Person:Thomas Roach (7)

From: "They Came to Mara", p. 791

"Catherine Brennan Roach and her children were living in Glenelg Township, Grey County by 1861. Precisely when John died was not determined. In 1866, Thomas was married to Cecelia McGrath, of Holland Township. Thomas and Cecelia assumed ownership of the hotel formerly operated by Cecelia's brother, Patrick McGrath. Thomas purchased part of the West 1/2 of lot 11, conc. 3 from the McGraths in 1875.

Most of the children born to Thomas and Cecelia removed from Mara. John became a doctor and lived in Detroit. He married a woman by the surname Powers, who was born in London, Ontario. Thomas and William Roach both became priests.

Martin Roach became a lawyer and had a distinguished military career. After the war, Martin returned home, married and for many years operated a legal practice in Beaverton. Mary Rosella Penelopha Catherine "Minnie", who was the only surviving daughter of Thomas and Cecelia, married John Stehan Kormann of the Toronto area.

George began medical studies, then moved to the Detroit area where John was residing. George became an accountant and worked for an automobile company in Detroit. It was there that he married Mary Ellen Shae. George and Mary Ellen had one daughter, Elizabeth "Betty", who married Frank Egan. After spending some time in Detroit, George and family moved to Brechin to operate the hotel. To this day there are Roach descendents living in Mara." (From an 1982 interview with Frank and Betty [Roach] Egan.)

Cecelia Roach Death Certificate

Thomas Roach Death Certificate

1. ↑ tombstone.

   age 76 at death; born in Carlow, Ireland

2. ↑ tombstone
   LDS Fiche #6051090; Transcription of Tombstones in St. Andrew's R. C. Cem., Brechin, Mara twp., Simcoe Co., Ont.; Row 7, stone 7.

   QUAY 3 ROACH, Thomas, died April 11, 1920, aged 76 years; born in Carlow, Ireland...

3. ↑ obituary
   The Beaverton Express; 15 April, 1920.

   QUAY 3 "...The death in Brechin last week of a veteran hotel-keeper, Mr. Thomas Roach, removed one who...was a strong figure in the affairs of this village and town. He was one of the last of the pioneer res idents of Brechin, who died after a short illness, in his seventy-sixth year, at his residence in the village of Brechin, where he resided for more than half a century. [He]was buried Monday, from St . Andrew's church, Brechin, where a solemn requiem mass was offered by Rev. Thomas Roach, son of the deceased, as celebrant, with Rev. William Roach, another son, as deacon. Mr. Roach leaves his age d wife...Born in Killarney, Ireland, he came to Canada at the age of five with his parents who settled in Dornock, Grey County. Fifty-four years ago he was married to Miss Ceila[sic] McGrath, by th e late father Granottier at Owen Sound. Soon after his marriage Mr. Roach settled in Brechin, where he engaged in the hotel business for a number of years."

4. ↑ obituary.
5.   Thomas' baptism is listed in the records of St. Lazarian Catholic Church in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, Ireland.