Donald Anthony Roache

DONALD ANTHONY ROACHE, of Ellicott City, MD passed away peacefully on August 4, 2019, at the age of 98, with his two youngest daughters by his side. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Louise (nee Murphy), and is survived by his eight children, Sandra Luebkert, Pat Quade (Bruce), Glenn Roache (Debbie), Jeanne Holsey (John), Peggy Roache (Neil Kreeger), Brian Roache (Stephanie Doodigian), Eddie Roache (Susan Mitchell), Donnie Roache (Paige),15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, his sister Regina Coakley, and many nieces and nephews.

Don was born on Oct. 26, 1920 in Washington DC to Cora Agnes (nee Hayden) and Philip Roache, the 3rd of four children. He graduated from Gonzaga High School in 1938 and received an accounting degree from Benjamin Franklin University in 1949. He served in the Navy during World War II. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army reserves around 1950 and was called to active duty during the Korean conflict where he was assigned to the Office of the Surgeon General of the Army. He retired from the reserves as a Major after 23 years of service.

Following World War II Don began a 34 year career in the Federal Government being employed by the Veterans Administration, the Department of Defense and the Department of Health, Education & Welfare. Following his Federal service he was employed by Maryland’s Department of Health, first as a full time employee and later as a part time consultant.

He was very active in the Knights of Columbus and served as both Treasurer and Financial Secretary in various chapters. He served as a lector and Eucharistic minister at Seton parish in Crofton, Maryland, at St. John of the Cross in Vero Beach, Florida, and at Heartlands Senior Living Village in Ellicott City, Maryland, where he lived for the greater part of the last 12 years.

Don was passionate about baseball and often reminisced about going to Washington Senators games with his father as a young boy. When baseball returned to DC in 2005, he became an instant and loyal “Nats” fan. He was also a dedicated Washington Redskins fan, loved to swim, play tennis and travel. But his greatest joy in life was the love of his family.

The family will be receiving visitors at the Harry H. Witzke's Family Funeral Home, 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, MD on Friday, August 9th from 2 – 4 PM and 6 – 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Paul Catholic Church in Ellicott City, MD on Saturday, August 10th, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Gilchrist Hospice or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Anthony Roache, please visit our floral store.