We are very sad to inform you that our comrade Roger Carter passed away on May 29, 2023, after he suffered a fatal heart attack.

We extend our deepest sympathies to Roger’s sister Betty and his brothers Bert and Dale and their families, to his fellow retirees from the National Organization of Retired Postal Workers as well as his friends in the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. Our sincere condolences to his comrades in the Toronto Committee of CPC(M-L) with whom he shared weal and woe in the course of joint work carried out for more than four decades. Many members of the Ontario Committee of CPC(M-L) and from across the country also knew Roger well because they often met up with him at national conferences and were fortunate to share his company over the years.

Everyone knew Roger! He was ever-present in our meetings and in the actions of the working class and people. He could always be counted on to help carry the day. Rain or shine, he was there, lifting the Party banner under all conditions and circumstances, showing his colours through his deeds.

Roger was born in Winnipeg, MB to a family whose roots in Canada go back almost 200 years. He grew up in Selkirk and, after he finished high school, he spent the 1960-1961 school year teaching at Grand Rapids. He then pursued his higher education in Ottawa where he joined the anti-war movement attending demonstrations in support of the Vietnamese people and against nuclear war. He subsequently moved to Toronto to take journalism at Ryerson where he was elected to the faculty council in 1968. As he related later, he found out quickly enough that the truth derived from facts did not matter in journalism school which is why he championed journalistic integrity all his life.

In 1973, two pivotal events took place in his life. First, he joined the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) where, in his words, he found his “political and spiritual home.” Through his long involvement with the Party, he said he gained the vantage point he felt the workers needed to take the stands which favoured their interests.

He also found permanent employment at Canada Post where he worked the night shift at the South Central Letter Processing Plant. He was a proud postal worker for almost 33 years and a proud member of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). For 29 of those years he was a Shop Steward for the CUPW, assisting his fellow workers to fight for their rights. He was known for joining all the actions of the workers in defence of their rights and against their criminalization, even after he retired.

His years of service and commitment where recognized when he was awarded Lifetime Membership in the CUPW. In retirement Roger remained active as a member of the National Organization of Retired Postal Workers and served on its Executive. He made many life-long friends at South Central and with workers from other locals. Years after his retirement, former colleagues would stop and chat with him at picket lines and in mass actions. To the end of his days, Roger continued to march and be present in every action the Union and retirees held.

Roger’s life with CPC(M-L) was also a momentous one. For 38 years he worked as a volunteer in the Party’s printing press where he became a mainstay of the work force which made sure the Party press and non-Party press were produced and distributed on the basis of highest quality work on time. Even after he turned 80, he put in a regular shift to lend a hand wherever he could. Throughout this time he paid particular attention to encouraging the work to make sure the younger generations could learn about the history of the workers’ struggles. He joined in founding the Hardial Bains Resource Centre where he attended seminars, spoke at meetings to give his own experience and spent many hours building up its library and taking care of its reading room.

Without fail, Roger championed the cause of the workers and people across the country for a pro-social direction to the economy and against nation-wrecking by narrow private interests. From the Days of Action in Ontario in the 1990s to the struggles for political renewal and people’s empowerment since then, Roger took his place and stood his ground, speaking out and calling on all others to do the same. He was an MLPC candidate in several federal elections where he proudly called on workers to become worker politicians and represent themselves rather than handing over their vote to others over whom they exercise no control.

Roger’s name will also be forever linked to the struggles of the people of Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines, Palestine, Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, India, Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Lebanon and Syria and the workers of all countries for peace, freedom and democracy. He had an unfailing commitment to end the scourge of war and make Canada a Zone for Peace.

Roger was almost 82 when he passed away, ever active, ever independent, socially responsible without fail, and a wonderful friend. His dry humour and wit were always a source of joy to his friends. Words cannot express the sorrow his comrades feel at his passing. His absence will be felt by many who will remember him lovingly. He will be sorely missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Toronto on Saturday, June 24. All those who knew, loved and admired Roger are welcome.

Celebration of Life for Roger Carter

Saturday, June 24 – 2:00 pm
2445 Lakeshore Blvd. West
(Mimico Ave and Lakeshore Blvd)
Etobicoke M8V 1C5
For information: 647-204-5258

Remembrances and condolences can be sent to: remembrances@cpcml.ca.

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