Thomas W. Roach, Jr.

1931 - 2013

NEW PALTZ- Thomas W. Roach, Jr., age 81, New Paltz died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.
Born on June 12, 1931, in Kingston, he was the son of the late Thomas W. and the late Jane (Schnitzler) Roach, Sr. He married Audrey Aldridge on Dec. 26, 1953 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in St. Albans, NY. She survives at home.
Tom has resided in New Paltz for 50 years, prior to that, living in Valhalla.
Tom graduated from Kingston High School in 1948 and then went on to graduate from Villanova University in 1952.
He served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Marine Corp., from 1952 to 1954, attaining the rank of Captain.
For 30 years, he worked as a life insurance agent, financial planning agent, and manager for several insurance companies. Tom served as Commissioner of Social Service for Ulster County for 12 years.
Tom also served his town and surrounding communities on the Ulster County Legislator from 1974 to 1983- during which he was Minority leader and later as Chairman.
He is a member of the Parish of St. Joseph's Church in New Paltz, where he has served as past President of the Parish Council and currently served as a Eucharist Minister. He was a longtime Republican Committeeman for the Town of New Paltz.
Since retirement in 1997, he has served on several boards of not for profit agencies including: Ulster County Industrial Development Agency, Mid-Hudson Family Health Institute, as Chairman and Member of the William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust Fund, Chairman and member of Advisory Board for Commissioners of N.Y. State office of Children and Family Services, board member of the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy Home Visiting Council of the N.Y.S. Office of Children and Family Services, former President of the Ulster County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, Chairman of the United Way's Emergency Food and Shelter Program Board, and the Children's Annex.
Tom has received many awards-amongst them: Saint Cabrini Humanitarian Award, Commissioners Award from the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Distinguished Citizen Award from The Boy Scouts of America.
Surviving, in addition to his wife Audrey(Aldridge) Roach, their children: Jane and John Winters, Neal O'Reilly, Tom and Nancy Roach, Brian and Brenda Roach, Kathleen and Neal Kenslea, Mary Beth and Joe Grasso; 18 grandchildren: Keith, Meghan, Melissa, Patrick, Kyle, Michael, Lauren, Jessica, Kayla, Jacob, Danny, David, Sara, Dylan, Erin, Jack, Maggie, and Sean; one great-grandson: Nolan; three sisters and their husbands: Catherine and Joseph McGrane, Cornelia and Edward Gallagher, and Mariema and Joseph Diaguardi; two brothers: Reverend John Roach and Charles and Mary Roach; many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Peg O'Reilly.
Calling hours will be on Sunday, March 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, N.Y. A mass of Christian burial, celebrated by Rev. John Roach, will be on Monday March 11, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 34 South Chestnut Street, New Paltz. Cremation will follow in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
Donations may be made to: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123-1718
Funeral arrangements are by Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, N.Y. 12561. (845)255-1212. If anyone wishes to express condolences online please go to www.copelandfhnp.com.