Kenneth Raymond Roach

Kenneth R. Roach, 90, of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, lover of family, travel, business, hats, and all things made of wood, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 31, 2017, surrounded by family. Born on May 26, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up the third of four children of Raymond H. and Edna (Lenhard) Roach. He adored his older brother Keith, admired his younger brother Dean, and held his sister Elaine’s hand through thick and thin. He frequently told his family that the best decision he ever made was to marry his loving wife Helen (Gilleran) on Nov. 29, 1952. He was a proud co-owner of McCausey Lumber Co. for many years, a company started by Helen’s father, George Gilleran, and which is now co-owned by his daughter, Heleen, and his nephew Mike Gilleran, who are carrying on the family business as McCausey Specialty Products. He also shared his love of the wood business with his sons, Ken and Dan, who are co-owners of McCathay Timber Company in Chicago. He loved being a salesman, and often said, “You have to give 100 percent, even if 50 percent of your efforts don’t pay off, because you never know which 50 percent.” Ken was also a proud World War II veteran. He dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Navy on February 5, 1945 at the age of 17. Later, with the benefit of the G.I. Bill, Helen’s encouragement, and 10 years of night school, he graduated from University of Detroit in 1960. Ken was an avid world traveler and taught his children and grandchildren how to travel. He flew on the Concorde several times, and visited 61 countries, bringing home stories, wood carvings and even a Totem Pole from Alaska. While taking his children on business trips to Chicago, he would remind them that in driving, as in life, there’s always somebody in front of you and someone behind. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Helen, his daughters Colleen (Rick) Krausmann, Eileen (Joe) Bogosian, Maureen (Terry) Tobin, Heleen (Bob) Heaton and sons Ken (Robert) Roach and Daniel (Georgia) Roach, as well as 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, his siblings, and his daughter Kathy in 2013 and son-in-law Gabe Chiucchiarelli in 2016, who are all joyfully welcoming him to heaven. With sincere thanks to Linda and Linda, his loving caregivers from Senior Helpers, and hospice nurses at Residential Hospice of St. Clair Shores for their loving care, kindness and support. To his wife and children, did I tell you I love you today? Family will receive friends on Friday from 4-8 PM with prayer and sharing 6PM at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Road, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. He will lie in state Saturday from 10 AM until time of funeral Mass 10:30 AM at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 21201 13 Mile Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082. Interment will take place in Great Lakes National Cemetery on Monday, January 8, 2017 at 2:00 PM In honor of his belief in the importance of education, love of international travel, and entrepreneurial spirit, Memorial contributions in Ken’s memory can be made to the Mary Fran Gilleran Scholarship Fund at Detroit Cristo Rey High School, IHM Sisters in Monroe, Michigan, or Self-Help International in Waverly, Iowa.