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James Patrick Roach

1940 - 2016

BORN

1940

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Keeney & Basford Funeral Homes, P.A.

106 East Church Street

Frederick, Maryland

James Roach Obituary

Name: Funeral Mass for James Patrick Roach
Start: 2016-10-03T15:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Joseph's at Carrollton Manor Catholic Church

Mr. James Patrick Roach, 76, of Frederick and Vero Beach, FL, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2016.  He is survived by his wife, Young Hee Roach and his children, Kimberly Birdsell and husband Jason; Sean Roach and wife Heather Dyas-Fried; Daniel Roach; grandchildren, Emily Birdsell, Owen Birdsell, Everest Roach and Opal Roach; sisters, Justine Roach, Linda Fitzsimons and Erin Russell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born April 17, 1940 in Albany, NY, he was the son of the late David and Justine (McAllister) Roach. James was an adventurous man who easily could have been a character in a novel. He grew up on a farm and later served as a Lt. Commander in the US Navy before continuing his career as a Human Resources manager for 38 years with the Bechtel corporation and later as a director for CH2M Hill before his retirement.  He was very proud of the 27 countries in which he worked or traveled during his career, including Abu Dhabi, UAE; Basrah and Baghdad, Iraq; Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Kori and Young Gwang, Korea; India; and Villahermosa, Mexico. He was willing and eager to go anywhere and wasn't afraid of the hardships and challenges of working and living overseas.

James was tough, hardworking, and a force to be reckoned with - giving everything he had to everything he did. This included persevering as a hostage in 1990 during the first Iraq war. Later, during his two year battle with cancer, he inspired others through his courageous fight.

Through his vibrant personality and vast experiences, he was a great storyteller who could, and would, talk to anyone he met. He also had a passion for food which he shared with family and friends through meals that celebrated the many cultures he loved. Though Fox News lost one of their most ardent supporters, heaven gained a great man.

Above all, he loved being surrounded by his family who loved him dearly. He will be greatly missed by all of his friends and loved ones.

A Catholic service will be held October 3rd, 11am, at St. Joseph's at Carrollton Manor Catholic Church, 5843 Manor Woods Road, Frederick, MD 21703. Inurnment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be shared to the Cancer Research Institute:  www.cancerresearch.org

Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Frederick News-Post from Sep. 29 to Sep. 30, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James Roach

Sponsored by Keeney & Basford Funeral Homes, P.A..

10 Entries

Justine, James and Danny

David Roach

September 22, 2020

my Grandmother, my Godfather, and my Godson...

JPR & DJR4 sailing on SF Bay

David Roach

September 22, 2020

Linda Sodaro

October 11, 2016

Crossing the Bar......
"Sunset and evening star,
and one clear call for me.
And may there be no moaning of the bar, when I put out to sea. But such a tide as moving seems asleep
Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, and after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark: For tho' from out our bourne of time and place, the flood may bear me far, I hope to see my pilot face to face, When I have crossed the bar."

Smooth sailing Uncle James. You will be missed. Rest in peace. Love, Linda (Roach) Sodaro

F K

October 3, 2016

I send my condolences to the Roach family for the loss of your loved one. May friends and family comfort you during this distressing time. May you rely on our Father God who is near to all those calling on him. Psalms 145:18

Gene Huddleston

October 1, 2016

I only met Jamie a few times, but it was clear that he had a lot of McAllister in him - must have gotten it from his darling of a mother, Aunt Chick. He was much like his uncles who built their tugboat business: tough, hard working, committed to the job. God rest his soul.

He loved to be on his boat

John and Joelle Tessier

October 1, 2016

Our thoughts are with you in this difficult period and we wish you healing and peace.
Please receive our heartfelt condolences for your loss. We hope your memories of Jim will bring you comfort and strength. We were extremely fond of him and are very saddened. We hope you feel surrounded by much love.

October 1, 2016

I worked with Jim on and off over the decades, and he was always helpful and professional. One of the many unsung heroes in the Bechtel organization. I particularly remember that when he left Iraq in the mid to late 1970s, all the Iraqi employees who worked for him came to the airport with their families to see him off, and they were crying tears of disappointment to see him go. He had met the family members and shared meals with him and he was much loved, and they were so sorry to see him leave.

Rest in peace, Jim.

John McGuinn

Path to the boat

Eileen

October 1, 2016

We loved and respected Uncle James throughout our lives. Thanks to our faith and our family, love carries us forward. Uncle James led a courageous life and had a way of guiding people with his his quit wit, unique responses and overall commander in chief style. May God bless Uncle James with a peaceful rest to follow his years of an action filled life.

Marv Regner

September 30, 2016

A great man, and a great memory. We will never forget the years that we all worked together. A loss to the world. We offer our prayers and condolences.

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