Patrick W. Roach, Jr.

1944 - 2025

Patrick W. Roach, Jr., January 16, 1944 – December 18, 2025

Patrick W. Roach, Jr., passed away at the age of 81 after a brief illness on December 18, 2025. A third-generation Tybee resident, Pat was the oldest son of Bill and Katherine Roach. He grew up in the marshes and rivers of Tybee and had a natural curiosity in discovering how machines worked, deconstructing typewriters and boat motors and putting them back together.

Pat attended St. Michael's Catholic School and Benedictine Military School. He graduated from Southern Technical College in Marietta with an associate's degree in civil technology. He also earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in business administration from Armstrong State College.

He started his career with the Georgia Highway Department, followed by a 38-year career in civil engineering with Savannah Electric and Power Company and Georgia Power. His persistence in petitioning the Georgia Professional Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors to allow him to sit for the Professional Engineers exam led to him becoming the first candidate with an engineering education from a college other than Georgia Tech to successfully earn the Professional Engineer designation, paving the way for others to do the same. He was a long-time member of the Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia and instructed surveying courses at Savannah State University.

While working at SEPCO, Pat repeatedly led the team of volunteers for the non-profit organization Christmas in April that refurbished homes of homeowners struggling financially, often spending many weekends making additional repairs to homes long after the volunteer event was over. His family members enjoyed volunteering at these events and witnessing his leadership at work.

Pat was a devoted husband of 60 years to his wife Ellen May Roach and loving father to his four daughters Patricia (Carter) Harrison, of Collierville, TN; Susan (Michael) Mallory, of Salt Lake City, UT; Teresa (Dan) Johnson, of Roswell; and Rebecca (David) Campbell, of Atlanta. He was also a doting grandparent to Carter, Marlene, Olivia, Halley, Will, Claire, Jonah, Alex and Grey, as well as a loving great grandfather to Chip, Maggie, Elliot and James. He was a member of St. Michael Parish.

Pat leaves behind a legacy of wisdom, quiet insight and resilience. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A visitation will be held after the holidays at Fox and Weeks Island Chapel. A memorial mass will be held after the holidays at St. Michael Catholic Church on Tybee. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Pat's remarkable life and share in remembrance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Old Savannah City Mission or the Savannah branch of Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) or Benedictine Military School.