ROACH Lacey William – Suddenly on November 5, 2020 in his 92nd year. Predeceased by his cherished wife of 70 years, Kathleen Bridget Roach. Loving father of Dr. Kevin (Anne), Linda, Michael (Deborah), Patrick (Donna), Brian (Debra) and Daniel (Veronica). Caring grandfather of Murray (Deidre), Dr. Maureen, Rebecca (Tony Shuparsky), Meghan (Christopher Harris); Kathleen, Kimberley; Shawn (Alexa), Thomas, Kirsten (Codi Hiebert); Brian Jr., Erin; Cassandra, Christopher, and Liam. Proud great-grandfather of Colm and Moira Roach, Eliot and Theodore Shuparsky, Sophia and Charlotte Harris and Hannah Hiebert.
Predeceased by parents, Edward and Ellen Roach, and brothers, Herbert, Alban, Raymond and sisters Carmel Pigeon, Rita Lemenchick and Olive Shannon. Survived by his brother James (Alice) and sister-in-law, Dorothy Roach. Lacey will be lovingly remembered by his many nieces, nephews and friends.
On January 3, 1944, Lacey became a Bell Canada employee and retired 45 years later after a successful career working in all facets of telephone work. He spent his last 10 years as a technician in the Engineering department. In 2005 he was honoured as one of 125 Bell Heroes when Bell marked its 125th anniversary.
Lacey was heavily involved in his local community all his life. He began this service as a municipal councillor in Stafford Township where he was a driving force in attaining every municipal service possible. Lacey always had an active interest in both provincial and federal politics.
Lacey deemed a good education a priority and supported all six of his children through a post secondary graduation. Locally he served as a trustee on the Renfrew County Board of Education and was soon elected Chairman of the Board in 1978. He was extremely proud of the local hospital and also served as both a member and chairman of the Pembroke Regional Hospital Board. In addition Lacey chaired the Pembroke Public Library Board representing Stafford Township. He always strived through his community service to leave things a little better than he found them. In 2017, Lacey received an Honour of Distinction Medal in recognition of his volunteerism and leadership in conjunction with Canada’s 150 Anniversary.
Lacey always believed in being a Good Samaritan. In 1986 he received from Pope Paul II a knighthood into the highest order that a lay person can receive in the Catholic Church – Knighthood in the Order of St Gregory the Great. He was credited for saving the life of Bishop Windle, who had a car accident on a cold December night. Lacey was also awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Knights of Columbus after many years of service.
In addition to the above activities, Lacey was a keen member of the Upper Ottawa Valley Genealogical Society and wrote four detailed books on his Irish Ancestry. He and Kathleen enjoyed world travel and cherished time spent at the family cottage near Haley Station, Ontario.
Respecting Lacey’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Columbkille’s Cathedral, Pembroke on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at 2 P.M. followed by a private family interment. DUE TO THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS REGARDING COVID-19, A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE PERMITTED AT THE CHURCH AT ANY GIVEN TIME – FACE MASKS/COVERINGS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL MASS. Please feel free to bring your own face mask/covering or one will be supplied to you upon arrival. (Please RSVP at www.nevillefuneralhome.ca or call the funeral home at 613-732-7481 if you wish to attend the funeral mass). For those who wish, donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements by the
Neville Funeral Home
491 Isabella St., Pembroke, ON, K8A 5T8
(613) 732-7481
Online Condolences may be left at www.nevillefuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lacey William Roach Thursday November 5th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Pembroke, Province: Ontario