Stewart W. Roach

OSTERVILLE — Stewart W. Roach, 89, of Osterville, and formerly of Canton, passed away peacefully in his home on April 10, 2009.

He was the beloved husband of the late Katheryne Noonan Roach, and brother of the late Everett Roach of Solana Beach, Calif. Stewart is survived by a sister, Antrinette Roach of Bethel, Conn.; a daughter, Leona Roach of Pembroke; a son, Stewart J. Roach of Boston; and loving in-laws, nieces and nephews and their children.

In the 1930s, pursuing his passion for competitive hydroplane racing and with an aptitude for marine mechanics, Stewart graduated from Boston's Wentworth Institute of Technology. He then went on to instruct the military in marine engine troubleshooting during World War II and found the yacht dealership Norwood Marine. Over the next 50 years the business expanded and relocated to the Boston waterfront, becoming one of the nation's leading boat dealers and full-service boatyards.

After retiring to his summer home in Osterville in 1997, Stewart and his late wife remained active and devoted themselves to family, friends, their beloved pets, and the joys of boating.

A funeral will take place at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 15, from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 5 Canton Ave., Milton. A funeral Mass follows at 10:30 a.m. in St. Agatha's Church. Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 14.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Underdog ResQ, The Scruffy Fund, P.O. Box 35096, Boston, MA 02135, or online at www.underdogresq.org. Please visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for directions, online guest book and obituary.