With great sadness, we have been advised of the death last week of Roger Massey at the age of 73. He had been suffering from dementia and was in a care home for the last year.

He will be remembered as a very capable 1st team prop and second row in the late 1970’s, until his career as a doctor and consultant paediatrician took him to the East Yorkshire, at which time his work and family commitments prevented him continuing his rugby career.

Roger originally came to Hertford when he married Frances Rochford from Little Berkhamstead, who was also a doctor, whom he met when they were students together at Guys Hospital. His brother in law, Paul Rochford, also played for Hertford and Roger’s son Guy Massey later followed in his footsteps propping for the first and second teams between 2002 till 2012, and latterly occasionally for the vets or social sides.

The family company, Rochfords, are still sponsors and Roger’s sister in law Lizzer is a regular supporter, so the family connection is still very strong.[i]

Roger played in the first team alongside the likes of Barry Young, Peter King, Martin Roat and Mazo and will be remembered by all from that era not only as a very strong and capable player, but also for his great sense of fun and many good stories. He was a core part of the team both on and off the field and a very dear friend to many of us.

It was a great loss to the club when his career took him northwards, but his skill and dedication led to rapid advancement in the medical profession, until he secured the position of senior Paediatric Consultant at the Hull Royal Infirmary. He retired at the age of 62 and went to live in Cavendish, Suffolk, with his wife Frances.

He leaves a large family, including Frances, 4 sons and 9 grandchildren, to whom we send our deep condolences. He will be much missed by his family and friends, including many at Hertford RFC, where he is fondly remembered.

Mazo[/i]