William (Chuck) Roach

William (Chuck) Roach, 73, of 1131 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away after a lengthy illness May 3, 2002 at La Verendrye General Hospital. He passed peacefully with dignity and honour in his own way and time, surrounded by family.
He was born Oct. 11, 1928 in Garden River, Ont. to the late William and Clara Roach. He went to work at a young age of 14 and his adventures brought him to Northwestern Ontario, where he spent his working life as a logger in the Sapawe and Fort Frances area.
On Nov. 15, 1955, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Klyne, the greatest love and treasure of his life. Together, they raised seven children and were married for 46 years.
He spent his later years working at the mill in International Falls, Mn., until he took an early retirement.
His passion and most proudest moments were watching his sons and grandson, Justin, play hockey. He spent many joyful moments at the arena in Fort Frances being a hockey fan. He was an “original six” Montreal Canadiens fan throughout his life.
In his retirement years, he loved gardening and taking drives in his beloved bush areas around Rainy River District. His entire life spent in Fort Frances gave him a bird’s-eye view of Rainy Lake. He loved the water, the bush, and was at peace when surrounded by his family and friends.
In 1998, he attended a Roach family reunion in the pine grove of Garden River First Nation with his wife, Bubby, visiting his brothers and sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. This was a time of great joy for him.
Chuck and his daughter, Jo, were two peas in a pod and spent many hours talking about his family tree and the significance of those roots. He expressed to all of this children to work hard, love life, and be happy.
He was loved by many, and his door was always open to his friends and family.
He was a storyteller and was proud to be able to say that he helped open up the country through logging and river boat work.
His lifelong friends are many, and those who shared his love of the bush and water spent many hours at Chuck’s table sharing stories of life’s lessons and journey’s.
He was predeceased by his sons, Randall (Randy) in 1999 and Daniel in 1997, and infant son, John, in 1961; and two brothers, James Orville and Michael Roach.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Kathleen; son, David; daughter, Joanne of Fort Frances, Ont., and Bill (Elfredie) Quesnel, B.C., Donald of Thunder Bay, and Sandra of Whitehorse, Yukon; three grandsons, Justin, Alexander, and Jesse of Quesnel, B.C.; and granddaughter, Elizabeth of Edmonton, Alta.
Also surviving are four brothers, Patrick (Dolly) of Fort Frances, John (Brenda) of Garden River, and Maurice (Marie) and Joe (Esther) of Sault Ste. Marie; two sisters, Gladys Boissoneau of Sault Ste. Marie, and Elaine Lesage of Garden River; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much.
Sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna (John) Wood, Judy (Denis) Lambert, Nora Klyne, Shirley Roach, Minnie Roach, Ernie Klyne, and his uncle by marriage, Alfred (Snicker) Veran, also survive.
The family finds solace knowing that he is at peace with his sons, Randy and Dan. The Eagles are flying and heaven has opened its gate to a true patriarch of the Roach Oak tree.
Chuck’s last months were spent in St. Boniface and La Verendrye hospitals. The compassion and care shown by the many doctors and nurses were a blessing. They cared for him and helped the family let him go with dignity and grace. He is now at peace.
“I have roots stretched in the earth, they are the deepest part of me.” Remember my roots and let them grow and be remembered with respect, honour and integrity.
You will be forever loved and missed, Bubby, children, and grandchildren.
To celebrate and honour his life, we the family welcome friends and family to a memorial service Monday, May 6, 2002 at 7 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances.
Honourary pallbearers will be Joe George, Dempsey Calder, John Wood, Ernie Klyne, Lynn Norris, and Helmer Berglund.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Kenora-Rainy Lake Lung Association, Box 67, Kenora, Ont. P9N 3X4.