Mike Roach

L. Michael Roach, 89, of Fort Wayne, died Saturday March 22, 2025 at Parkview Regional Medical Center. Mike was born in Fort Wayne on October 11, 1935, the son of (the late) Clement and Grace (Grimes) Roach. He was a proud graduate of Central Catholic High School with the Class of '54, where he set the school record for the mile in 1954, running it in an impressive 4 minutes and 29 seconds-a record that still stands today. In 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Carole Sue Harber, beginning a lifelong journey together. Mike retired from sales at All Phase Electric in 2008 after 32 years with the company. He was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Sertoma Club. He served as one of the election officials for many years and was also a volunteer assistant with the Fort Wayne Area Community Band. He was a fan of Notre Dame and Purdue sports as well as the Chicago Cubs, but his greatest joy was the time he spent with his family & friends. Mike was his children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's biggest fan, cheering them on in all their endeavors. He loved spending his free time attending musicals, concerts, and sporting events-where local referees and umpires became well-acquainted with his vocal disapproval of any calls against his grandkids. He also enjoyed fishing, hiking, and family card nights. Mike lived life BIG. He was loved by many and touched many lives. He was the patriarch of a large family and is survived by his children; Mark (Sue) Roach of Columbia City, Jeanne (Chuck) Lewis of Hudson, Steve (Dianne) Roach of Fort Wayne, Karen (Mark) Revolinski of Collinsville TX, Laura (Chris) Hayden of New Haven and Angela (Dave) Richey of Fort Wayne. Mike is also survived by his sister, Patricia Ann Kenney of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Tammy (Kent), Jeff (Tiffany), Beth (Greg), Rachel (Justin), Christi (Chris), Joy, Brad (Kristin), Kyle (Melani), Todd (Kelly), Katie (Michael), Shannon (Kyle), Jake (Alyssa), Christina (Tony), Michael (Breanna), Aaron (Andrea) and 35 great-grandchildren. He was also loved and cherished by many nieces, nephews, and great nieces & nephews, who also touched his life in a very meaningful way. In addition to his parents, Mike was also preceded in death by a son, John Michael Roach; grandson, Matthew; brothers, Clement Roach, Robert Roach, Thomas Roach, John Roach, James Roach, Charles Roach and Richard Roach, and sisters, Mary Harber and Kathleen Talbot. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am Thursday, March 27, 2025 at St Jude Catholic Church, 2102 Randalia Dr. with visitation from 9:30-10:30am in the church. Visitation also Wednesday from 4-8pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. with the Rosary at 3:30pm. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. The family's preferred memorial is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Indiana Chapter, online at https://afsp.org/chapter/indiana, or by mail to 14350 Mundy Drive, Suite 800-199 Noblesville, IN 46060. To share a remembrance of Mike or to offer condolences to his family, please visit DivineMercyFuneralHome.com.