QUEENSBURY – Edward “Ned” Roach, 85, formerly of Waverly Place, passed away December 30, 2021 at Saratoga Hospital.
Born on July 18, 1936 in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Leo W. and Catherine (Fraser) Roach.
Ned was a 1954 graduate of South Glens Falls High School. He also received his BS in Education from the Plattsburgh State College.
On July 5, 1985, he married Elizabeth “Beth” Sweet in Glens Falls.
Ned began his teaching career in the Warrensburg School System. In 1962, he moved to Hudson Falls and continued teaching for 35 years in the Hudson Falls School System, until his retirement in 1997.
Ned started coaching basketball at St. Michael’s the Archangel Church in South Glens Falls. Within three years, his team was the Albany Dioceses Champion. For the next 40 years, Ned dedicated his free time to coaching basketball in both the Hudson Falls and Glens Falls Schools.
He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Glens Falls Lodge #81, the New York State Teacher’s Association and a board member of the Hudson Falls Recreation Commission.
Ned loved his family and cherished every moment with them. He spent many hours watching his grandchildren, Mary and Ryan’s basketball games. He was their biggest fan, on and off the court.
Besides his parents, Ned was predeceased by his sister, Marie Paling and her husband, Robert, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Thomas and Mary Sweet, his sister-in-law, Penny Ortiz and his brother-in-law, Jerry Sweet.
Survivors include the love of his life, his wife, Beth Roach of Gansevoort; his step-daughter, whom he loved and was devoted to, Kelly Fitzsimmons and her husband, Scott of South Glens Falls; his two grandchildren, whom he adored, Mary and Ryan Fitzsimmons; his sisters-in-law, Susan Gilbert and her husband, Roger, Ellen Kelly and her husband, Steve and Louise Sweet; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 A.M. on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 80 Saratoga Avenue in South Glens Falls.
The Rite of Committal will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in South Glens Falls, at a later date.
His family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Coppens, Dr. Amy Hogan-Moulton and the staff at the Home of the Good Shepherd of Moreau, for the excellent love and care given to Ned and his family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Hudson Falls Rotary Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 250, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
Kelly,Scott &Family
We are sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. Let your memories comfort you all in this time of need. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joe,Nancy Porlier & Family
Beth and Family
So very sorry for your loss. May all your memories help you through this difficult time in your lives.
Our Sympathy,
Mary & Preston Jenkins
Thanks Mary Preston
Beth & family,
My deepest condolences to you all. May memories of happy times bring you peace.
Love, Belinda Hunt
Kelly, Scott, Beth, Mary, and Ryan, We are so sorry for your loss! Cherish the memories. You are all in our thoughts and prayers!! Karen and Greg
I am so sorry the hear about Ned. I hope that you and your family find peace in the wonderful times you shared. May his memory be a blessing. Sending love and hugs to you all.
Thank you Belinda
I am sorry to hear about Mr. Roach’s passing. He was my 6th grade teacher and one of my favorites. May you find peace and comfort through this difficult time.
When I recall early education experiences at HF, Roach, Potter and Luciano stick out as great teachers, mentors and character. I’m forever thankful for Mr. Roach’s example.
Mr. Roach was my sixth grade teacher at Maple St. Elementary. With his positive outlook, he challenged us to work hard and dream big. In the early sixties our world was very small in HF. I can remember Mr. Roach pointing on a map of the middle east and telling us that in our life time, that area would be tremendously important. He explained that although much of the land was desert, under all that sand lie vast reserves of oil. What a visionary!
Beth, Our sympathy to you and your family.
Sincerely, Kathleen and Jim
I was honored to be one of Mr . Roache’s students at the old Hudson Falls High School.
I have very fond memories of him teaching that class. And also teaching us Christmas Songs in, I want to say, German for a Christmas Concert.
You have my deepest sympathy on your loss of a good man.
Barbara(Phillips) Durham class of 1978
Ned was a great addition to the Hudson Falls teaching and coaching staff. Although I need not see him in the classroom. He was a legend. I did have the opportunity to watch him as a coach and fellow faculty member and he excelled at both. My daughter enjoyed him as her coach and I could see how much he enjoyed them. They learned more than just basketball. He continued to follow them in their other years in Hudson Falls. Those friendly greetings were something we looked forward to get.
My prayer were offered to him and you.
Jackie Andrejkovics