John Roake

John F. Roake

Resident of Menlo Park

May 21, 1918 - Oct. 11, 2010

A long time Bay Area resident, passed away quietly in his sleep at age 92, surrounded by many of his loved ones while under palliative care at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Palo Alto. Scholar, decorated combat Marine, teacher, and lawyer for many years, Roake raised eight children in Burlingame and Hillsborough. In his later years he moved to Alameda with his wife Elizabeth, before returning to the VA Facility to live out his twilight years among his fellow warriors and abundant visitors. He loved it there.

Roake was a fine father and doting grandfather. He was raised in adversity and passed along a sense of perseverance to those who knew him. He grew up in austere conditions in South Boston among his eleven brothers and sisters, yet attended Boston Latin and the Boston College on scholarships. At first rejected by the Marines as too small with poor eyesight when World War II erupted, he worked out relentlessly and became a Marine Lieutenant, who served heroically in the Marshall Island Pacific Campaign, where he lost a leg to enemy action. He never let his one leg slow him down. He recuperated at Mare Island, developing a love of the Bay Area. He was medically retired from the Marines, returned to Boston to marry Ellen Foley, and then returned to San Francisco where he and Ellen remained and raised eight children. John taught at Balboa High School in San Francisco while attending USF at night to earn his Juris Doctorate degree, and received his Masters at San Francisco State. After entering private practice for a few years, he then became an Assistant District Attorney in San Mateo County, before returning to private practice and teaching at the College of San Mateo. He was a member of The California Bar Association, The Knights of Columbus, Boston College Alumni, Serra High School and St. Bartholomew's Men's Club and several civic organizations throughout San Mateo County. He was a man of grit yet always offered a kind gesture towards those he loved and those in need. All reveled in his spell binding tales. All will sorely miss him.

Roake is survived by his eight children by Ellen Roake :(Michael (Joanne), Patricia Russell (Darrell); Bill (Cris); Tim (Kathleen); Ann; Denis (Joni); Deirdre McQuillan (Kevin); and Jim (Tracey); 12 beloved grandchildren, and 4 Great grand children; and his second wife, Elizabeth and her children/grandchildren. Services will be held on Monday, October 18, 2010, at 10 a.m. (viewing) and 11:00 am (services) at Skylawn Memorial Park/ Lifemark Center at Highway 92 and Skyline Blvd., San Mateo, www.lifemarkgroup.com. There will be a luncheon reception after. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make contributions to The Samaritan House at 4031 Pacific Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94403 or online at www.samaritanhouse.com.