Richard Rogozinski Obituary

Rogozinski, Richard
MENANDS - Richard "Rogo" P. Rogozinski, 67, passed away suddenly on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at his home in Menands. He was born in Schenectady on March 13, 1956, the beloved son of the late Edward J. and Constance M. Neely Rogozinski.
Rick was educated at St. Casmir's School in Albany and Menands School. He was a 1974 graduate of Watervliet High School, where he excelled on the offensive and defensive line in football, and also participated in track. He later graduated with high honors from Schenectady County Community College with an Associate's Degree in Fire Protection Technology.
Rick also took Mortuary Science courses at Hudson Valley Community College. He was employed initially by the O.D. Heck Center in Niskayuna for 10 years as an assistant therapist.
Rick began his firematic career with the N.Y. State Office of Fire Prevention & Control as a Fire/Arson Investigator in 1985. In 1988, he attended the first class of K9 Accelerant Detection School with his new dog "Hershey," a chocolate Labrador who was one of two dogs to first start in arson investigation. The 10 week school was conducted by the Atlantic City, N.J. Police Department and was the first organized class in the nation.
They worked together for 11 ½ years and amassed a perfect record in court. K-9 Hershey and Rick were the first accelerate team to be accepted as expert witnesses in N.Y. State, and many of their cases are still used today to facilitate other teams to qualify as experts witnesses. Rogo was one of the first two of two trainers in 1990 to start the N.Y. State Accelerant K9 Detection Program. The K-9 program still exists today.
Rick and K-9 Hershey assisted in the Happy Land Social Club fire that killed 87 people in the Bronx on March 25, 1990. That was the largest arson homicide fire in N.Y. State history. The perp receiving a 2,750 year sentence later died in prison.
Rogo was a life member of the Menands Volunteer Fire Department, joining the department in 1974, and served as Fire Chief from 1981-1982. He was also a member of the Schuyler Heights Fire Company, and a lieutenant with the former Riverside Ambulance Squad of Menands. Rick was also very active in the Polish-American Citizens Club in Albany where he served as a past president three times as well as currently serving on the board.
Rick also belonged to the following organizations: International Association of Arson Investigators, IAAI N.Y. Chapter-past director, Capitol District Fire Investigator Assoc. charter member and past director, US Police Canine Assoc., N.Y. State Assoc. of Fire Chiefs, Hudson Valley Vol. Firemen's Assoc., Mohawk-Hudson Vol. Assoc, N.Y. State Fire Assoc. of Fire Educators charter member, and the N.Y. State Retired Vol. Firefighters.
Rick loved taking trips to Walt Disney World with family and friends visiting over 100 times and joining the Disney Vacation Club in 1994. In early years, he loved to swim in the ocean, camp, hunt and fish. Rick also loved all animals. Whether they were inside pets like Thomas O'Malley or his outdoor buddies. He loved to feed the birds. squirrels, raccoons, possums or whoever stopped by the deck. They always had a good supply of food and fresh water year round.
In addition to his late parents, he is the husband of Laura R. Rogozinski of Selkirk. Although they were separated, they remained best friends. Brother of the late John E. Rogozinski; brother-in-law of Linda & Mike Roberts and JoAnn & Mike Audino; godfather of Colleen Vignola and Jonathon McCrae and many nieces and nephews. He was the dear friend of Jim and Carol Cavanaugh, Kevin Fronk, Doc Gaston, Art Phalen, Mike Knowlton, John Fairclough, and Brian McCrae. Also his very special friend and spiritual advisor, Jonna Foster. Rick was surrounded by great neighbors on VRB and Amsterdam and Wolfert Avenues especially the DiNovo's.
Relatives and friends may call at the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Avenue, Albany with Rev. John F. Tallman officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, 12204.
Condolence book at ParkerBrosMemorial.com.
As the mouse says, "See you real soon". LOL as they say!
Hershey my brown barking friend,
When my mortal life comes to an end,
We will be partners once again.
This time forever.