James M. Roach

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James Roach Obituary

Family-Placed Obituary

JAMES M. ROACH James "Jim" Michael Roach, 74, a long-time resident of Wellington, FL, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 21, 2010, at Palms West Hospital. Son of the late James, Sr. and Adele Roach, Jim was born in Chicago, IL on December 25, 1935. He grew up on the south side of Chicago and attended St. Rita Elementary School and Lindbloom High School. As a young man, he followed his father into the pipe fitter trade where he worked as a member of Local Union 597. After marrying his wife, Rita, in 1966 and graduating from Loyola University in 1968, he began a career in labor relations subsequently relocating to Florida. As a Labor Relations Manager for Florida Power and Light, he directed policies related to contractor labor relations on all power plant building projects and was instrumental in the construction of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant. During his career, he also served as the Chairman of the Generating Plant Construction Committee of the Southeastern Electrical Exchange, Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Edison Electric Institute and Vice President of the Florida Business Roundtable. In retirement, he especially enjoyed visiting with the colleagues and friends he made while working in the construction industry. For nearly thirty years, Jim was an active member of St. Rita Catholic Church in Wellington, FL and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. An avid lover of Irish and Scottish traditional music, he had been a member of both the Chicago Stock Yard Kilty Band and the Palm Beach Pipes and Drums. Being a 'Christmas baby,' he enjoyed sharing his birthday with our Lord as well as taking great delight in holiday festivities by dressing as Santa Claus. His kind and generous spirit was a blessing to all who knew, cherished and loved him. As a husband, father, grandfather, brother and son his love and support knew no bounds. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Rita (nee Nemec); daughters, Sheila (Luis) Roach-Deleon and Maureen (Clifford) Wacha; grandchildren, Mary and Jimmy Wacha; sister, Sheila (Bob) Zimmer and brothers, Bob Roach (Lucinda) and the late Bill Roach (Pat); brother-in-law, Tom Nemec (Mae); nieces, nephews, good friends and neighbors. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 26, from 6 PM-8 PM at Palms West Funeral Home in West Palm Beach, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at St. Rita Roman Catholic Church in Wellington, FL. Burial will follow at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the Autism Project of Palm Beach County by mail to APPBC, 5800 Corporate Way, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or online at www.autismproject.org/Donate. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries

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Published by The Palm Beach Post from May 25 to Jun. 1, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for James Roach

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13 Entries

Enrique Perez

December 31, 2011

Rita;

My name is Enrique and you may remember Jim was my supervisor at FPL. Like may times before, tonight, I was thinking about the times I spent working with him and decided to look him up in the Internet. I am schocked and heart broken to find that he passed away last year. I regret not having been able to contact him previously. I was a 24 year old recent graduate back in 1974, and I felt that at times he treated me like a son. I am a witness to Jim's generosity and kindness to his fellow man and love for you and the kids (Sheila and Maureen). I am sure God has found a place for him in heaven. I will forever be grateful for having known him and will pray always for him, you and the kids.
Sincerely;
Enrique Perez

Jill Fleury

June 9, 2010

Mrs. Roach, Sheila, and Maureen,
Arul and I are so sorry for your loss. He was such a wonderful man, when Sheila got married, he chatted with us like he knew us for years even though he had just met us. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Sheila, talk to you soon. Our love to you all.

June 7, 2010

Rita, we were so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. We will never forget the time we all got together for a Sunday dinner at the House of Hughes when you were in Chicago for a visit. We had such a good time. Jim was so kind and I know you and the girls will truly miss him. You are in our prayers. Love, Marty & Loretta Cunningham, Oak Lawn, IL

Karen Cook

May 31, 2010

Rita, Sheila and Maureen, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. I am so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. I will keep you all in my prayers, and will be in touch soon.

Karen

May 29, 2010

Dear Mrs. Roach and family,

I work at the Goodwill store in Wellington, Florida. A mutual friend came in yesterday and told me that Jim had passed away. I was very upset because he was a terrific guy, and we always loved to see him. He reminded me of my dad, always smiling. He was obviously a person of quality and accomplishment, although he never bragged or acted superior. I always tried to get him talking about Chicago, because listening to him made me feel like I'd been there (I always wanted to go and haven't made it yet.) I wanted you to know that Jim was very special, even to those of us who just knew him casually. There is no consolation for losing such a person, except to know that he was an exceptional soul on earth, and will remain an exceptional soul always.

May 28, 2010

Rita, I was so saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I looked for the two of you at the last retiree luncheon and was disappointed that you did not attend. Jim was always so kind whenever we would come in contact over all those years. I know Bob had much respect for Jim. My heart goes out to you, Sheila and Maureen. God bless you. Trudy

May 28, 2010

Sending many prayers for peace and wonderful memories to the Roach family.
Shelly Steinberg (co-worker of Shelia)

Tina Quackenboss Silverio

May 27, 2010

Heartfelt sympathies to you... Rita, Sheila, and Maureen. Your whole family are such a part of my childhood memories. You'll be in my prayers.

ellen quackenboss

May 27, 2010

We have many fond memories of our times together. Please accept our deepest sympathy. You are in our prayers.
Ellen & George Quackenboss

Charlie Gantner

May 25, 2010

Our prayers and thoughts are with your family. Jim was a great friend and honorary uncle to Tammy and Sherry. We have many wonderful memories of fun times with Jim. Charlie and Peggy Gantner

Tammy Sullivan

May 25, 2010

Words cannot express the loss we know you all feel. It was a pleasure and privilege growing up with "Mr. Roach"! Memories of him walking Muffin, watching us play in the pool, teasing us girls at sleep-overs, smoking his pipe, playing the "pipes", seeing his joy at weddings, birthdays and holidays (especially St. Patrick's Day), aways taking pictures, etc..... I am thankful to have and will cherish all the moments. Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you all and always..

Tammy Sullivan and Family

GUS DEMARCO

May 25, 2010

JIM IS GONE BUT HIS STORIES STILL LINGER IN MY MIND.HE MADE ME LAUGH EVEN WHEN WE WERE FACING SOME OF OUR JOB'S BIGGEST CHALLENGES AT ST. LUCIE. RITA,MAUREEN AND SHEILA MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. GUS DEMARCO ( PINEHURST,NC)

Owen Culpepper

May 25, 2010

My deepest sympathy for the Roach family. Jim was a friend of mine and a friend to many others who had the pleasure of knowing him. I'll always remember him as a man who never forgot where he came from. He held many titles but would always consider how decisions he made would affect working people. Jims involvement in the various organizations he participated in speak volumes about himself.
My last memory of Jim was at Local 630's picnic approximately one year ago. We had a ball! May you rest in peace old friend.

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