Obituary for Harold Edward "Hal" Roach Sr.
Harold Edward Roach, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in Westminster, MD on August 26, 2019 surrounded by his loving, devoted wife and family. Harold was born August 15, 1937 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the son of Claude and Stella Roach. Harold was survived by his sister, Thelma Wilson, and many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters, Margaret Russell, Edith Lafferty, Ralph Russell, Paul Russell, Vernie Sentel, Frank Monroe, Howard Monroe.
Harold married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Janice Roach, and was happily married for 63 years. During those years, Harold was very proud to be the patriarch of “The Roach Family” which has grown from eight children to 100 loving children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was abundantly blessed with Cynthia Altamirano and her husband Alex, Butch Roach and wife Kathy, Debbie Chesbro and her husband Dave, Randy Roach and his wife Cathy, Leslie Wesley and her husband Terry, Cara Fetner and her husband Jeff, Brian Roach and his wife Kathi, Chris Roach and his wife Lynn, 48 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jessica Jeppi.
Harold graduated from Roosevelt Wilson High School in Nutter Fort, WV in 1955 and moved his family from West Virginia to Maryland in 1956 where he began his career at the General Services Administration and eventually became the Deputy Director of the Tools Division. After retirement from GSA he began a very successful career as a Real Estate Agent for Long & Foster.
Harold had a very powerful presence not only in his family’s lives but also in his church and community. He was very active in the church as a deacon and as an acapella song leader where he touched many people’s hearts with his beautiful, harmonic voice.
Harold’s love of music was part of every aspect of his life. He played the trumpet, organ, piano and was active in community theater. His love of music led to singing in choruses and barbershop quartets including a performance at Constitution Hall in DC. He always shared music with his children on family road trips, birthdays, anywhere and everywhere!
Harold was very active in sports and played football, baseball and basketball in high school. He later played on a fast pitch softball team in DC for many years. He enjoyed coaching his children in baseball and football and later enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s sports events.
Harold created many lasting memories during his lifetime. His welcoming home was a place where everyone wanted to come…. to share a meal, play cards, sing songs, have a sleepover, sleigh ride, or have parties. He lived his life to the fullest always with the love of family and friends in mind. His favorite saying to all was “You know what I like about you…EVERYTHING!” And we love everything about him too!
A celebration of Harold’s life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at the Eline Funeral Home, 2901 Bloom Road, Finksburg, MD 20148 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. A Memorial service will be held from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Interment Evergreen Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ridge Overlook Assisted Living, c/o Chrissy Kanther, 110 Terrapin Drive, Sykesville, MD 21784. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.elinefuneralhome.com
Harold married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Janice Roach, and was happily married for 63 years. During those years, Harold was very proud to be the patriarch of “The Roach Family” which has grown from eight children to 100 loving children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was abundantly blessed with Cynthia Altamirano and her husband Alex, Butch Roach and wife Kathy, Debbie Chesbro and her husband Dave, Randy Roach and his wife Cathy, Leslie Wesley and her husband Terry, Cara Fetner and her husband Jeff, Brian Roach and his wife Kathi, Chris Roach and his wife Lynn, 48 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Jessica Jeppi.
Harold graduated from Roosevelt Wilson High School in Nutter Fort, WV in 1955 and moved his family from West Virginia to Maryland in 1956 where he began his career at the General Services Administration and eventually became the Deputy Director of the Tools Division. After retirement from GSA he began a very successful career as a Real Estate Agent for Long & Foster.
Harold had a very powerful presence not only in his family’s lives but also in his church and community. He was very active in the church as a deacon and as an acapella song leader where he touched many people’s hearts with his beautiful, harmonic voice.
Harold’s love of music was part of every aspect of his life. He played the trumpet, organ, piano and was active in community theater. His love of music led to singing in choruses and barbershop quartets including a performance at Constitution Hall in DC. He always shared music with his children on family road trips, birthdays, anywhere and everywhere!
Harold was very active in sports and played football, baseball and basketball in high school. He later played on a fast pitch softball team in DC for many years. He enjoyed coaching his children in baseball and football and later enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s sports events.
Harold created many lasting memories during his lifetime. His welcoming home was a place where everyone wanted to come…. to share a meal, play cards, sing songs, have a sleepover, sleigh ride, or have parties. He lived his life to the fullest always with the love of family and friends in mind. His favorite saying to all was “You know what I like about you…EVERYTHING!” And we love everything about him too!
A celebration of Harold’s life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at the Eline Funeral Home, 2901 Bloom Road, Finksburg, MD 20148 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. A Memorial service will be held from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Interment Evergreen Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ridge Overlook Assisted Living, c/o Chrissy Kanther, 110 Terrapin Drive, Sykesville, MD 21784. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.elinefuneralhome.com