Tom Roach of Northeast Philadelphia was a leader, adventurer, and loving son, husband, father, and grandfather.
Tom was a pioneer of wreck diving on the East Coast. He led many expeditions, exploring the sunken ships from New York to North Carolina, reclaiming lost artifacts. In his older years, he crafted educational programs for the Maritime Museum in New Jersey to showcase the donated artifacts and increase knowledge on the sunken vessels.
An expert marksman, he was involved in the local Hunting Club and won many shooting competitions. Tom also earned his civilian Parachute Jump Wings.
A loyal employee of Bell Atlantic Telephone, he enjoyed restoring telephone service to his customers. Tom showcased his leadership skills at work too by acting as a union representative to advocate for fellow employees as required.
He instilled the values of loyalty and integrity in his children, proud of both of their services to the country, his son as active duty Navy, and his daughter as a career civil servant, also for the Navy.
His grandkids remember how much Tom liked to tell stories of his adventures and travels. He also took the time to teach his middle grandson how to “thread the needle” to become a star flag football quarterback.
Together with his wife of almost forty-nine years, they enjoyed boating and driving sports cars in road rallies.
Tom proudly selected to be an organ donor and would be happy that his donation aided another go out and live their own adventures!
Memories
By Tom Roach
Written in 1982
Times of the past are meant to be kept,
For many of these over, which we wept
We have little to cherish but thoughts of the past,
As joys of today will fade ever so fast.
Memories should be stored in the mind,
For a time when they will bring us a strength to find,
The love and the hope that has eluded us so long,
But there all the time to keep us so strong.
We go along in life wondering why,
And cling together looking for clearer sky.
Walking down the road without any end,
Accepting without doubt whatever fate will send.
To follow the unknown wherever it may lead
While charging forth astride noble steed,
Is to toast the wine of life to the past
Knowing and not caring that it may well be the last.
So as we live from day-to-day,
The ghosts of the past are us to stay
And if you wish to journey this road
Memories of the past will help carry the load.