Roger Fenn Duncan, 93, of Boothbay, died peacefully on May 15. He was the son of Robert F. and Dorothy Fenn Duncan and raised in Scarsdale, N.Y. Roger was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard College. He was a teacher, coach and administrator at the Fenn School in Concord, Mass. and the Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Mass.
He was the author of numerous books including: A Cruising Guide to the New England Coast, Coastal Maine, Eastward, and Ashore and Afloat. Roger with his wife Mary sailed their Friendship Sloop Eastward extensively along the coast from New York to St. John’s New Brunswick. They sailed parties for many years in the Boothbay Harbor Region. He was a member of the Cruising Club of America, and the Friendship Sloop Society where he raced Eastward very successfully. Roger and Mary were recognized throughout the coastal communities of New England. Roger was known for his seamanship, knowledge, and history of the coast. One could not spend a day afloat with them without having some friend sail by with a cheerful, “Hi Ya Roger” floating across the water from another cockpit.
Roger was a master educator, Headmaster of the Belmont Hill School, and chairman of the School Committee in Concord, Mass. As a founding member of the Mid-Coast Maine Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist, he lived his principles out every day and shared them with countless students, colleagues, and friends. Roger was a beloved soccer, hockey and crew coach. He coached with a vibrant competitive spirit but demanded respect for the opposition and fair play at all times. Into his early eighties as a single skull oarsman he competed in the Head of the Charles regatta in Cambridge and showed the competition his wake on most occasions.
He is survived by his wife Mary Duncan of Boothbay; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Joyce Duncan of Southport; sons, Robert and wife Lucinda of Concord, Mass., William and wife Lizbeth of Burke, Va. and John and wife Carol of Charlotte, N.C.; also by eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Roger Duncan was a steadfast man, sensitive and careful with words; always willing and eager to lend a hand to others.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Sun., May 23 in the Congregational Church in Boothbay Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to The Fenn School in Concord, 516 Monument St., Concord, MA 01742; The Belmont School, 350 Prospect St., Belmont, MA 02478-2662; or Doctors Without Borders, USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
