EXTERNAL Relations Minister Philip Ozouf has spoken of his devastation following the sudden death of his civil partner, saying: ‘There are simply no words to describe how I feel.’
In an emotional statement posted on social media, the Deputy said that Kevin Rogers is believed to have died from a ‘massive cardiac event’ following a history of congenital heart issues. He was 42-years-old.
The Deputy revealed that Mr Rogers, who taught chemistry at the City of London Boys School, had recently accepted a job in Jersey and was looking forward to taking up the position in September.
‘It is with huge sadness that now is not to happen,’ said Deputy Ozouf, who accompanied his husband’s body on its journey back to Jersey this week.
He added: ‘Kevin was in good health and his death was a shock and unexpected.
‘At our civil partnership in May 2017 I said since we met he changed my life for the better. He did.
‘I am devastated at Kevin’s loss and there are simply no words to describe how I feel.
‘This is the same for his respected parents Paul and Karen Rogers who live in Blackburn and his beloved twin sister Jessica and brother-in-law Glyn who live in Australia and plan to travel to the UK and Jersey in the days ahead.
‘Grief is the price we pay for love and I, both our families and close friends are heartbroken that he is gone.’
Deputy Ozouf described Mr Rogers, with whom he was shortly due to celebrate their ten-year anniversary, as a ‘highly regarded and inspirational teacher’ who ‘changed the course of many young people’s lives and for the better’.
He said his partner was ‘a cultured man with traditional principles with an informed view of the world and what was right and wrong’.
The Deputy added: ‘In our life together he was rarely found to be wrong in his analysis of so many situations. His assessment and judgment about others was always clear. Always well-intentioned, he certainly was able to decisively separate fact from fiction and right from wrong.
‘His knowledge of history, his wit, charm and [the fact he was] guided by the highest of standards was one of the reasons Kevin made such unforgettable, meaningful and memorable impressions on most people he met whether in academia, politics or in the many other settings and places in London, Jersey and in many places we were so fortunate to be able to visit together around the world.’
Mr Rogers’ body has now been brought back to Jersey ahead of his funeral at St Saviour’s Parish Church.
‘I am truly grateful for all of the literally hundreds of messages that I and Kevin’s family and friends have received in recent days.
‘Thank you to those who have been thinking of Kevin and all who were close to him, especially his beloved twin Jessica Hurst and parents Paul and Karen Rogers and brother-in-law Glyn Hurst,’ said Deputy Ozouf.
