Royal H. Roach Sr.

Royal H. Roach Sr. ORANGE- Royal H. Roach Sr., 91, of 64 East Main Street, a long time resident of Orange, passed peacefully on Friday evening, December 3, 2004 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol. Born in Saratoga Springs, New York, on August 25, 1913, he was a son of William Herbert Roach and Harriet Briggs Roach . He was married to Anna Urban who died on October 2, 1987. He leaves his long time companion, Shirley Tirrell. He had worked at the L. S. Starrett Company in Athol for a number of years before going on to sell Kaiser and Frazier automobiles. He later became a mechanic and went on to operate a gas station, Royal's Chevron, on East Main Street before retiring. A talented man with a passion for automobiles, he and his good friend, the late Dick Phillips of Athol, were responsible for the restoration of the Orange Historical Society's 1904 Grout steam car originally manufactured in Orange and now housed in the permanent collection of Historical Society's building on North Main Street. His original forte was a Model A Ford restorer and for many years drove a 1930 Ford roadster, traveling many miles through out New England for Antique Car Meets. When Anna died, he sold the Ford and then started restoring a 1925 Nash touring car which he drove until quite recently. Not one to limit his interests to a certain automobile manufacturer, he had many other antique cars which passed through his barn on East Main Street. He was a lifetime member of the Orange Historical Society and was quite often seen with the Society at the annual "Steam Show" in Orange with the Grout car. Survivors include his sons, Royal H. Roach Jr. Of Zephyr Hills, Florida and Rockland, Maine, and R. Edward Roach of Lowell; three grandsons, Steven R. Roach, Timothy D. Roach, and Scott D. Roach, all of Orange; seven great grandchildren, Holly, Mikaela, Leah, Andrew, Alex, Shauna, and Bethany; and many close, caring friends for whom the family is grateful too. Calling hours will be held on Thursday evening, December 9, 2004 from 5-7PM at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, prior to a Memorial service. A Memorial Services will be held on Thursday evening following calling hours, at 7:00PM with the Rev. Vance E. Frank officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Activities Fund, c/o Quabbin Valley Healthcare, 821 Daniel Shays Highway, Athol, MA 01331. Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, is directing the arrangements. Guest register and directions available at www.wittyfuneralhome.com