John Harrison Roller, Jr., 94, of the Willows, Chesapeake Beach, MD died December 21, 2009 at Washington Hospital Center. He was born to John H. Sr. and Elma Tomlinson Roller on June 19, 1915 in Williamsport, PA, where he was raised and graduated from Williamsport High School.

He was a Chief Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard-Merchant Marine, and served in "Oceangoing Armed Conflict" from December 30, 1941 until August 15, 1945, earning the Merchant Marine Emblem and the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Bars. He was later employed as a Ship Captain, primarily in the cruise industry, and retired from his life at sea with the Grace Cruise Line in the late 1970's.

John and his wife Jessica Roller had resided in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida, and he had lived in the Willows, Chesapeake Beach, MD for the past fifteen years. He was a member of the Stallings-Williams American Legion Post 206 in Chesapeake Beach. He loved boating, fishing, being outdoors, and reading.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jessica, and his brother Donald Roller. He is survived by a brother Clyde L. Roller and his wife Alice Marie of Silver Spring, MD, a sister-in-law Loretta "Sugar" Roller of Jacksonville, FL, and by several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held 1:00 PM Monday December 28, 2009 at St. John's Cemetery, Hollywood, MD.

Arrange,ents provided by Rausch Funeral Home.