Thomas C. Roach

1925 - 2010

Thomas C. Roach, 85, long time resident of the South Bay, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at his Riviera home, surrounded by his family. Born in Indio, California on March 20, 1925, he attended St. Clemens Elementary and St. Monica High School, where he played football and baseball. Tom grew up on the beaches of Venice and Santa Monica where he loved surfing and playing volleyball. He served 3 years in the Navy in WWII, teaching swimming and sea survival to recruits at the San Diego Naval Training Center and graduating from Notre Dame Midshipman School. During the war he attended Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, where he played football, and met and married the homecoming queen, Doris Sommer. Moving back to California they bought their first house in the Westchester area of L.A. before settling into the Riviera section of Redondo Beach in the late 50's. Tom and Doris raised 10 children, sending them all through St. Lawrence Martyr Elementary and Bishop Montgomery High School. Tom was very active in the St. Lawrence Church, where he served as usher and board member for 55 years. Always the sports enthusiast, Tom co-founded the Palos Verdes Pop Warner football program, serving as president and coach for over 10 years. He was the "Voice of the Knights" for twenty years, announcing Bishop Montgomery football and basketball games and served as president of the parents and booster clubs at Bishop. A 35 year member of the South Bay Athletic Club, Tom loved their weekly luncheons and the friends he had there. Tom also served on many boards and committees that helped to shape the South Bay area. Tom worked as a sales executive for 3M Company for 30 years, selling abrasives, tapes and adhesives throughout the Los Angeles area and racking up well over a million miles on the freeways of L.A. After retiring in 1982 Tom and Doris spent the next 20 years traveling the world. Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris; his daughters, Katie, Marion and Patty; his sons, Tom, Jim, Charlie, Steve, Kevin, and Tim; his sister, Rita Hutter of Santa Monica; his seven sons/daughters-in-law; his 19 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his youngest son, Bob. Funeral services are scheduled for St. Lawrence Martyr Church, 1900 S. Prospect Ave., Redondo Beach on Friday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Viewing and a Rosary are scheduled for Thursday, September 16 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at McCormick Mortuary, 1998 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Providence Trinity Care Hospice or the Bob Roach Memorial Scholarship Fund, Bishop Montgomery High School. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits. Please go to the mortuary's website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages, share memories, or to obtain directions to the services. Check back to view the online video tribute.