Person:Thomas Roach (8)

Birth: unknown Death: Sep. 28, 1936

Father Michael Thomas Roach was born in Mara Township, Ontario, on July 31, 1 872, the son of Thomas Roach and Cecilia McGrath. He died at Toronto, Ontario, on September 28, 1936.

Father Roach began his education in a local school. His parents later moved to Toronto to afford their children the advantages of a Catholic education. He entered St. Michael's College in 1889 and six years later went to St. Basil's Novitiate, Toronto, where he was received as a novice on September 9, 1895.

After first profession he continued his studies at St. Michael's College, 1896-98; Assumption College in Windsor, Ontario, 1899-1900; and St. Basil's Seminary in Toronto, 1898-19 and 1900-01. He was ordained priest on July 28, 1901.

After ordination Father Thomas Roach taught mathematics at St. Michael's College until 1907 when he was sent to Kalamazoo, Michigan, to open Gibbons Hall. Two years later the Congregation withdrew from this high school and Father Roach was appointed to St. Thomas High School in Houston, Texas. When the Congregation took over the direction of St. Thomas College, Chatham, New Brunswick in 1910 he was sent there as treasurer. Four years later he went to St. Basil's College in Waco, Texas. When this institution was closed in 1915 he was appointed to Assumption College. In 1916 he was named pastor of St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish in Owen Sound, Ontario. After nine fruitful years there he moved to Assumption Parish, Windsor, as assistant. He was treasurer of St. Basil's Novitiate in 192728, then in 1928 received his last appointment, to St. Anne's Parish in Detroit, Michigan. In 1933 he was found to be suffering from diabetes and at the time of his death in 1936 was being treated in Toronto for cancer. He was buried in the Basilian plot, Mount Hope Cemetery, Toronto.

Father "Tom" Roach was a good financial man who served as treasurer in every house to which he was appointed. The partiality he had for concrete floors, walks, verandas were expressive of his physique and personality -- rugged, strong, enduring. In his younger days he was a fine athlete. The Basilian Centennial Volume, St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish noted his continuing love for the outdoors, "Father Roach still maintained an enthusiasm for outdoor life, especially hunting. Year after year he took his holidays during the deer season, and usually brought back a supply of venison."

In parish work, Father Roach was a wonderful preacher whose sermons were filled with practical advice suited to the needs of his congregation. He was tremendously popular with country people. In Owen Sound he published the Golden Jubilee Volume of 1921.

Sources: Basilian Archives in Toronto; Basilian Centennial, 1863-1963, St. Mary's of the Assumption Parish (Owen Sound, 1963) Golden Jubilee, 1871-1921, St. Mary's Church (Owen Sound, 1921)-Obituary notice in The Basilian 2 (Nov. 1936) 139; T. Spetz: The Catholic Church in Waterloo County (Toronto, 1916); Yearbook, St. Michael's College (1937).

1. ↑ Church baptism record
   Record at Ch. of the Guardian Angels, Orillia, Ont.; p. 49.

   QUAY 3 "1872" above entry: "Michael Thomas Roach, born Mara on July 31st, baptized on Augt 4th. Son of Thomas Roach, born Ireland and Cecilia McGrath, born Canada; sponsors: Edward Healy, Bridget Healy; b y Andrew W. Sinan."

2.   Find a Grave-.

   memorial # 26665339