Knightdale, North Carolina - "Hells Bells"

Roger Alan Hailey, 81, of Knightdale, North Carolina passed away on July 30, 2024. He was born on March 7, 1943 to the late Alex Hailey and late Ruth Lally in Niagara Falls, New York. He was a graduate of Trott Vocational High School and Michigan State University.

While at Trott, Roger played football for three varsity seasons and was named All-City, All-Niagara Frontier League and All-Western New York as a quarterback for the Engineers in 1960. He set the state passing record for completions and yards. He was also All-City and All-League in basketball as he led the Niagara Frontier League in scoring for two years. He was the first person in the league to win eleven varsity letters, three in football, four in basketball and four as a pitcher in baseball.

Roger received a football scholarship to Michigan State University from 1961 to 1965. He played with an elite group known as "Hailey's Comets". He always had a good many stories to tell about his football playing days at MSU.

Roger was united in marriage to Marie Meierer on July 16th, 1966. This union was blessed with two sons, Roger J. Hailey and Jeffrey A. Hailey, now both of Knightdale, NC. Coach and his sons loved playing golf together, always challenging one another. He was a member of the Niagara Frontier Country Club where he had three "hole-in-one" golf shots. While living in North Carolina, Roger very much enjoyed playing in his senior golf league and following the activities of his two grandsons, Bryce Conner Hailey, now of New York, NY and Carson Brooks Hailey, now of Clarksville, TN.

Roger was predeceased by his siblings Larry Hailey (Barbara), Patricia Kowalski (Matt), Maureen Albert (Ron), and Donna Pawelczak-Doyle (Chuck, Leo). He was also predeceased by his loving in-laws Ralph and Jean Meierer. In addition, Roger is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Liturgy of the Word service will be held on Saturday, August 17th at 11:00 a.m. It will be held at the Renaissance Funeral Home, 7616 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC. His cremains will be transferred to the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lewiston, NY at a later date.

“GO GREEN !......... GO WHITE !”