THOMAS ROACH Obituary

Thomas J. Roach 1942 ~ 2009 Thomas J. Roach of Salt Lake City, UT, passed away December 20, 2009 in Salt Lake City. Born to Thomas E. and Elizabeth Sullivan Roach October 27, 1942 in Akron OH, he was a 1961 graduate of Saint Mary High School. Tom worked at Wilson's CJ of Course and The Peoples Store before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. A medal winning Viet Nam veteran, he served as a fire fighter and aviation crash crewman aboard the carrier USS Oriskany CVA-34. Tom, or as he was known by his long time friends in Utah, "TJ", was fiercely independent, frequently incorrigible and unfailingly loyal. Prior to his retirement he worked as a commercial and residential mover. Preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, he is survived by sisters: Elizabeth (Alan) Clark, Anderson, IN; Mary (Cathy Lindamood), Hilliard, OH; and brothers: John (Diana), Columbia, MD; Philip (Jennifer), St. Petersburg, FL; Michael (Janet), Indianapolis, IN; and Patrick, Valrico, FL. Also survived by nieces: Amy Wright; Hilary Pohl; Emily Hanafin; Megan Roach; Abigail Roach and nephew Michael Roach. Tom will be dearly missed by good friends Todd Underhill and Pam Narons of Red Bluff, CA. There will be a private memorial service at a later date. Condolence messages may be sent c/o John Roach, 7305 Rocky Creek Dr. Columbia, MD 21046. The family suggests that those wishing to make a contribution do so to the Fisher House Foundation Serving Military Families in Need at 111 Rockville Pike Suite 420, Rockville MD 20850-5168.