be
celebrated in the way he loved living: with music, laughter, and food. Until then, please wear a
mask, stay socially distanced, and take care of others.
Should you wish to honor Roger’s life with a charitable donation, the Kenosha Achievement
Center (KAC) was near and dear to his heart.
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