Roger Carl Bjorkdahl, 83, of Cheshire, departed this life on June 20, 2009 at Hartford Hospital. He was the loving husband of Betty (Coon) Bjorkdahl. Roger was born on May 6, 1926, in Chicago, IL, a son of the late Carl and Dagmar (Hanson) Bjorkdahl. Roger was a graduate of North Park College in Chicago. He had been an officer in the Merchant Marine after graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy in Great Lakes, IL. Prior to his retirement, he had been an eastern national manager for the McIlhenny Company. He had been a model ship builder and enjoyed fishing and restoring antique clocks. He had been a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Chicago. In addition to his wife, he will be sadly missed by his sons: Roger Bjorkdahl and his wife Chikako of Seattle, WA, John Bjorkdahl and his wife Jane of Wallingford, Robert Bjorkdahl and his wife Teri of Hollis, ME; four grandchildren: Kevin, Casey, Erik and Erin; and a great grandson, Luca. A private funeral service was led by Rev. Dean Warburton of the First Congregational Church of Wallingford. Interment was at the Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a message of hope and please visit www.BCBailey.com.