ROACH: In Loving Memory of Lorne Charles Roach who was born August 10, 1930 at Edam, SK and passed away October 13, 2012 at Battleford, SK. Lorne leaves behind to cherish his memory: his loving children: Larry (Sandra) Roach, Gerry Roach, Gina Roach (Ritchie Youst); grandchildren: Brock Youst, Tyson Youst, Janelle Youst, and Tori Roach; great-grandson: Matthew Youst; brother: Pete (Dods) Roach and sister, Mary Hildebrand. Lorne was predeceased by his loving wife, Bernice; parents, Charles & Christina Roach; brothers, Bill & Nick Roach. Service of Remembrance was held Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. from "The Garden Chapel" ~ Battlefords Funeral Service, North Battleford, SK with Rev. Nora Borgeson, Battleford United Church, Battleford, SK officiating. Shared Memories ~ written by Gina Roach and read by Evelyn Cooper. Music Ministry was Organist ~ Glenn Goodman; Soloist ~ Robert MacKay ~ "One Day At A Time" and Hymn Selections ~ "Bringing In The Sheaves" and "Amazing Grace". The Urn Bearer was Brock Youst. Memorials are requested to Alzheimer Society of Sask. Inc. 301 - 2550 - 12th Ave, Regina, SK S4P 3X1. Interment took place at Edam Cemetery, Edam, SK. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. 446-4200. Eulogy Where do I begin to talk about the most important man in my life. Dad was born on August 10, 1930 at Edam, SK to Charlie and Christina Roach. Dad was the 4th child of a family five. He had three brothers, Bill, Pete and Nick and one sister, Mary. At the age of 22 months Dad began living with his Grandma and Grandpa Eysackers. He always said he had a great life with them but I thought it was so sad. Dad began school at Cole School. He rode to school on a pony named Daisy that his Grandpa had got for him. Daisy had a mind of her own and at times Dad would only get about a half mile from home and she would turn around and head back home. Dad's Grandpa would be waiting for them and would have to give her a few hits of the rump with a willow and then they were on their way again. Dad also attended Horse Hill School. In December of 1943 Dad went to Toronto with his Grandparents to visit his Aunt Mary and Uncle Bruce. Dad said it was a very long train ride. They left Edam on December 16th and arrived in Toronto on December 20th. The next day Dad's Grandpa was not feeling well but said he was going to lie down and not to bother calling a doctor (which is what Dad would have said too). His Grandpa ended up having a heart attack and passed away. This was very hard for Dad as his Grandpa was always like a Dad to him and he was only 13 years old. After Christmas Dad attended Second School in Toronto. It was a huge school compared to what he was use to at Edam. In the middle of March, Dad and his Grandma headed back to Edam to look after the farm. Dad was in Grade 8. He had to pass his June exams in order to be able to quit school. He passed and that was the end of his school days. He was probably happy about that as he did not like school. He was very young to have that much responsibility but he never complained. Dad's family was very musical. He played the guitar and him and his family would play at different functions at Edam. Dad married Bernice Wouters on March 12, 1953. They had their first son, Larry, and lived in Edam. Dad worked with his brother, Bill at his garage, farmed and also worked for Lorne Mussell at his general store until June of 1954 when he got a job as a helper at the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool at Meadow Lake. They were only at Meadow Lake for nine months when he was transferred to Lilac to be the elevator agent there. Mom and Dad sure did not like it at Meadow Lake and were excited about the move. Dad was a very hard and dedicated worker. He would talk about how he received a bonus from the Wheat Pool in the fall of 1956 of $235.00. Mom and him knew right away what they wanted to do with that money. They bought their first TV set. Dad had 10.00 left over. On June 1, 1959, Dad was transferred to Maymont. He was very happy about this as a new elevator was being built there and it was going to make his job a lot easier. It was a very high tech elevator for those days and would have electric motors compared to an old diesel engine. Dad also purchased the insurance agency when they moved. He was a very busy man buying grain as well as selling insurance. On October 23, 1959 Mom and Dad had their second son, Gerry, and on October 14, 1964 I was born. Dad was very proud when the elevator handled over a million bushels for the crop year 1982 -1983. This continued until his retirement in October of 1988. He had been buying grain for 34 years. If us kids wanted to see Dad we had to go to the elevator as he seemed to be there more than he was at home. During all of these years Dad had strong ties to the farm at Edam. He would go there on weekends and he was definitely the happiest when he was there. He said he was a "hobby" farmer with his old orange Case tractors and other old machinery but that is all he needed. I would go to the farm a lot as this was a special time for me as I could spend time with my Dad. We would to Edam in his 1952 GMC truck which was called "Henry" and I would sing Charley Pride songs to him all the way. He probably wanted me to stop but the kind man he was he just put up with it. We did not have power or running water at the farm and we stayed in the "shack" which was the old elevator office that Dad had moved from Maymont for us to sleep in. There are many years of treasured memories from the farm. Mom and Dad had cattle at the farm which they both loved. They would get very attached to them and when it was time to sell them they were both very sad. In January 1987 Mom and Dad purchased their first home as they had rented from the Wheat Pool for all of those years. They both took pride in their house and yard and had one of the nicest yards in Maymont. Dad loved to coach Gerry in hockey and watch him, Larry and Mom play ball. He also loved to visit with the farmers and people that would come into his insurance office. As shy as he was the conversations at coffee row were very enjoyable to him for many years. Dad was a great Papa to all of his grandchildren. He would have done anything for them and they were all the apple of his eye. In January of 2009 Dad sold his insurance agency. He had sold insurance for almost 50 years. He was now officially retired and was supposed to enjoy many years of rest and relaxation but things did not work out that way. Mom and Dad had a great life in Maymont for many years. Unfortunately on October 1, 2011, Dad had to move to North Battleford as his Alzheimers was getting worse. He moved just down the street from me to a Personal Care Home and I would go and see him every day. This was very hard seeing Dad change right before my eyes. In December Dad was moved to Battlefords District Care Centre and that is where he stayed until the time of his passing. He was the best Dad that anyone could ask for. In these last few weeks I got the chance to tell him that (which I had told him before) and also to tell him how proud I was of him and how lucky I was to have had him as a Dad. The following are a few adjectives to describe Dad - kind, modest, patient, hard working, thoughtful and gentle. He was a very generous man who would have helped anyone out with anything. He was an all around GREAT man. He was my hero and I will miss his nice smile and beautiful blue eyes. I know he is now in a better place. I will love you and miss you forever Dad. I hope you are at peace now. Until we meet again! Love - your daughter, Gina. ____________________________________________________
