Obituary of Raymond G. Roach, Jr.

Raymond G. Roach, Jr. of Delhi, our loving husband, father and grandfather, passed peacefully into the hands of his Lord and Savior on August 23, 2017.

 Ray was born on March 23, 1924 in the Bronx, NY and was the son of Raymond G. Roach, Sr. and Mildred Waring Roach.  While growing up in the Bronx, he spent many of his summers in Delhi with the Waring family.  It was during those summers that he fell in love with the small town where he would eventually make his home.

 Upon graduating from high school Ray enlisted in the United States Army.  His time in the Army started at Cornell University studying engineering but he was soon part of the 100th Infantry Division.  He deployed to Normandy after D-Day.  He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds he received while fighting for the country he loved.

 After returning to the States, Ray continued his education at Syracuse University where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting.  He began his business career working as an auditor for Travelers Insurance in Syracuse.

 Ray continued to visit his family in Delhi and on one of his trips he met the love of his life, Helen Stott.  They were married on September 4, 1949 and were inseparable for the next 67 years.  Their devotion to each other has been an inspiration to many. They lived in Syracuse for a while after marrying and then decided together, in 1952, that Delhi was where they wanted to live and start a family.

 Ray went to work for The Delaware National Bank of Delhi in 1952, starting as a teller.  He worked his way through the ranks and was appointed President on January 1, 1974.  Ray always focused on people as much as, or more than, the numbers.  He was known to approve loans with just a handshake and turned down some loans that the person later thanked him for denying.  He just seemed to have a knack for making the right decision.  He retired as President in 1989 but continued on as Chairman of the Board of Directors until stepping down at the end of 1990.

 He served the community as a volunteer with the fire department and the ambulance squad.  He served on the board of the Delhi Telephone Company and the Cannon Free Library and was a member of the Kiwanis Club.  He was also a founding member of the Delhi College Golf Course.  In 2017 Ray was a 60-year Mason with the Delaware River Lodge No. 429 F&AM.  

 Ray was a man of great faith and was a parishioner at St. John’s Church in Delhi, where he served on the vestry for many years, St. James Church in Lake Delaware, and the Hamden Presbyterian Church.  The family would like to thank Father Darius Mojallali and Deacon Nancy Truscott for the pastoral and spiritual care they have provided to both Mom and Dad, especially during this past year.  It was a great comfort to the family.

 Ray filled his time with family, work, reading and golf and continued to play that game regularly with his brother-in-law, Elmer Clark, until just a few years ago.  He was a lifelong Yankee fan and you could count on the game being on TV when you stopped by for a visit.  He was always there to lend a helping hand to his children, as well as his brother Clyde and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

 He is survived by his loving wife Helen; his children, son: Paul and Tish Roach and grandson Anthony of Delhi; daughter: Carol and Bill Kelly of Albany; and son: Mark and Lisa Roach and grandsons Tyler and Kyle of Latham; sister-in-law Angie Roach of Valrico, FL and many cousins, nieces and nephews who all held a special place in Ray’s heart.

 In addition to his parents, Ray was predeceased by his brother Clyde Roach, brothers and sisters-in-law James and Anna Stott, Irma and Elmer Clark and a nephew Michael Stott.

 Funeral services for Ray will be held at 12noon on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 134 1/2 Main Street, Delhi. Burial with full military honors will follow at Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Ray can be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 121, Delhi, NY 13753.