Founding father of Millbrae dies

He was 84.

Flags were half-staff in Millbrae until Sunday, May 20 at dusk to remember Rogers’ contributions. Rogers grew up in Millbrae when it wasn’t a city, returned when he was starting his own family and became entrenched in the inner workings of civic duty and improving the growing area. He was not only the city treasurer for 32 years but the city’s first postal worker. His love for the city ended when Rogers suffered a heart attack on the way home from having lunch with his wife.

Rogers was born in San Francisco in 1923. Growing up, Rogers sold the Saturday Evening Post on the Geary Street trolley line. His family moved to Millbrae when Rogers was 12 years old when it was just a village community.

Rogers attended Chadbourne School through eighth grade then took the Market Street Railway’s #40 car to Burlingame High School, where he ran track and played basketball. He graduated from Burlingame in 1939. During that time, Rogers took to working at the Millbrae Sun under editor Peter Loftus.

Rogers attended the College of San Mateo, which he finished in 1941.

With the war effort building, Rogers joined the Navy working as a first class petty officer abroad the USS Regal, a repair ship doing duty in the South Pacific. Rogers was enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley prior to going to war. He returned to school in the late 1940s.

In 1945, Rogers met his future wife, Marilyn. The couple was introduced by a mutual friend in front of what is now Peet’s Coffee on Broadway. The pair had planned to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next week.

Before graduating college, Rogers took a civil service test and became the first postman in Millbrae as his summer job. He was paid a quarter per day in the summer of 1946 to deliver mail to Millbrae residents.

"If it could help Millbrae, he would do it,” said his son Dan Rogers.

Rogers graduated Berkeley with a degree in accounting and business administration in 1947 and went to work for the C&H Sugar Company in San Francisco. Against the advice of his father, Rogers moved back to Millbrae to open his own accounting business shortly after.

Rogers returned to open his business specializing in tax consulting.

Millbrae was officially incorporated in 1948. That same year, the elected treasurer resigned. Rogers was appointed in his place. At the time, Rogers conducted all the financial business in his own accounting office using his own staff. The situation remained that way until 1980, when he resigned.

When Millbrae was smaller, this practice was accepted. It was questioned, however, in later years, recalled former councilwoman Mary Griffin. But it was cost effective and the audits always came out clean.

"He was very outgoing, very outspoken,” said Griffin. "That isn’t a bad thing. You always knew where you stood with Ed.”

While he held the position of city treasurer, most of the city buildings were built — including the youth community center. The project was originally disapproved by voters, but Rogers found a way to leverage city funds and use general fund money to make it happen.

Rogers was determined in his work, partnering with longtime Millbrae contractor Joe Fagnani to open an insurance and real estate brokerage, development and property management firm. Rogers eventually bought Fagnani out when he retired. Now Rogers’ sons Craig and Dan run the company.

Through his work and community ties, Rogers had a hand in sponsoring little league teams and at one point was a minority owner of Shaw’s Candy and Ice Cream on El Camino Real.

Over the past 30 years, Rogers made a habit of traveling about six months of the year enjoying one of his four homes — Millbrae, Maui, Lake Tahoe and La Quinta.

"He balanced his business and personal life to such a degree, he was always active,” said Dan Rogers.

Ed Rogers Realtor, Inc. recently renovated 446 Broadway. Rogers’ office shows his love for the 49ers. The walls are still bare with framed diplomas neatly stacked against the wall. Smiling family photos are atop the lone bookcase. Instead of a computer, his desk featured an adding machine. Dan Rogers laughed at how well his dad could work the adding machine.

Rogers is survived by his wife Marilyn; his children Dan Rogers, Craig Rogers and Sue Gotter; and his grandchildren Sheila, Kristy, Lauren, Matthew and Steven.

The family plans to hold a private ceremony June 15 to spread Rogers’ ashes off a boat near the Golden Gate Bridge. A celebration of Rogers’ life is planned for June 9 at the Green Hills Country Club. All friends and family are invited to join.

Memorial donations may be sent to: Mission Hospice of San Mateo County, 1900 O’Farrell St., San Mateo, CA 94403.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.