STAFF – Rev. John A. Roach, a member of the Ordination Class of 1958, was called home to God, Saturday April 25.

 

Born April 2, 1933 in Kingston, New York,  the son of Thomas W. Roach and Jane Schnitzler Roach. After graduating from Saint Joseph Elementary School and Kingston High School he pursued higher education at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and graduated in 1954.

 

Having been accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Springfield, he prepared for the priesthood at St. Mary Major Seminary in Roland Park, Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained at St. Michael Cathedral in Springfield May 24, 1958.

 

He was first assigned as a parochial Vicar to Saint Mary’s Parish in Turners Falls from 1958-1968. He was then assigned to Saint Mark’s Parish in Pittsfield and served there as a parochial Vicar from 1968-1976. From 1976 to 1985 he served as Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Greenfield and from 1985-1996 he served as Pastor of Saint Brigid Parish in Amherst. His final Diocesan assignment was as Pastor of Saint Joseph’s Parish in Shelburne Falls from 1996 to 2008.

 

Having established a relationship with the Missionaries of the Poor, he took pilgrims every year to Kingston, Jamaica, their foundational community to engage in the life, ministry and prayer of this Community. In retirement he traveled extensively to Africa, India, and the Philippines ministering to the various Communities of the Missionaries of the Poor. 

 

In retirement he also covered many of the Diocesan parishes when there was a need and also traveled throughout the country speaking in behalf of a favorite Haitian Ministry, “Hands Together” as part of the Propagation of the Faith.

 

In 2016 Bishop Mitchell Rozanski and the vicars for the clergy asked him to be a liaison for all of the retired priests of the diocese, a ministry he cherished and was appointed vicar for retired priests by Bishop William D. Byrne.

 

He is survived by his sister Cornelia Gallagher, his sister Marie Dioguardi and many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews as well as great grand nieces and great grand nephews. He was predeceased by sister Catherine McGrane, brother-in-law Joseph McGrane, a brother Thomas Roach, sister-in-law Audrey Aldrich Roach, his twin brother Charles Roach, sister-in-law Margaret O’Rielly Roach,  brother-in-law Joseph E. Dioguardi, brother in-law Edward Gallagher, sister-in-law Mary Gallagher Roach and nephew-in-law Greg Ryan.

 

His body will Lie in State at Holy Trinity Church of the Blessed Trinity Parish, 133 Main St., Greenfield from 4 pm to 6 pm, with a vigil service at 6 pm. His body will continue to Lie in State Friday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Byrne at 11:00. Committal will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Greenfield, Massachusetts.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Priest Retirement Fund of the Diocese of Springfield, to “The Haitian Project”, to “Hands Together” or to the Missionaries of the Poor. For more information concerning these charities, please visit them online.